Mr. Bluffer and the Monte-Men
by Allan Pinkerton
I have at present in my employ, and have had for a great number of years, at the head of one of the departments of my business, a now elderly man, who is a genuine character. His fidelity and ability in my service have given him the right to my utmost confidence and respect; but he possesses traits of character that have created at different times, for myself, my officers, and large number of employees, almost infinite merriment.
He is known far and wide, as well as among my people, as Mr. Bluffer, which sobriquet was bestowed upon him some years since, by being deputized at Chicago to make the arrest of a notorious criminal who was at that time claiming a large share of public attention, and who had come under my surveillance for capturing.
Although then past the prime of life, and already gray and grizzled, he was determined in whatever he undertook; and though that kind of work was outside of his department, he accomplished his mission successfully, and with such vigor and spirit, that, when the prisoner was brought to my office, he laughingly remarked that his captor was a “cranky old bluffer, and no mistake!” and in honor of the exploit he came to be called “Mr. Bluffer.”