I had quite a few adventures while there. I had struck up an
acquaintance with a New York boy, and one evening after work we were
sitting on the grass in front of one of the hotels, and seeing the
patrol wagon passing, I made the remark, "Some poor bum is going to get
a ride," when it pulled up in front of us and we were told to get in. I
tried to argue the point with the captain, but it was of no use. We were
taken to the station, and the others were sent below while I was kept up
for examination. They put me through a light "third degree," measuring
me and noting the color of hair and eyes, size of feet, etc.
Finally they stopped measuring and asking questions, and I waited. I saw
my friend come up and go out of the door; he did not take time to bid me
good-by. I asked the captain if he was through with me, and he did not
know what to say. He apologized, and explained that I had been arrested
because I looked like a man that had escaped from Auburn.
I felt rather sorry for the captain, not because I was not the escaped
prisoner, but because he was so nervous. I could not leave him without a
jolly, so I said, "Captain, if you'll come up to the corner I'll treat,"
patting my pocket in which I had a few pennies.
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