The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-05-29
4 Queer CIRCUMFERENCE

AAS'A ~'S" OLAOoho OA VAC oICe@S4S@ D@ANAS'
While on her passage up the cholera broke
out on the boat, and several of the passen-
gers and crew died. At one time there
were but two or three on board who were
capable of attending to the wants of the
sick, besides those necessarily employed in
running the boat. Among them was
young physician from Mobile, Alabama, and
another gentleman whose acquaintance Mr..
Babcock made, who claimed to be resident
of Prussia. This gentleman stated, in the
course of various conversations, that he
was a manufacturer of stockings, &c, in
Prussia; that he usually brought out
large assortment of goods, disposed of
them, and invested the receipts in -four which
he took back with him to Europe. He
said he was then on his way to Louisville
for the purpose of buying -four. Becoming
somewhat interested in the man on account
of his gentlemanly bearing, and attention to
the sick, Mr.. Babcock urged him to stop at
Evansville; telling him, that he would
avoid considerable danger necessarily in
Cured in remaining on the boat till it
reached Louisville, and he thought -four
might be had on as good terms in Evans
vile as in Louisville. The stranger finally
concluded to stop.
The next day after his arrival home, Mr..
Babcock noticed his new acquaintance re-
ceiving -four on the levee, and was struck
by the care with which the flour was in
spected and flaws detected. He stepped up
and hailing his new friend, asked him what
success he had in making purchaser
every fine indeed" was the reply of the
Prussian gentleman, who again thanked Mr..
Babcock for inducing him to stop at Evans
vile. As the latter gentleman was about re-
turning up the levee, his friend stepped up
to him in a confidential manner and said he
had about $1,000 in Tennessee money q,
which he desired him to convert into good
funds. Mr.. Babcock asked him why he
did not get the men of whom he purchased
the -four to make the exchange for him.
Well" he said, "he didn't like to bother
them with it he lacked only $75 of paying
for the -four, and if Mr. Babcock would let
him have that amount and sell the Tenn
essee money he would regard it as a very
great accommodation" Mr.. Babcock then
requested him to walk up to the store and
he would try and accommodate him. On
arriving at the store Mr.. Babcock proceed
ed to his safe and took out SIS, and hand
ed it to the man, who, grasping the money
without counting it, remarked, 81 have left
my package of money at the hotel. I will
just step down and get it and return
Well, but you must leave the seventy-fve
dollars until you return" said Mr.. Babcock'
ooh, will only be gone few minutes" said
the stranger, and made for the door Mr..
Babcock turned to close the door of the safe
and commanded the fellow to stop; but
who paying no attention to the command,
started down the street like quarter-horse,
with Mr.. Babcock in full pursuit, crying
stop thief" The thief, however, slipped
into some house and was not to be found
although number of men were on the
search for him for many days. The flour
was drayed back by the gentlemen who
sold it.
About ten years afterwards, a gentleman
ly looking man walked into Mr.. Babcock's
store and inquired for the proprietor. Upon
being sent to Mr.. Babcock, he asked him
if he knew him. Mr.. Babcock told him he
was the fellow that stole $75 from him
The man then stated that he was
reformed man, and intended to lead a new
life. Taking out $50 in gold, he asked
him if that would pay the interest on the
money that he had robbed him of Mr..
Bahcnriz mid B;-r 81 ,r,.,,,Id Ti,a., VIM.
Oe..>.. Alio4 ui4-''
up note, the stranger handed it to him,
telling him. if he would not prosecute him,
he should have every dime that was due
him, and then took his departure.
Three years rolled away, and on Monday
last gentleman inquired of Mr.. Cunning
ham, who was in the front part of he room,
| if that was Mr.. Babcock's store. He was
| told that it was, and that Mr.. Babcock him
| self was in the back part of the room at the
/ desk. The stranger walked back to where
Mr.. Babcock was standing, and inquired if
he recognized him. Mr.. Babeock replied
that be did. He then asked what he knew
about him. Mr.. Babcock replied that be
was the man who stole S75 from him thir-
teen years ago. Grasping him by the hand,
the stranger said, "you are right" But"
said he, am reformed man, and in
tend paying you every cent l owe you
Taking out another SIS in gold, be handed
it to Mr.. Babcock, and gave him new note
for $50, promising that it should all be paid
| up in a short time.
| When questioned as to the motives that
induced him to act so strangely, he said it
was long story. That be knew he had
done very wrong, but that he intended to
lead different life. He stated that he now
resided in Memphis, and once more took his
departure.
Mr.. Babcock feels confident that he will
yet receive all his money back, notwith-