Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1869-09-30
The Man about Town.
BY A DETECTIVE.

III ny QUE IL LIDS COuLI6u. no W.
taries Of fashion are not uniTequent-
ly made the victims Of the adven-
turer, but for the sake Of coLcealing
their own want Of sagaci;y the
vrong-doer is seldom punished
Nevertheless, there are episodes
now and then occurring which, if
they met the public eye, would afford
a rich morsel of humor and ridicule.
One Of these came under my own
observation few years since. /
had done some business for a we'll
known merchant, and he was pleased
with the manner / had executed it.
l was not surprised, therefore, when
he came to the Chiefs office one
day and desired to speak with me.
81 have some work for yourself
and friend" said be, referring to my
partner.
"What is it," L inquired.
He then weot on TO detail to us
the particulars of a number of sue.
cessIuI robberiss that had been per-
petrated recently in the society in
which his family moved. Strange
as it may appear, all of these we're
done at fashionable gatherings, eth
er at his own house or those of his
neighbOrs.
at would be impossible, he said,
''to suspect any Of the guests; yet
the servants had been strictly
watched, and no evidence could be
found to implicate any Of tkem.-
Diamond bracelets mysteriously dis
appeared from the wrists Of fair
ladies'; gentlemen lost their jewelry,
watches and chains, and even gold
headed canes, in tie most unac-
oountable way. At every house
where fashionable party met some
robbery of this description ensued
1t had began to create an intense
excitement. Ladies we're afraid to
appear with jeWelry about them ;
gentlemen besitated to display their
diamonds, and we're restless when
any one approached them. Suspi.
cion had grown up, and coldness,
which began to assume q very Sc
riOus aspect, had been engendered
between several families. The mat
ter, be said, would have to sifted,
but how TO do it be was at loss to
know.
| told him he would have to In
troduce me to bis fashionable &C.
qhaintances, and as his guest. lat
tended the mex; party at his house.
Even stranger could discern the
coldness and lack of free genial
kindness that pervaded the assem-
bly,. The atmosphere seemed to
breathe suspicion. Everybody sus-
pected bis neighbOr. Gentlemen
were watched closely as they paid
theil devoirS to fair ladies, and the
bellies to whom devotion was offered
freely, we're eyed keenlY lest they
should spirit away a more costly
jewel than the gentleman's affec-
tions, One gentleman, however, |
nOticed at once as entirely free
from these unworthy suspicious
His manner was radiant with a gay
) inSouidnce that charmed every one.
His repart, es were brim-full Of wit
: and sparkling fun, while the bright
smile with which every lady greeted
, him showed that be had not fallen
/ under the cloud that had settled on
the rest. Yet noted the rapid,
lightniDg-like glance with which be
| surveyed everybody that approached
: him. Sometimes the great dark
eyes would darken with shade of
anxiety, as he encountered a sterr
looking visage,. and then fash out
merrily as he saw it harbOred no sus
! picion of him. The man fascinated
; even men. / saw ne vas acting
f His conduct, apparently controlled
: bv a natural kindness of disposition
/ perceived was the result of con
/ summate lmpudeuce and nerve, and