A DETECTIVE'S STORY.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 55, 6 October 1864, Page 3

A DETECTIVE'S STORY.

During a short visit of the writer to London, I was invited by a friend to visit the Central CriminaJJOourt. "We readily acquiesced, and the next morning found us within the court-house, eagerly listening to the various sui s pending. A gray-haired man, with tottering steps, attracted my attention ; and being told than he had long been connected with the police, I sought an introduction, the better to satiate my thirst for a knowledge of passing events. I found him an agreeable and extraordinary man, and one possessing a lar^e amount of common sense. He was free and easy in conversation, and seemed quite willing to impart any information I desired. After a short but interesting interview, principally relating to passing events, he related the following extraordinary talc, it being his maiden adventure as Bowstreet runner : — " Shortly after my appointment as a member of the police staff, I was aroused quite early one morning by the chief, who desired an immediate interview. It was a sing alar case, and as he related the incidents, the blood fairly leaped through my veins. I now had an opportunity to show my pluck, for which I had long been desirous. It was a mysterious affair, and the wooden-headed officials of that day — before steam and the electric telegraph aroused the nobler pewers of men — declared it a useless and extravagant waste of money to attempt the ferreting out of the villains. " A young man was sent to one of the banks with a large suni of money for deposit. In a few moments he returned, much excited, and declared that the money had been stolen ; but when, and by whom, he knew not. Here was a mystery to be unravelled ; for the youth was considered perfectly honest, and his employers believed him guiltless of the crime. " But something must be done. If a band of outlaws were about they should be brought to justice ; and,' after a long interview with the chief, I was detailed to perform this arduous duty, little dreaming that I should be successful. > I speedily made arrangements to unveil the painful secret. " Month after month passed ; I worked unceasingly, but nothing satisfactory came to light. I feared that success - -would not attend me, and became almost disheartened,, believing that no living man could ferret out the diabolical deed. " About this time the youth, Willie Johnson, left his employer, and began studying for the ministry. There was nothing wonderful in this event; but something seemed to wliisper, ' Now is your time ; be active, and success will attend you.' The next morning, as I was walking down Bondstreet, dreaming of past events, a stranger accosted m«. ■;■ - : -'■ a - •■ • ■• '"You are the very man -I "have been searching for. this morning ; fpr, l^ 1...' am^ told, .that., you {are trying to obtain information concerning Borne. money which was stolen -months ago."' ; I nodded assent^and he continued : „ ■ '" If you will 7 come to the — — -s : - at precisely wx o'clock.this evening, youmay receive some light < upon the subject.' j "The stranger immediately withdrew, and passed out of sight: For a mpment^rwas bewild- . ered, but quickly recovered my senses, and then atfempted to follow the "youth and obtain more minute particulars. But l«f was" gone ;no one could tell mejwhere, fornQno had seenChim pass. Mys-! tery of mysteries, seemed a-strange,—inconipre--nenßibteiuystery^ •» -; £ >-* *- '- v* ~ **• ./ " During the long hours of the day I was utf— ; oommonly nervous, •*l6nging*far the appointed 'nour.to come for I had concluded to be .present, an^^gMu^^allHlfevSirftJrmitib'n l>&«ffl<r. "^Lorifj before the above mentioned hour, nad come I was j .v./v •:.: ".- . ... ,' ' -• '"•■'

in the , eagerly scrutinising every person prcsentfbufrfaile#l^lreto^ A few monljrats elapsed, ,^d^rill^,Jolinson,htir4 riedly P a jggJL^_Z^" jfefoj. H ffiff.ffifo'f wi3ung~farirmomem^ out of sight. 'Everytliing f seem'ecl| turrtejl -upside aoTrrf.'aiia-I TraVin ftn extra6fdinfiry Wdd:'-***" "' Strange,' I muttered, 'the people all appear to be phantoms. " The clock struck six.andlwasmostuncommonly anxfofo /o.rSie fs^nger to^Qnie? sa*3&& the moments passed, that I had, been made the scapegoat of Bome^unprjjtt<upled^wit., But in a few miuutes the* door openfed," and"my mdming companion entered.' He nodded, - passed along, and motioned me to follow: We entered a small room,: carefully closed the door, and took seats besido a; cheerfill fire. l?6r an hoUr;we' communed together, ivnd then. I left the room -with a clearer mind, a quicker step: Tlie;.njystery;jil;l^gfch;,was > |plved; all seemed clear as the morning sunshine. The stringer had revealed • startling - fact^ of a most painful character. ... ..-..,, ... . " He and Willie Johnson ■■ had committed the theft, with an understanding that the money should bo equally divided but, "since the excitement had abated,- Willie claimed.tbe whole, leaving him minus a penny. He wished to be reven- ■ ged, and had taken that opportunity to confess.his ' giiilt and inaplicate Willie. '■ '"'■"'- *"■'" 5i ■'"""' " I hurried to head-quarters, and very soon pro- ; cured assistance and then began' to search for the < knave. -During that night, and the day we 1 were active, arid - at : nightfall-* caged the ; unprincipled scoundrel as he was leaving his j lodgings. He was' greatly surprised, and prattled ' much of his innocence, awearingrjthat ho would have revenge for such, 'as lief termed it, outrage-ous-proceedings. He was safely ilocked up ; ;and, then I sought the chief and told him ofmy success relating the many events which had- transpired ■. " . My . star , : was , in : the' ascendant— -glorious thought. Johnson's trial came »n ; and it. caused a very exciting time I assure you. ' '< Learned and eloquent counsel were in attendance, and the people came in dense crowds to witness the proceedings. The scene opened. The clerk read the charges, and the judge put -on !hi3 spectacles. The trial lasted four days, and Johnson was committed. Then, when his hope expired, he confessed his guilt, relying uponKthe mercy of the court. A strange tale he related— a life-scene painful in the extreme. " Before coming to London he often preached for the Methodists in a country town, and. there his first vile act transpired. Among his congregation was the daughter of a poor labourer, a 1 sweet fascinating girl. An unholy ■ desire seized his bosom on beholding her beauty, and he soon formed her acquaintance. Unacquainted - with the world, and possessing an unsuspecting nature, she was easily influenced— more easily, perhaps, by one who professed to be _ a follower of Christ. She was led astray, and yielded up her virtue to the luring wiles of the treacherous seducer.- .A child was born ; but . the vile wretch Jiad fled, leaving the blighted maiden to die of grief. " He journeyed to a distant village, and again began preaching. For months he was respected for his known talent and supposed virtue ; but he could not long abstain from sin. At length the congregation beholding an improper intimacy exist ing between Mm and a member of the little flock, drove him from their midst a thrice-crowned villain. "He came to London ; and, possessing a manly appearance, won the confidence of all he chanced to meet. But during those years of arduous toil, he was perfecting a villainous plot — a scheme to rob his unsuspecting employers. How he succeeded you already know, and I have tried to give you a short account of his final capture. " He stated that he wished to become an active preacher, and had stolen the money for the purpose of procuring a more liberal education. But lie lias learned one lesson, that trying to steal a profession often brings a man into disgrace.',