Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-02-18
Select Gales.
From the Norwich Courier.
A TALE FROM REAL LIFE,


cred by the writer from one who was at that time re-
siding in the immediate neighborhood, and conse-
quently possessed knowledge Of the whole transac-
ton. In the year 1914, Mr. w. of Watertown, JEFF
ferson County, N. Y. was appointed Paymaser Gener
al of the army then stationed at Sackets Harbor He
was a quite Ebove mediocrty with respect to in
telligencc, and of unimpeached moral character He
was leader IN society, and enjoyed the respect and
confidence of all with whom he associated His wife
of whom more particular account is necessary, was
rather above middle stature, and Of somewhat beauti
ful appearances she possessed mind of extraordinary
capabilhy cultivated by the most assiduous applca-
ton; and her refined taste and polished manners gave
her access to the best society. She was honored with
the most conspicuous place at social gatherings and
was regarded as a model Of all femenne virtues and
accomplishments. In entering upon his new office,
Mr.. WIS surotes were Judge X and Mr.. T. of the
same town The former was lawyer of much dis
tncton, and had for number of years been Judge of
some of the higher courts of the State of New York.
He was man rarely eQualled for soundncss of judy
ment, and was especially characterized by discrm-
mating penetration, which qualified him well for the
part he bore in the ragical affair am about to relate
He resided in the neighborhood Of Mr.. W., and pos
scssing unbounded confidence in his integrity did not
hesitate to afix his name to the bond. Mr. L., less
conspicuous character, a plain, honest upright
farmer, of considerable wealth. and maintaining hgb
standing in society. Nor did he for moment hest
tate to sign the bond of Mr.. W. with Judao K. In
discharge Of the duties of his new Office Mr. w and
his wife in tho cDrinr of 1911 loft W. tr,o e. Al
bany to receive there the amount of public funds ne
cessary to meet the demands Of the year. The rca-
son of his wifes accompanying MIN is not known and
whether the course taken by her was prcmedated
one, the reader must Judge. They arrived safely at
Albany and after spending day Or two there, Mr.
W. received money to the amount of $4,000, and
they left for home. They had Travelled on their return
as far as Schenectady, when at public house, where
they passed the night the trunk containing the money
was opened and $4,000 distracted. What must have
been the feelings of Mr. w. thus to find one tenth of
the amount entrusted to him stolen! The house was
Immediately searched and every measure promptly
taken fol the recovery of the funds and the apprehe
sion of the robbers but it was all in vain no clue that
might lead to its recovery could be obtained No one
dared to suppose, deemed 1t were possible that the
beautiful and accomplished person accompanying Mr..
w. and who seemed equally affected by his misfortune
could be in any way concerned in the deed. Nor
could the slightest suspicion enter lis own uind after
the matrimonial intimacy of years. of the guilt of his
bosom companion. After making every possible effort
for the recovery of the lost sum, and all proving cnec
fectual they proceeded on their return and arrived at
Watertown, where all gave crcdence to their state
ment of the occurrences at Schenectady and the miss
ing funds having been satisfactorily accounted for to
the government, nothing worthy of note ranspIcd till
the spring of 1875 when MIR. w. again made prepara-
tons for going to Albany, to receive the government
funds. In order to be secure from any ftonious at
tempts he decided to 90 horseback and return with
the money in his portmanteau. Strange as it may APP.
pear, his wife again persisted in accompanying him.
What were Mr.. WIS own wishes IN regard to the mat
ter, know not deeply laid plot which had been
years in maturing, could not be otherwise consumnat-
ed, and consequently no refusal his part could be
effectual.
Accordingly they again left home for Albany on the
same enaud, arrived late, and Mr. W. with all possible
DESPATCH procured the money, [he same amount as
BEFORE and Immediately left for home. They had
proceeded on their way as far as Trenton, when the
portmanteau, containing the money was cut open and
$4,000 taken. No sooner had the robbery been dis
covered by Mr.. W., han by what device | know not,
Mrs w. persuaded her husband that as the $40 GOO
were actually stolen, and they could not, by any
means make amends, for it was more than they were
WORTH it would be better to appropriate the remainder
to their use, and pretend, they might with c.
quail proprcty, that the whole had been taken. The
counsengs of his wife, aided, as VIC must believe by
the spirits Of darkness, finally were eectual and the
unhappy man, till then, upright in all his deeds con
scented.
The reader must, ere this, be well aware where the
$4,000 were, but Mr.. w. did not know, nor did he
learn the full iniquity of the scheme in which he had
suffered himself to be involved, until considerable time
had elapsed, and the excitement oftlo transaction had
in measure subsidized, Not till then did Mrs. w
dare to disclose to him the full depth of her guilt But
to resume the narrative at the point where we left 1t
the robbery at Trenton. After the remainder of the
money had been safely concealed about the person Of
Mrs. W., the alarm given, and the extent Of the
robbery was shown by the rent and rcd portmantcau
the house was searched, individuals aPprehendod upor
suspicion, rewards offered, and every measure which
the fertile Imagination of Mrs w. could invent to give
pausDility to the statement, was carried into effect
As we may suppose, all was Intellectual for the recoy
cry of the money The missing money was missn!
still After the return of Mr. and Mrs. w. to Water
town, in great apparent detection at the loss of sue
an amount of money! their "pain, unverhshed tale,
agreeing perfectly when told by either their well al
fected sorrow and above all the character preyousl
sustained by Mr., W. for honesty and integrity, lett
the minds of most no room to doubt the truth of tn
statement The bondsmen of Mr.. W., though RUNE
in property, deemed it policy to affect to believe tn
whole at least, till some discovery might be made
justify suspicion. About this time an invalid officer
the army at Sacketts IIarbor not being able to peor
his duty, came to Waterown for medical aid, ar
took lodgings in the family of Mr. w. In a few da!