Litchfield enquirer., 1864-01-21


 Some months after this occurrence the tradesman went en Sunday morning to see the guard mounting on the market place ; here he met an acquaintance, on whose finger he soticsd the missing ring.
 Where did you get that ring from r. he asked. eagerly adding, " it was stolen from me-"
 The other carelessly answered, <" bought it of . French offer for five dollars"
 What did you say 2"
 With this question an officer, who under steod German, walked up to the two men, who tried to withdraw in state of great alarm. An imperious Halt ' however, rooted them to the spot. Producing pocket book, the Frenchman asked their name, calling, and dwelling place, which he noted down. stating that the charge must be more fully gone into. He also asked the present owner of the ring whether he knew the officer. On his replying in the negative, he was requested to describe hls appearance but he had scarce uttered a few words ere the robbed man exclaimed in horror, Why. it is Captain Alswanger !" The examiner gave such violent start that it took some time ere he recovered, and at length asked, in trembling voice, Do you persist in your ststsment 2" And as both answered resolutey Yes," he forbade them leaving the spot under disagreeable consequences ifthey did so. The two men were extremely sorry that the matter had 80 soon attained publicity, aud would much sooner have settled itquietly :; but it was too late, the people standing round them had overheard the conversation. and were pressing round the two tradesmen in order to wait for tue further dsnounent of the drama.
 A feld-oficer, accompanied by the accuser and the captain, who had been called up, found some difficulty in making their way through the crowd. Do you know these persons ?' he asked the captain. The surprise was so sudden that he turned pale lost his seleposses- sion. and stammered hardly audible Yes" The colonel requested the ring to be handed to him, and asked. "Did you sell this ring to this person r. And as the accused, after great effort, replied in the affirmative, the colonel continued, Where did you get it from ?" He answered, somewhat mors calmly, that he had received it as present from his married sister, who was staying in Paris at .he time. "What have you to say to this ?" the robbed man was asked. The latter turned to the captain with the Question Do you know the secret of the ring ?" He looked at hin in some alarm, and slowly replied " No"
 " In that ease, II. le Csloael, will prove to you that the riag was formerly my property ,and impart the sacret to you"
 The two walked to a more open spot, when the owner pressed with penk uifs one of the small knobs that surrounded the stone !: a smal plate sprang out from the inside, and hollow was visible under the stone, iu which a small pisce of paper or poisos might be concealed The colonel silently looked st the ring slowly pressed the plate back into ts place, and stood for some time in deep thought. Then he re. turned to the two officers and said, with svi- dent emotion, Hollow me-"
 The colonel made his report to the general commanding. who ordered four non commis sioned officers to take the captain to the rear. At this moment Governor Rnpp. pleasant as usual, cautered up with his brilliant, suite, rode down the line, placed himself in front of it, and gave the town-msior orders to carry out the prescribed maD9uvres. The commanding of heer, however, had not shouted the word '" March ]" when the governor was informed of what bad occurred. In great passion be ordered the general who made the report to a, once proceed to the preliminary examination, and to inform him of tue result. On being asked whether the captain under arrest should be brought up, he declined it with wave of his hand and with averted face. Without wait Ing Tor the customary marching past, he gal loPed of on his barb at such pace that his suite were hardly able to keep up with him.
 On the departure of the troops, the officers warned for the duty assembled in a room of the town-hail, and the court of inquiry was formed. When the prisoner was brought for. ward, the auditor general, an old friend of his, addressed him in trembling voice
 Captain Alswanger. you are accused of stealing ring : hat have you to say in an- swer to the charge ?"
 In firm voice he said " The matter is clear. and I will admit the truth. allowed myself to be so led away as to steal the ring, and was stupid enough to sell it in the town. ;"
 All were silent through engagement, and it was some time ere the presiding general was able to speak :" Captain" he said, " do you know the consequences to which you expose yourself by this selfaccusation ?"
 Yes, excellency. As am we'll acouaint- ed with the laws of the army, know I shall be expelled from the officers corps with dis honor, aud not be allowed to tread the soil of France agaln.'
 By order of the president the report was drawn up, and the prisoner signed it with a firm hand. It was delivered by an adiu-