tumbling promiscuously to the floor with a crash that seemed to echo through the halls like peals of thunder. Between consternation at the mishap and efforts to repress uncontrol Watching intently the transports of reconciliation, the fragile sup port underneath gave way, and the detective tumbled promis- lable laughter, the "boys" were in a bad dilemma. However, no bones were broken, and the damage to furniture was too small for consideration. CAPTURED ON A SLEEPING CAR. 295 In a few hours Wales was again on the way to Toledo. The watchful, patient, sleepless detective from Pinkerton's corps, Mr. J. W. Corson, who had taken him up at White House, dogged his steps to the bank, the quarry, the barroom, and the theatre, accompanied him to North Adams and on his pleasure bout to Boston, - still hung on his steps. like an avenging demon. The train passed Erie, Pennsylvania, about four o'clock in the morning. As several of the drafts were collected at Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, bringing the crimes within the jurisdiction of the federal courts of Pennsylvania, Corson was provided with a warrant for the arrest of the robber, which it was necessary to serve within the limits of that state. The detective occupied the same sleeping-car on the journey. As the train thundered into Erie, Corson, pulling aside the curtain in front of Wales's berth, gave him a gentle shake. "What is the matter?" asked the half awakened sleeper, slowly opening his eyes, and as yet not even dreaming that danger was near. "You are my prisoner!" answered Corson, with freezing deliberation and emphasis. "Your prisoner!" echoed the terror-stricken wretch. "There is some mistake here. You have got the wrong man. What have I done?" "Robbed the United States mails," replied Corson, "committed numerous forgeries, and swindled the express companies. Isn't that enough? Your game is played out. You are caged at last, and, what is more, I know all the facts. I shall take you to Philadelphia. If you go along quietly and behave yourself, I will treat you like a gentleman. If you try to make trouble, I shall put you in irons. The manner in which you make the trip depends on yourself." "Do not handcuff me," begged the thief. "I will do just as you say, and make no attempt to escape." Corson took the first train for Philadelphia, and that evening delivered the prisoner into the custody of Superintendent series of events that had ended in exposure, disgrace, and captivity. Wales was born in January, 1846, at York, Sandusky County, Ohio. Ten years later the family moved to Fremont, in the same state, and thence successively to Clyde, Cleveland, Swanton, and White House. At different places the father filled responsible positions, having been postmaster at Clyde, route "Excellent fare, moistened not unfrequently with choice wines, won his entire confidence, and talk he must." agent between Cleveland and Toledo, and deputy United States marshal, holding the last position for six years. Early in the war, young Wales, then a mere lad, enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Ohio Infantry, serving for twenty months, most of the time as orderly to the colonel. After returning home, he found employment a few months as brakeman on the Toledo, Wabash, and Western Railroad, but, LEARNING THE BUSINESS. 299 finding the work disagreeable, threw up the situation, and, in company with his father, built a hotel and restaurant at White House. November 15th, 1866, he was appointed by the post-office department route agent on the Lake Shore Road, and marrying shortly afterwards, located in Toledo. While thus employed, the eating-house burned down, and he used the insurance money to build a home in Toledo. In the year 1867, a line of railway post-offices was established between Buffalo and Toledo, Wales being promoted to a clerkship on the 17th of October, at an annual salary of twelve hundred dollars. These positions, though laborious, are much sought after. A few months later, Mr. Reuben Harmon came on the road to learn the distribution, without an appointment or pay, but with a permit to ride in the mail-room, hoping in due time to be added to the list of the fortunate. Having no special aptitude for the work, and no claim on the regular appointees, Harmon progressed slowly, and was becoming discouraged, when he happened one day to drop into the car of Wales, who invited him to join their set, and volunteered to teach him the mysteries of the trade. The invitation was accepted, and the two got on swimmingly together, the good-natured patience of the old hand matching well with the docility of the new one, who improved so rapidly that he soon received from the department an appointment in the lowest grade of clerkships. They worked at the same table, and became fast friends. At this time, according to the admissions of Wales, he was in the habit of stealing letters supposed to be valuable, having entered upon a course of dishonesty while running as route agent. He appropriated whatever money he found, but destroyed drafts, checks, and that class of securities. The other clerks knew nothing of these peculations, and there is no evidence that the thief was even suspected of criminal practices. With a change of administration came the removal of Wales, which took place June 10th, 1869, the unfortunate Franklin. This was the 29th of March, 1873. On searching his person, they found $233 in currency; a gold watch and chain, valued at $400; one cluster diamond ring, $325; a diamond breast-pin, $225; two diamond shirt-studs, $250; and the memorandum-book already referred to, containing "There is some mistake here. You have got the wrong man. What the address of "R. D. Randall, Newark, New Jersey," written by the forger, and also the name "C. H. Bogart," the alias of Dudley at Buffalo. In addition to the above, there was found quite a package of railroad tickets, covering various lines from the Mississippi to the Atlantic, some unused, and others punched. The pris |