Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-19
singular caxe " ClrcHnnStantis

dencc deserves 10 be noticed, d. well
show the insecurity ofalwnys relying upo
that species Of proof, as % disabusc u
public mind Of all suspicion against faiil
ful servant whose character has been il
volvcd in tho transaction we are about
relate.
A few nights ago Maj. .I.ewellsn.
Halifax ell, lodged at the Washingto
Hotel IN this place, and having . large
nichnt OF money with him. he was yer
particular on retiring to bed, to secure il
bout his persoh On awaking next mors
ing, he discovered his pocket books wcr
all in place, as well as the ron in whic
most Of the money was. In one Of ,h
pocket books he had 5000, in another SD
into which he had divided tho money "a
particular purposes; but having occasic
to leave his room in some haste, he ha,
laid the two pocket books on the tabl.
During his absence. Billy, a servant Of III
Hotel, went into the room and discovering
the pocket books exposcd ON the tabl.
took them and placed them under Ma
Lewellen's carpet bag, and as soon Ms ii
latter came in, Billy informed him wha, b
had done. The Major thanked him "a
his care and put them in hts pocket, think
ing no more Of the matter.
l
Having occasion, however, during III
day to open the wallet containing S57, Il
his astonishmcnt he discovered the fifty
dollar-note was missing, He immcdia,ely
repaired to the Hotel uhd acquainted III
Clerk with his loss and detailed the c,
camstanccs ofthc morning as they occurred
IN his room. Regarding Billy as mos
trustworthy servant, the Clerk was con
pletcly astoundcd al the revelation, AM
Immediately went TO the private rcsidcnc
OF Col. Langhcrnc. tho Proprietor Of ,hl
Hotel for instructions how to procecd.-|
On learning that Mr., Norris (the Clerk
was at the door waiting to see Col. Lang
horne, Billy the suspected servant, remark
ed to another, "Mr. Norris I reckon, In
come up TO see about Maj. Lcwellcn'
{ pocket book'--thus indicating an anxicr
about the matter which confirmed the sus
picions of guilt that already existed agains
him. Billy was taken back 10 the Hotel
and in the examination 70 which he waI
subjected, involved himself IN repeated in|
consistencics and contradictions, all tbl
while manlicsting the greatest confusion
aud uncas'ncss, but al the same time pro|
testing his innocence, and promising ID
raise the money out of his own means il
they would give him little time. As soor|
us he got an opportunity hcmadc oil to hi
wiie's ho,isc, he says, in order to be thd
.frst to break the sad news Of the difficult,
IN which he was involved, TO "thc partner
Of bis BOSOM because he knew she woulc
be distressed if she heard it from any bod
else, and because he knew she would cred
Il has asseyeratlon Of innocence; but every
body else thought Billy had gone to hide
or destroy the money.
1 The proiructed and rigid examination
however disclosed no new facts. and ii,
money was given over us lost, and tender
f ed by Col. Langhorne to Maj Lewellei
who refused to receive it. The circum
| stances leit scarcely a doubt as to Billy,
r guilt, but it was deemed best 10 let III,
, matter rest for while; aud with this I'm
, dcrstanding, Maj. l.. started home, miau
!. fifty dollars. Since Maj. Us departure
> some new facts have come to light which
!, are disclosed in the following letter;
CAurpsLL Cornr llousr, May 0, 1851
II Jurncs BsngEiornc esq,
n iicT tig--it Il with sincere pleasure I in
n form you TINT Billy is entirely innocent Of tokin,
= my lost Gfy dollar note DELAYED nv ournc
> home this morning. 10 sec Mr.. Dinwiddic bopin
r that by mistake, the fifty dollars was 10 hi
G posscssiont On sight astcd him whether hn,
= not the bay bci,nt pnid him fifty dollars IN IN
Il twenty dollar bills and ten dollar b'llf BE re-
. piled that had done So, nud thai he had not M
o rolled tho money since ~ receipt Then iakir,
V ont the roll ~ money We found the oe fll,y dollar
. attached to the lower twenty dollar note This
= qnaIly surprised Us botll-but my pleasure in RI
r licying Billys character Of all suspicion by ,hi
discovery much greater than that derived ffor
: the recovery Of my money ] trust TINT you vii
, make my humble apologies 10 Billy. dctailc
y 10 you all the circumstances which excited u ~.
peon Of Billys guilt; aud my consolation is that
they were Of such character apparently to pon
10 Billy only, who is happily relieved.
Very respectfully yours
JNO. y, LEWELLEN.
This is a very happy and romantic ter
lnination Of what the Major and Billy NJ
+ doubt regarded as very sad affair. WheI
the above letter was received at the Ho,c
. Billy's wife, as If BY SPECIAL arrangement
? of Providence, happened TO be passing b.
c lhc door, when she was Immediately cal
: led in and the letter read to her md Bill
b at the same time by Mr.. Norris, who say
! he has SEEN happiness exhibited in varlod
+ degrees, bat never 10 such an extent as th
/. poor negroes manifested II knowcd go
didn't b'lievc I was guilty, Mary sal'
the happy husband mo, Billy, know
ed you didn't steal dat money; bIcsy d
Lord, I'm 50 happy !" responded his Over
, joycd spouse.
The reader rnsy think we have devote
too much space TO tery cotrmon-plac
occurrence, but IRE think If he will consd
| -, -, all, ~ H., f,cts rcfafrI he ,NhI dc