Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-02-04

ny ~. l.. r.
The various incidents comprised in the following
narrative substantially The facts were gath
cred by the writer from one who was at that time
residing in the immediate neghborhood, and conse-
quently possessed knowledge Of the whole trans.
action. In the year 1914, Mr. w. OF Watertown,
Jefferson county, N. ", was appointed Pay Mas
ter General Of the Army, then stationed at Sack
etts Harbor. He was man quite above med.
iocriiy with respect to intelligence, and Of unin-
peached moral character. He was leader in
society, and enjoyed the confidence and respect of
all with whom he associated His wife, Of
whom more particular accoun, is necessary, was
rather above middle stature, and Of somewhat beau.
tiful appearance she possessed mind Of extra
ordinary capabilty, cultivated by the most assiduous
application and her refued 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 model Of
all feminine virtues and accomplishments In en-
tering upon his new Office Mr.. WIS sureties were
Judge X. and Mr.. F.ofihe same town The former
was lawyer Of much distinction, 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 soundness Of Judgment. and
especially characterized by discriminating PEN
etration, 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
possessing unDOunueu commence IN Dls integrity,
did not hesitate TO affix his name TO the bond. Mr.
l.. less conspicuous character, plain, hvnest,
upright farmer, Of considerable wealth, and main
tanning high standing in society. Nor did he for
a moment hesitate 10 sign the bond of Mr. w. with
Judge X. In discharge Of the duties OF his new
office, Mr.. w. accompanied by his wife in the
spring Of 1911, ef Walerlown for Albany, TO re-
ceive there the amount Of public funds necessary
to meet the demands Of the year. The reason Of
his wifes accompanying him is not known and wheth-
er the course taken by her was premeditated one
the reader must Judge They arrived safely at Al
bany, and after spending day or two there, Mr.
w. received money to the amount Of $50, 600, aud
they left for home. They had travelled on their
return as far as Schenectady. when, at a public
house, where they passed the night the trunk con-
tanng the money opened, aud $4,000 abstrac-
ted 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 for the recovery
Of the funds and the apprehension Of the robbers,
but it was all in vain no clue that might lead TO
IFS discovery could be obtained No one dared TO
suppose. or deemed il were possible, that the beau
tiiuI and accomplished person accompanying Mr.
W., and who seemed equally afflicted by his mis-
fortune, could be in any way concerned in the
deed. Nor could the slightest suspicion enter his
own mind, after the matrimonial intimacy Of years,
every possible effort for the recovery Of the lost sum-
and all proving Intellectual, they proceeded their
return, and arrived at WATERFOWL, where all gave
| credence 10 their statement of the occurrence at
| Schenectady and the missing funds having been
satisfactorily accounted for 10 the Government,
nothing worthy Of note transpired ill the spring OF
1915, when Mr.. w. again made preparations for
| going to Albany, TO receive the Government funds
In order to be secure from any felonious attempts
L. ii A.
money in his portmanteau. Strange il may ap-
pear. his wife agaip persisted in accompanying him
| What were Mr.. WIS own wishes with regard to the
matter know not a deeply laid plot. which had
been years in maturing, could not be otherwise
consummated, and consequently no refusal on hi
part could be efectual
! Accordingly they again left home for Albany
on the same GRAND, arrived late and Mr.. w. will
all possible despatch. procured the money (th'
same amount as before,) and Immediately Jeff 70
home, They had proceeded on their way as fal
as Trenton, when the portman,eau containing III,
money was cut open, and $4,000 taken. M
sooner had the robbery been discovered by Mr. w
than by what device know not, Mrs. w. persua
ded her husband that the $4,000 were actual,
stolen, and as they could not by any means maxi
: amends, (for il was more than they were worth)
! would be better to appropriate the remainder lC
their own use, and pretend, they might with equa
propriety. that the whole had been taken. Th
counselings OF his wife aided, as we must believe
by the spirits Of darkness, finally were efectual
and the unhappy man, till then upright in all hi
deeds, consented. 1 r
, The reader must ere this be well aware wher
the SO, 900 were, but Mr. W. did not know, no
did he learn the full inquiy OF the scheme in wbic
he had suffered himself TO become involved unit
considerable time had elapsed, aud the exciiemen
Of the transaction bad in measure subsidized no