Litchfield enquirer., 1834-05-15
Fer u. Philaaslphia lnqnirsr.

recently TOOK pace W NeW~I Otks NJuc -
the most respectable physicians, who resides
. ia the upper part of Broadway, was, while
attending the Italian Opera one evening, rob-
bed Df his watch. Il was a family piece. and
had been handed down from father TO son for
several generations; hence It was priced Iar
beyond its real value. In order TO rcga'n u, "
possible, the physician advertised for . 70
everalpuhlic Journals afthe day, offering 3 100
for its recovery, and s''no questions TO be ASK
ed the person who should return It. few
days after the publication of the advertise
ment, he received a note through the post of
fee, stating that if he would appear in the bar
rODn ut the opera house, at a certain hour on
y designated evening" the watch would be re-
turned. The physician laughed at the note,
hut, nevertheless, so anxious was he To gain
his watch, that he determined 10 attend the
opera. Accordingly, at the hour designated,
he appeared 10 the bar rooms and after look
ing round upon the company for few min
utes, without observing any one who seemed
DESTROYS of an interview !, returned into ono Of
the boxes. Still anxious, hssa few minutes
after again passed into the rootn II was COM
parativeiy vacant, but he had been tllcre hut
a few seconds when fne tall genteelly dress.
ed young man came up to him, and with a
sivefy voice and affable manner, inquired the
hour. The physician hesitated a minute, cast
an inquisitive glance on the stranger, and oh
served, with somewhat Of irritation, that some
scoundrel had short time before robbed him
Of his watch. Indeed !" coolly replied the
stranger, aud drawing an old fashioned gold
watch from bis pocket, he held il before the
physician. and with smile observed, "the
true time, believe, SIR"
The physician Immediately recognized the
stolen watch, and made an effort to grasp il.
The stranger stepped back a few PAGES, and
coolly observed that ..he had attended the
opera as man ofhonor, expecting 10 meet a
man Of honor. You advertised your watch"
he continued, "and pledged your honor as a
gentleman TO reward with 500, the individu-
al who should return il TO you. We nAeet,
therefore, so FAR asthe LAW Is concerned, usson
neutral ground; here is your watch, sir. Mr.
part Of the contract is fulfilled. and / appeal
to you as q gentlemansto perform yosrs."-
The physician hesitaieH After u moments
pause, he took the watch, stating that he did
not expect 10 meet the author Of the note ad-
dressed to him-cOnfessed that he had not
provided himself with the money, but pledged
his word that il the stranger would accompa-
ny him to his residence, the reward should
immediately be paid. " Without hesitation,''
said the stranger; ndputting his arm through
that of the physician, I ~. two walked out Of
the opera house, aud up 1Broadway to the re-
sidenee Of the latter, who promptly handed
fhe supposed r0bbsr hundred dollar note.---
Hepoliiely hDwed and departed. The ply
sician felt much curiosity TO discover the
stranger. conversed freely 90 the subject with
bis frieads, and indeed endeayorcd 10 detect
him IL every way possible, without having re-
course to the police office.
About fortnight after the recovery Of his
nA.k. NAfs .slaA -
son, the hell OF the physician's door was fung
with great violence. Ii was near midnight.
The servant, rOusrd from his Aieep. hurried
down stairs. opened the door and Gshsrsd an
old man into the hall, who 10 the most press.
ing manper demanded to be shown to DR.. s.
10 private. The Doctor was abruptly sum
mOned, and expecting some urgent case de.
manded his immediate attention, hurried
down 10 his study, into which the old man
had already been ushered. He Immediately
commenced stating a case Of extreme distress
--said his wife was snbject 10 temporary fits
Of madness, and bad just been seized. with
paroxysnl Of the most violent character.
4 He proceeded to give an account Of the
case; but before he had entered deeply into
the details, threw, of the cioak in which he
was enveloped, aud the wig in which he was
disguised, and stood before the physician as
tue stranger Ot tUe opera mousse Inc p0yS1s
clan started back with. astonish,nent-the
stranger continued: ~ have chosen a stormy
night. for this visit, sir, but however calm nv
demean0r, youthful my features, or composed
my manncE my life il necessarily one Of
storm. 1t 10 now a fortnight since we met,
and have yow redeemed your promise 70 re-
eeiye your watch and ask no quessions--im-
plying that you sought your property alone,
and not vengeance upon the wretch--I know
the nseaning Of The phrase--who was forced
by his accnrsed destiny 10 seem thief? Can
yon affirm that you have acted a generous
part-an honorable part? You cannot-I
tell you here IN this shadowy room-st this
midnight hour-that you cannot. You have
described me-my person-my appearance
my manner--toa hundred of your particular
friends-haye done every thing hut visit the
Office of the police with detailed account Of
my person and tho whole transaction. You
have forfeited your honor. add even now
shrough your confidential representa- atoms. the
ministers Of justice-the myrmidons of The
poiice-arc eager Cor my arrest--ars hunsing
lne with the spirit Of tigers seeking for a VIC
tim. Sir, beware You provoke despe.
rate man when you make me your foe. lam
no Theft did not iIch from you The watch
which ! restored 10 you. Again say beware.
know yon thoroughly, and wish you well.
But, villain as may be, Ensay not be hunted
down with impnnity." A minute more, and
flsa d0cfnP sx,ns nlnna In h;e rhas,.h.. INA .