Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-04-05

cry from various partles-all ladlcs-who
had lost one or another article Of jewelry
with an occasional portmonnaie."
was getting excited.
What are your conclusions ?" | ask.
ed.
q would first have heard yours" said
the chief, looking at me closely, as though
to test my penetration.
| reflected moment, and could form
but one opinion.
"Thcre must be some person." said |,
" figuring at present in fashionable society
who is second Babbington in the titti g
profession"
a very proper conclusion" said the
chief, smiling at my simplicity. But
let us determine something. For instance,
is it man or 4 woman ~
Most likely Il woman | remarked,
"as none but women suffer from the thlct's
most adroit practice"
That would be the first conclusion,
said the chief, "but on the other hand, a
man might perform the deed, confning his
practice to females only to throw blame
upon ono of them"
| acknowledged the possibility of his
suggestion, thought had little effect upon
me.
" You have the particulars, continued
the chief "I give youonc week to solve
the mystery and to bring the adept to JUS
tice. Here is a list of the principal
losers. You shall take your own course
as to the plans you shall follow. Good
morning."
| knew that this case had been placed
in my hands as,s test of my skill, and re-
solved, if within the grespof human inge-
nuity, to compass it. 1t was most sin
gr1ar case, occurring, as it did, in the
very heart and centre of the first society.
1t was impossible to accuse any one on
suspicion there must be proofpositive be-
fore "a word cpuh be uttered. How was
it to. be abtainsa
| sat dowIf and thought seriously, lay
III. out my plans, as graspcd at each
paip of the case. Then arose to act.
Ifsssigg myself in the very height oil
l'fastiiou:I hired a carriage and drove to
she. lhoua OF the Hon Mr.. p.
Sssd haaat home, and stating my voca-
tio1 dparposc, was invited into the IL
brat
~ fear YOU have assumed a fruitless
tasS, Mr. Brandon" he said, when We
wsrteseatcd.
Yespressed my conviction of success.
Il How do you intend to proceed :" he
| then asked.
/ remarked that | should be governed
| by circumstances, but desired full list,
or as near as possible, Of all his guests on
the evening of the ball. He went out a
| few moments, and when he returned hand
ed me complete list, which he had OBJ.
tanned from his lady. Iran my eye down
the column with eager interest; many oi
the persons | knew, either personally OF
by reputation they were principally mar
ried men and their families.
One namc--a lady's-sccmed to make
an impression on my mind. | had never
I fheard of her, and though it was a hazard
Gus move, | ventured to ask who she was
oh" said Mr.. F." Madame De.
launcy is an old friend. | knew her hus
band, NJ. Deauney, when | was consul al
Paris. He was second Intenlent Of Po
lice, and died during my term. She is al
American by birth, whom he fell in love
with while on a visit to Paris with hel
father, a Boston merchant. She IS very
beautiful and amiablc."
This disarmcd me, for knew another
question would give offence, and his re
port was perfectly satisfactory | next
asked the names of few persons whC
had lost jowelry. He marked then
names on the paper. then took my
leave, with many expressions OF good viii
and hopes Of success from the Hon. gen
4 tleman.
Ny next visit was to the residence O
/ the ladies who had been victims OF tn,
mysterious pickpocket. Mrs. B
with whom was acquainted, received m,
very kindly, and eagerly gave me all the
information in her power, Her loss wa,
! large diamond breast-pin, Of great val
uc, OF which She gave me conclae dc
4cription also a gold locket, taken from
/ her eldest daughter, containing the por'
trait of her deceased husband. BY hel
Kindness | was introduced to several 9TH
crs, who had lost various articles in the
way OF brooches, earrings, necklaces, and
other articles. Some OF these Lad been
lost at the Academy others at the we'd
ding at Grace Church.
Having obtained all this information,
sat down 10 consider, and found myself
about as wise as when | commenced. One
of the ladies had lost a bracelet at the
first mentioned ball, and had loaned me
the fellow to it. This being the only
clue, resolved to work on it.
Taking list of all the pawnborkers in
the city, | visited each one and made a
thorough inventory Of the recent jewelry
rec sipts, but could fud nothing to match
my bracelet, nor accord with my deserip-
tions of the other articles lost. What
was to be done?
| asked myself this question as l was
seated in the Office, after my long and
fruitless search. In answer to it came an
idea. In a moment | was in my carriage
again, and off to Mrs. R.
What !" have you gained a clue al
ready ?" she exclaimed, as | entered has
tily.
Not yet" | replied. " But all is
not lost that is missing Tell me" adj
dcd, who gives the next grand conrer'
| sot;ou0rje in vonr circle ?"