Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-05-24

up between us. Al first thought of get
ting him to help me find the ilief but as
wharion had promised TO speak 70 no one
else on the subject, concluded to keep IL
lent also.
That night counted my m ,ney, but
made no entry on the account. There was
three hundred and forty odd dollars. ] pnt
il in new calf skin pocket-book-plac'
that in the money drawer, aol l,rkei the
whole up in the safe. On The following
morning found fifty dollars missing. ]
was not mistaken. I5egan TO feel unpleas-
antly. My suspicious lonk a very unwel-
come turn.
During that day ponderel upon the
subject, and finally hit upon the following
experiment When ! la,l locked up the
safe for the night, spread upon the knob
OF the door, and upon the money drawer,
some pale red lead, being careful not TO gel
enough on TO be easily noticed. L had left
the cash account open to be closed up in the
morning. Wien Iopened the safe all was
as i had left it.
The next night fixed the knob in the
same manner, and on the morning following
1 found forty dollars gone. Upon the pock-
ct book were finger marks of red lead aud
when came 10 open my cash book, 4 found
the same kind of marks there. So 1 had
learned one thing, the thief knew enough
10 see whether any account had been made
of the money, before he took it, felt
more unpleasanily than before, for my un-
welcome suspicious were being confirmed.
| had gained new light. There was a Pc
culiarity in the rel finger marks which told
me sad story. Still | wished to try fur
ther.
For two nights after this ille safe remain
ed undisturbed, but on the third night |
missed seventy-five dollars, and | had now
set my trap more carefully. The red pig
ment was not only used, but ! put private
mark upon every bill in the drawer. The
pocket book and the cash book were fin
gered as before, and The marks were clear
and distinct.
When the week was up, Mr.. Wharton
came and asked me what | had found.
"Ah!" said he, as he noticed the sor-
rowful expression upon my countenance,
you have failed to discover anything
Alas, wish could say so!' / replied
I" i have discovered too much. In the first
place, the money had been taken from the
safe, and the key left in its proper drawer,
and locked up as usual. Also the cash book
has been examined each time to see if any
entry has been made of the money. There
has been one hundred and sixty-fiye dollars
taken in ALL.
But how do you know the cash book
has been examined?"
II will show you," / said, producing
both the cash and pocket books. " You SEE
those red marks z" fixed a red pigment
upon the door knob OF the safe, and alst
upon the edges of the money drawer You
see these finger marks
+" Yes he whispered.
"And now," continued, Just examine
them carefully. See how the leaves of the
cash book were turned over, and also see
how the strap of the pocket book was tucked
into its place. Do you see anything pecul-
lar about it /!
"Only that the finger marks are very
plain"
But can you not distinguish the thumb
marks from those made by the fingers r
Yes-I can"
"Then tell me this ! returned: Hhieh
hand didhe thief use most dertrousiy IN Tie
soork ?"
Wearton gazed upon the marks, and f.
nally gasped-
THE LEFT"
" So he did," returned; Gand all the
marks have been the same. The thief is
left handed one, and he is acquainted with
the store and the books, and can gain easy
access here. But have yet another mark.
"The last bills that were taken were all
Of them marked with small red cross up
on the numerical figure in the right hand,
and upper corner. You can follow those
up, for have neither had the courage nor
the heart TO do it.
The merchant sank back pale as death
itself.
Henry is the only left handed person on
the premises y he groaned, gazing on me
as though he wished me TO deny his state
ment. But could not knew that his
own son was the guilty party.
ASK me know more" i said, with tears
in my eyes, for the fathers agony deeply
moved me. "lhe secret Is locked up IN my
own breast; aud neither to you nor TO any
living being will ever call the name OF
the one whom | suspect"
The stricken man grasped my hand, and
with sobs an tears he begged my pardon
for the wrong he hac done me, aud thanked
me for the assurance had given him.
On the following morning he brought me
fifty dollars, in eight different bills, all mark
ed with the red cross.
Il know all row. he whispered in brok-
en- accents. BE kind 10 me, and let this
moi 90 out 10 the worli."
kept my promise, and lived to see the
old man smile again for when Henry saw
the deep agony OF his father, his heart was
touched, and he not only acknowledged all
his wild sins, and humalv begged for par
don, but became true and good man, an,l
an honor aud ornament to society.