The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1866-07-14
WHOLE NO. so.
The Honest Thief.


There once lived in St. Petersburg an
aged man, who though poor, had always
been noted for strict honor and integrity,
and whose whole course of life was regular
as clock-work Each morning he left his
modest dwelling at precisely the same hour,
passed through the old-clothes market to
his Bureau, and after six hours labor was
accomplished returned home by the self
same route. His garmets were shabby from
long service, and the covering on his cap
was worn to shreds. The urgent solicita-
tions of his daughters finally induced him
to replace the latter article and seeing
some of green color one day in a shop
window, he went in and inquired the price.
The shopman, however, refused to sell
them, on the plea that they were already
bespoke, and offered to show hin others of
different hue but the old man had set
his heart on green.
We'll, them said the man, if you must
absolutely have it, take it, and if needs
must l can finish another by tomorrow to
take its place.
and the next day no small excitement
was created by the appearance of the cap,
which elected from his colleagues smiling
congratulations upon his successful pur.
| chase. r 3. .....,,. ..
Two days afterward the heat being in
! tense in the bureau, he felt in his pocket
for his handkerchief, in order to wipe the
perspiration from his face, and he drew forth
to his great establishment, one of fine India
foulard silk. He showed it to his colleagues,
and inquired if he had not by mistake APP
propriated another persons property; but
| IL. I l.. =
and agreed unanimously that it must be
surprise from one ofhis daughters.
Children said he, upon his return to
his house, who has done this Do you
wish to make me vain in my old age !?
His daughters also declared their igno-
rance of the matter, and, after many ram
dom guesses, finally made up their minds
that it must have been put in his pocket by
their cousin, who spent the last Sunday
with them !; and the handkerchief was care
fully put aside by their father.
On the following day, as he was carefully
spreading his coat-tails in order to seat
himself at his desk, he felt something hard
! in both his pockets, and putting in his hand
brought out from one gold watch and
from the other ell-furnished purse
This time his reason was overwhelmed
but after long reflection he formed sud-
den resolution. He had been more pune
tual than the other officials, and was alone
in the room he therefore determined to
say nothing to them of his discovery and
as soon as the Office hours were over he
went directly to the Chief of the Police
and solicited private audience. He then
produced the watch and purse, and related
| the history of the handkerchief After the
| Chief had fully possessed himself of all the
particulars he said:
1t is very singular /! Has nothing of the
kind ever happened to you before 2 81.
| Never before last week.
Have you made any change in your
dress within that time -?
| mo-
| Recollect =
'Oh yes, certainly bought new cap!
Tell me how and where you bought it,
The old man told him everything con-
nected with his purchase, upon which the
chief laughed heartily, and exclaimed
Poor, honest man II that you are re you
have become member of band
of thieves Do you not perceive? The
twenty caps of the same shape and color
were to serve them as a mark for recogni-.
WIN "hu 90 OFOly PlSnPoSn0V o0Ono W VI
vest himself as quickly as possible of his
stolen goods, they have taken you for an
accomplice, and transferred these articles
to your pockets. We are greatly indebted
to accident and to you Take this money
and buy another cap from one of the prin-
cipal magazines then bring this one back
immediately for as I hope to have the
whole gang in my power tomorrow you
must not run the risk of being arrested Also
The old man went into shop and pur-
chased another covering for his head but
as he was about to tie up the cap in his
handkerchief, in order to take it back to
the police-office, he found in the crown, to
his no small surprise, a costly piece oflace,
He fastened to deliver this fresh booty in
to the hands of the Chief who again burst
into peal Of laughter when he beheld the
| despairing countenance of the honest thief
The necessary measures were immediate
| ly taken. Two dozen detectives were made
acquainted with the form of the cap and
simultaneously, at precisely the same hour,
every possessor of the sign was placed in
durance vile.
I