The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1860-02-04

he said he was certain the guilty party
was some one in the house. With
assumed Indignation | exclaimed :-'.
am willing, and insist upon being search
ed ; and hope for their own vindication,
those present will submit to the same
CEREMONY
All agreed to this, for the satisfaction
of the proprietor; but though every one
the " minister included-was search
ed, nothing was found. | then proposed
that each of the boardcrs should watch
for night until the robbcries ceased
and, knowing the influence of example,
offered to stand guard tor that night my
self.
This plan seemed to please the s.min-
istor," for he not only acccdcd to it, but
persuaded the others to agree to it,
Accordingly, that night | entered upon
my sclf-imposod duty.
All the sleeping apartments were on
the second floor, Immediately fronting
each other, and separated by an entry
near ten feet wide. About midnight,
while walking up and down the passage,
in pursuance of my duty, the minister"
opened his door, and inquired if | would
90 to the well aud bring him some water,
offering to watch during my absence. |
replied that was willing. to cbligc, and
asked for his pitcher. lie answered that
he had nothing in his room but tumbcr,
and that was occupied, and desired me
to lend him mine. [ knew what he told
me was false ; nevertheless, | pretended
to be ignorant of his real intention, and
unlocked my door, passed into the room,
procured a pitcher, and then came out,
purposcly lear1ag the door open, but talk
ing TIE key with me. There was no light
in the entry save !hat given by the moon.
BY the aid of this | reached the stairs,
passed down, opened the front door, and
then closed it. Instead of going out,
however, | hastily took off my shoes and
crept silently mp the stairs again. |
reached the top i'll time to see the g min
istcr' enter my room. paused for a
moment to allow him time to get we'll at
work, then crcpt softly up to the door,
and pceped into the room. lie was stoop-
ing over my trunk, with his back towards
Inc. l heard him force it open, and then
take out my purse. He rose and turned
to go out. let him reach tho door, and
then, before he discovered me, spranc
upon him, and in moment crushed him
to the floor, and called for assistance. -
Meanwhile he struggled hcrccIy to rise,
and would probably have succeeded, had
it not been for the opportunc arrival of
several borders. With their assistance
| secured the villain. Two of US guard
ed him till morning, when we had Him
conveyed toprison. | searched his room,
but for a time could discover none OF the
missing property. Iii, trunk appeared
to contain nothing but cloths, but after
Il second inspection, discovered a secret
recess, which, having broken open, l
found a number Of banknotes, some cash,
and all the articles of jcwclty, etc., which
had been stolen from the boardcrs. -
When the prisoner found we had discov-
cred the missing property, he confessed
that he had stolen it, and tn at nc was the
individual who had 50 alarmed the villa
gers. lie also acknowledged that lie was
the pretended old man who had accom-
panied me in the stage. lie was sent to
prison, where | believe he is now engaged
III the classic occupation Of stonc-cutting.