The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-02-16

Elder, whilst others asserted that he must
be Baron Won Humboldt himself, or some
other distinguished foreigner on his trav-
els. oN f.-e- - ..-.
Curiosity led US to examine the passen-
ger list, when we discovered that the stu
dious strangers name was DR.. Herman
Blukerwissel, and that his destination was
New Orleans. Although he always sat
right at our elbows. when Cherrute, Mer-
ton, Bigbee and l were conversing, yet
not word did we succeed in eliciting from
our dull neighbor. We at length corclu-
ded that he did no. understand our Ian
guage, and SO ceased our endeavours to
draw him into conversation. .-
But, my gracious! if stop on the road
to describe every passenger on the boat,
I perceive it will he tedious journey to
the end of my narrative, which principally
concerns, Mr.. Merton and his ten thousand
dollars. Frank Cherrute with his blue
dress coat and brass buttons, and Tom
Bigbee and his pair Of extraordinary
gloves. 1t is on these gloves that my
story "hangs." They were of peculiar
make, and excited our admiration as we
were seated around the stove. After they
had been sufficiently examined by us all,
Tom put them, as he thought, in, his coat
pocket. It happened, however, that one Of
them fell upon the floor. Cherrute quick
ly picked it up. saying: s'You have
dropped one." and obligingly stuck it in
Toms pocket for him, instead of handing
it to- the owner. At least we. supposed
he had put it in the pocket with the other;
although subsequent events convinced me
that Mr., Cherrute had merely pretended to
do so, and that he retained the odd glove
for vile purpose then only known to him
! self.
| That night, Mr. Merton's ten thousand
dollars were stolen from his state -room!-
His trunk had been broken open during
the night, and the little box containing
his treasure and a quantity of papers had
been abstracted.
Mr.. Merton discovered his loss early
next morning. Wild with excitement, he
Immediately spread the Intelligence thro'-
out the boat. The hubbub created was
immense; and every man and woman
aboard suggested a plan for ferreting out
the thief Frank Cherrute proposed that
Merton's state-:oom should be searched
as some clue might have been left there by
which to detect the robber.
IL, The room was searched and clue fount
in the shape of AN ODD GLOVE that hae
J been left behind by the thief 1t was on,
$ of those gloves which Tom Bigbee hat
s been seen to wear the evening before
Merton rushed into the cabin with tn,
g evidence of Toms guilt, and exclaim
( ed
r "There stands the thief Bigbee is tn
; owner of this glove. and charge him wit
'e the theft ofmy money!"
Of TOMS amazement may be imagine
"a upon being thus accused. My own a.
D. constituent was no less. l had know
1T him from childhood, and was confdel
TX that more honorable, upright man nev,
st trod the earth. 800 ,- go -.., .-''5 p.
ss "Impossibe!" I indignantly cried.
ed But the excited 1ooser of the mon,
could not be induced to withdraw Il
ne charge. No one but himself, he said, b;
a been permitted to enter his state-roo
d, since he had taken possession of it. Son
he body had entered it without his knowled
'iy during the preceding night and stolen t
lr- money The thief had Unfortunately le
ur this clue to his Identity. He had. SCI
N. the glove in, Bigbee's possession befo
ng the robbery. and he how demanded that
les trunks should be searched
mt Don't be too hasty," eagerly interpe
US, ed Frank rCherrute; "there may be 9th
his gloves of the same kind as Mr.. Bigbe
'O and, if that gentleman can produce
me pair. claim that your suspicious are !
lr. just"
ten Tom instantly examined his pock
shtt thoroughly, but fruitessly. He fou
his but one glove, and that the exact mate
re. the one discovered in Merton's state-roo
,ht Filled with wonder and chagrin, my m
on titled friend gave up his keys, and requ
.e's ted that his trunks should be immediat
act searched. .e-.~,,[. -,
ass The keys were not needed, for his tru
lk- in the slate-room was found unlocked.
bly, The lid being raised, the first thing Il
Ind presented itself to view was the miss
7ed box. The papers were in it, but no,
IN IN cent of the stolen money.
'el- Itwas plain to my mind that the real IL
ust had adopted cunning plan for throw
ter suspicion off his own shoulders upon
.s.s friend Tom., The glove must have b
will stolen from him for the very purpose
to which they were applied, and the box I
gd papers put into his trunk with the view
ore fastening the guilt upon poor Tom.
OF fortunately, not q soul on board, exec
On ing myself, knew Tom Bigbee, and it
this already the opinion Of the majority tina
~-|had stolen the money We were raPi
lth- approaching Memphis, and the cap,
'nly politely notified us that he considered
loof his duty 70 hand Bigbee over to the
ack thorities of that city. Whatever was
and be done, must be done quickly. P
t at Tom, crushed in spirit and now listl
ing could not assist me with single sugs
the ton. His sensitive nature would not
bod II. oc =