North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-05-31
c,RcuMsrANr1AL EVIDENCE.

bbis the uncertainty of crcumstantial evidence, and
shows that it should not be considered conclusive
when involving previous good character. The facts
do credit however, to the magnanmiy OF the gentle
man who was supposed to be robbed, well as to
faithful servant similar instance occurre ed some
wears ago in Kentucky, where old and trusted
servant was accused of robbing her master. The cir
cumstances were strong against her, and if we mis-
take not, she actually confessed the crime. She was
Sold but the master afterwards discovered that she
was gui.tess, and that the missing property was stu
in his possession. Acting under generous impulse
which did honor to his nature, he published state
ment of the whole transaction fully exoneratng he
from blame, and expressing deep regre. for his nasty
Judgment. We agree with the journal from which
the following is taken that 50 instructive lesson
may be derived from such facts.
From the Lynchburg Virginian.
| A few nights ago Maj. Lewellen of Halifax U
! H., lodged at the Washington Hotel in this place
and having large amount of money with him' ne
was very particular on retiring to bed, to secure Il
about his person. On awaking next morning, ne
discovered his pocket books all in place. as well
as the roll in which most of the money was In one
of the pocket books he had 5000, in another $o7 In
10 which he had divided the money, tor particular
purposes but having occasion to leave his room IN
some haste, he had laid the two pocket books on the
table. During his absence Billy, servant OF the
Hotel, went into the room and discovering the pocK
ct books exposed on the table, took them and placed
them under Maj Jewellers carpet bag, and as soon
the latter in, Billy informed him what ne mad
done. The Major thanked him for his care and put
them in his pocket, thinking no more OF the matter
Having occasion, how ever, during the day tc
open the wallet containing 57, toshs astonshment he
discovered the fty-dollar note was missing. He I'M
medately repaired to the Hotel and acquainted the
Clerk with his loss and detailed the circumstances OF
the morning as they occurred in his room. Regard
nu Billy as a most trustworthy servant, the Clerk
was completely astounded at the revelation, and I'm
mediately went to the private residence OF colonel
Langhorne the Proprietor OF the Hotel, tor lnsruc-
lions how to proceed On learning that MIR. Norris
(the Clerk) was at tie door waiting to see Colonel
ianqhorne Billy the suspected servant remarked to
another :. Mr.. Norris reckon, has come up to see
about Maj Lewellen's pocket book thus lndlca-
ting an anxiety about the matter which confirmed Inc
suspicions of guilt that already existed against him.
Billy was taken back to the Hotel, and In the exam
nation to which he was subjected, involved himself
into repeated inconsistencies and contradictions, all
the while manifesting the greatest conusIon and I'M
easiness but ut the same time protesting shis nno-
cence and promising to raise the money out OF his
own means if they would give him little time. As
soon as he got opportunity he made off to his wife
house. he says order to be the FIRST to break the sad
news of the difficulty in which he was involved, to
g the partner of his bosom !" because he knew she
would be distressed if she heard it from any body
else and because he knew she would credit has as
severaton of innocence but every body else thought
RilIv had zone to hide or destroy the money.
The protracted and rigid examination however dis
closed no new facts and the money was given over as
lost and rendered bv Col. Langhorne 10 Maj. Lew
ellen who refused to receive it. The circumstances
left scarcely doubt as Billy's guilt, but it was
deemed best 10 let the matter rest for while; and
with this understanding, Maj. Leween started home,
minus ffty dollars. Since Maj. Jewellers depart
ure some facts have come to light which are dis
closed in the following letter.
CAMPBELL Court House., May 5, 1851.
James Lungh0rne, Esq:
DEAR SHIT is with sincere pleasure | inform
YOU that Billy is entirely innocent OF taking my lost
fifty dollar note l delayed my Journey nome ms
morning. to see Mr.. Dinwidde, hoping that by some
mistake, the fifty dollars was in his possession. On
sight asked him whether had not the day before
paid 10 him fifty dollars in two twenty dollar bills
and one dollar bill? Ee replied that had done
So and that he had not unrolled the money since It's
receipt Then taking out the roll of money, we found
the lost ffty dollars attached the lower twenty dol
lar noteI This equally surprised us bcth-out my
pleasure in relieving Billys character OF all suspi-
clio by this discovery much greater than that
derived from the recovery of my money. trust that
Won will make my humble apologies TO Billy. de-
tailed to you all the circumstances which excited
suspicion of Biilys guilt and my consolation Is that,
they were of such character as apparently 10 point
to Billy only, who is happily relieved.
Very respectively yours,
JOHN S. LEWELLEN.
This is a very happy and romantic termination OF
what the Major and Billy doubt regarded as very
the Hotel, Billy's wife, if by special arrangement
of Providence. happened to be passing by the door,
when she was Immediately called in and the letter
read to her and Billy the same time by MI. Nor
rs who saws he has seen happiness exhibited in va
rous Degrees but to such an extent as the poor
negroes manifested. :" knowed you didn't b1ieve
was guilty, Mary, said the happy husband. ., NO.
Billy, kno wed you dd'nt steal DAT money bless
de Lord, I'm happy, responded his overJoyed
Spouse"
LEAP FOR LIFE. AS the supervisor of inland
revenue at Aberystwilh, MIR. J. Miller, his nephew,
ard two professional gentlemen geolegsts' were last
week examining strata of rocks in the cliffs be-
tween Aberystwith and Llanrhy std, they proceeded