Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-06-21
cHAPTER III.
40 what a tangled web We weave,
When first we practice 70 deceive y

on his journey and in due time arrived in the
city Of @ After recovering from the
fatigue incident TO a long journey, in company
with bis uncle be strolled around the city
aud ho saw many things both to amuso and
instruct him. His spirits were reviying anc
be thought he could enjoy himself as vel
there as it was possible for him to enjoy him
self any where while absent from Mary.
One day about q fortnight after bis arrival
in the city be was standing iu front Of his
hotel when be observed the approach of q
very unpleasant acquaintance from bis own
neighborhood by the name of John Smith,
and be was iustinctively turning away when
be was addressed by the latter in a bland
manner who having approached. extended biz
hand and e%nquired after his health. Willie
was surprised. He bad frequently met Smith
at the house of Mrs. Emerson where be Wis
tied with the vain hope of inspiring seuti-
ments Of love in the breast Of Mary but
having been steadily repulsed, and finding
a powerful rival in Willie, be finally ceased
bis visits at the same time yowing revenge
Willie being aware of bis hostile feeling, had
Stunned him on all occasions when he could
do so without being rude.
Smith noticing bis surprise said in a sub
dued tone,
Willie, / do not wonder that you should
be surprised at my changed manner have
long entertained feelings of hostility towards
you, prompted as you know by enc of the
worst passions Of the human heart; but thank
God the better feelings of my nature have
asserted their sway,and | humbly ask forgive
ness for the deep wrongs | have done both
you and Mary"
The innocent are ever easily imposed upon,
and Willie being completely deceived by his
altered tone, was glad that so favorable a
change had taken place. and readily accorded
the forgiveness he had asked for.
lie then informed Willie that it was his
intention 20 remain in the city for some time,
and if it would not be a source of uneasiness
to him he would be glad to put up at the
same hotel.
Willie not suspecting the design of Smith,
expressed himself pleased. as it would afford
them an opportunity of cultivating the friend
ship which had so lately sprung up between
them.
A week passed away nothing occurred to
mar tie apparent good feeling existing be-
tween them, but at the end Of that time
Smith determined to put into operation the
plot that should prove poor Willie's ruin.
Having gained his confidence be bad free ac-
cess to his room, and during the week be
took an impression of the key-hole of his
trunk, from which he had a key made, and
while Willie was absent he went to his own
room, forced open bis trunk, and took from it
a roll of notes amounting to some two thou.
sand dollars. He then went to Willie's
room and applied the false key to his trunk
which worked to a charm. He deposited the
two thousand dollars in the bottom ofthe
trunk, shut down the lid. which fastened With
a spring, and left the room, being sure be had
not been discovered.
The next morning Smith announced that
his trunk had been broken open and robbed Of
two thousand dollars, aud by artful insin-
%uations caused suspicion to rest upon Willie
whereupon q search was made and the money
found in bis trunk.
Willie was arrested and imprisoned.
The next morning one of the city papers
contained the following paragraph;
son last Thursday night the room Of
John Smith, who is on a temporary visit tc
this city, at - hotel was entered and
his trunk broken open and robbed of two
thousand dollars in bank notes. Circum.
stances caused suspicion to rest upon a young
man from Virginia by the name Of Willie
- Eve fOrbear giving his full name through
respect for bis connectiousl whercupon search
was made and the missing money found ia
bis trunk, which was restored to its prope,
owner. We exceedingly regret that a young
man who has hitherto sustained an un5lem-
ished character, should thus by one act for
ever hlast his reputation. What renders the
affair still more distressing is that be has fol
some time been a~fianced to a lovely young
lady of respectable family upon whom the
blow will no doubt fall heaviest"
This paragraph was written by Smith and
given to the editor who supposing it to be
correct gave it a ready insertion.
y ~