Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-03-26

Fanny and the other children, who had
made their appearance; and while we were
conversing the hours passed by so quickly
that it was dinner time before I knew it,
and Psalter and sr1othessJim coming home.
they were introduced to our new boarder,
and insisted upon his dining with us that
very day. He accepted the invitation very
sweetly, and said that if we were willing, he
should be most happy to enter his new quar-
ters that very evening, and would send to
the Astor House for his luggage the next
day, as he was somewhat fatigued by his
journey. To this proposition we unani-
mously assented, and then all sat down to
dinner, Mr.. Alberts saying grace at its
commencement, and expressing, in con-
versation which ensued, such excellent SEN
timents on all subjects, that we were abb
solutely charmed with him.
Very soon after the meal was finished,
our boarder, pleading fatigue, retired to his
own apartment, and Psalter, John and my
self, little later, set off for a concert which
we were DESTROYS Of hearing. leaving the
children in the charge Of Biddy, with in
structions to put them to bed at nine o.
clock precisely.
elbow do you like Mr. Alberts, my dear?"
[ said to Psalter, as we walked along.
"Tolerable," replied Psalter, he seems
to be very excellent young man not par
ticularly brilliant, but very worthy and well
hammered"
..Well, it is better to be good than to be
brilliant is it not 2" remarked.
''But how do you know that Mr.. AL
berts is not both, inquired John. "There
is latent fire in his eye, a suppressed fer
vor in his voice, that tells me he is truly
great. OF such men were martyrs made.
Emma, did you notice how he did grace to-
night? It was actually grand
That remark Of his about the dignity Of
truth was really fne," said Psalter. '.You
may be right after all, John" ..+
s'And be is SO kind to the children" said
I. Il am sure / shall be delighted with
him." And we walked on together in the
most amiable mood.
The concert over, we returned home,
when, to our great surprise, we found the
children still up, and in the parlor
1T is not my fault, man," said Biddy,
when spoke to her about it. 1.-The young
gentlemen got ut after you was gone, and
has been playin' with 'em all the eyenin' !;
and he sent out for candy for 'em; and then
when the fun was over, he read 'em chap
ter, and babe 'em say their prayers, for all
tne world, as if he was minister
ooh y said Fanny, ''he is SO sweetP
They talked about Mr.. Alberts all the
while they were undressing. and their adj
miration Of him confirmed me in my opin-
ion. Children have such penetration
The next morning we arose as usual, but
Mr.. Alberts did not make his appearance,
and Biddy informed me tnat he had request
ed her not to arouse him if he should sleep
late, as he never took breakfast, and was
very much fatigued by the journey. So | eau
toned the children to be quiet, and we sat
down to the table without him. After
breakfast, the gentlemen started for their
places Of business, and everything proceed
ed as usual till noon but still Mr.. Alberts
did not make his appearance, and l began
to feel rather surprised.
It was about noon, when two men, stout
and stalwart, and wrapped in huge grey
coats, knocked at the basement door, and
before any orc had time to open it, stepped
into the entry
"Beg your pardon ma an" said the first
man-'.Beg your pardon, but is there any
gentleman by the name of Scraggin boarding
here 2"
"No, sir" | replied.
''Nor any one named Phillips ?" inquired
the man.
''No, sir"
perhaps the name is Alberts p said the
other, stepping forward.
"There is gentleman named Alberts at
present in the house," replied.
cab! then you will be klud enough to
ask him to step down minute? 2 said the
first speaker
'.Certainly-if you will walk into the
parlor I will call him." [ said
Accordingly, the two men proceeded to
the floor above while I sent Biddy to sum-
mon Mr.. Alherts After great deal Of
knocking, she returned with the information
that she could not make him hear. "And
! what is more, man," she continued, ''the
window out into the roof Of the shed is open
and the curtains BLOWN out Of it, and it
seems as though there was no one in it at
all."
"Take my word for it that the room is
empty-the bird has flown" said the first
man.
1--WE must unlock the door, and make
sure, however, said the second.
stood there in perfect astonishment as
they pronounced these words, and placed at
the same time, two stars upon the bosom Of
their coats. "What could it all mean ?"
thought.
"You look surprised, ma'am," said the
first policeman. Il suppose this Mr.. AL
berts came the good, intellectual kind Of
body over you, didn't he ?-said his prayers
like good boy, and all that eh?'
''He certainly seemed to be very good
person." replied. I'm fact, see no rea-
son to believe him Otherwise
"No?" replied the man "Jest look round
and see if you miss anything. It is curious
if you don't"
..Miss anything"
Eyes, ma'am. Have you counted your
silver, or seen your jewelry this morning =
said the man.
OH what start the words gave me
few into the back parlor, for be it known
that in certain drawers Of the book case
kept my silver forks, my surplus money
and several articles Of jewely. The draw
ers were closed. tried them. The lock-