Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-11-17
family Gyittle,
THE VILLAGE THIEF.

deeds could not be discovered. Guns
and other warlike weapons were in de-
mand; but these were Intellectual for the
guilty party still exercised his vocation
with impunity. Police had been placed
upon his track, but their efforts to dis
cover him were unsuccessful; no clue to
the appearance of the thief could be ob
tanned from his victims; all of the latter
agreed that they were plundered, not by
an established band, but by one individ
ual. Some said that Immediately before
they were robbed, they had noticed "a
large fierce looking fellow" prowling
around their premises; others affirmed
that the guilty party was small fine
looking man." and, lastly, there were a
teT superStltlous ones who declared that
the robber was not man, but the ennis.
sary of certain individual supposed to
govern the warm regions. With these
conflicting reports, it would puzzle the
last named gentleman himself to discover
the thief. 1t was fol those reasons that
the villagers were alarmed.
| was neither detective nor police,
man, but as large reward had been Of
fered for the apprehension of the thief, |
concluded | would attempt his capture.
Accordingly, started for the village Of
NJ. That night stopped at an Oh
scure inn, some ten miles from the village.
Having slowed away my baggage and
eaten my supper, l went into the bar
room, where found an old man convers
Ing with the proprietor. I picked up
pape: and pretended TO be reading, but
IN reality was listening to their CONVEX
sation. They were talking about the
robberies that had been committed in the
adjacent village. The old man seemed
to know great deal about the subject
so much SO, in fact, that my suspicious
were somewhat aroused, and | determined
to watch him. They we're both sitting
with their backs towards me, and did not
notice the surreptitous glances. l cast at
them above the corner of the. paper. The
old mans right arm waS HANGING over
the side of his chair, and he held ROCKET
knife in his hand. | noticed while he
twirled it around, that it was peculiar
one. 1t had two blades, and something
which rcsembled prong While Ne was
handling it in this manner it fell from bis
grasp near my clair. He started hastily
to pick it up, but ere he could reach it |
stopped down and picked it up, and gave
it to him; but not before | had noticed
the letters g B. B." cut upon the horn
case. The old man thanked me for my
trouble, and then placed the knife in kis
pocket.
| was almost certain that the object of
my suspicious was not an old man as he
feigned to be: for observed, when he
started for his knife, that he manifested
too much agility for one of advanced
years; besides, he seemed very anxious
to conceal the knife after had seen it.
For these reasons | determined to watch
him. After remaining a few minutes
longer, he inquired Of the proprietor
what time the first stage left in the morn
ing for the village Of M. | had not
originally intended to start at so early
an hour, but i now determined to 90 at
the same time.
Accordingly the mex: morning I found
myself on the way to the village, in com
pany with the old man.
We had been travelling for about an
hour, during which time we had not
spoken. At length my companion asked
me II thought " the robber" would oel
caught. | answered in the negative
and then, In seemingly boasting man
ner, added, But | do not fear them. and
if he succeeds in robbing me, he Is well
come to his plumber"
1" If he knew where to find Won, he
might visit you" my companion quietly
remarked.
| careeSsly answered: Should he de
sire to visit me, he can find me at the
principal lotel in the village of NJ"
Tie old man made no reply. We ar
rived at our destination. | got out Of
the coach first. to see about my baggage.
and when | returned my companion was
gone. l was sorry he had escaped me-
but, hoping [ might yet discover him, |
started for the inn, which was soon
reached
About two hours after, man, who
appeared to be minister arrived. He
had number Of tracts, which, having
distributed, he was shown to his room,
which was on the same floor and opposite
that of mine. He did not show himself
again until supper time, when he informed
US that he was travelling minister, and
intended to remain in the village a few
days.
The next morning three Of the board
ers announced to the landlord that they
had been robbed, and among them, the
minister
The latter was just narrating the fact
when | came into the room. In the
course of his remarks, he drew handker
chief from his pocket; this action ierked
out something, which fell upon the floor.
Looking down discovered the same
knife which | had seen in the possession
OF the old man, and with the same initials
upon 1T. The minister hastily picked it
up, and then turned towards me. | pre-.
tended to have observed nothing. lie
seemed somewhat satisfied, and resumed
the narrative.
Now, for the first time, the idea struck
me that the old man in the stage-coach-
the minister and the object of my pursuit
was the man before me. | did not,
however, communicate my suspicious to
al, bo