The Republican journal., 1870-02-24
A DETECTIVE STORY.
Operations of Sneak Thieves"

Not very long ago lady in widows weeds,
accompanied by u gentleman said to be her
brother, came to New York, and engaged
house in Fourth street. Her rich dress and
refinement of manner, combined with great
| personal attractions, rendered her nelghbors
most desirous of obtaining an introduction to
her, and curiosity was rife as to where she
| came from and who she was. Her brother,
| for he really stood in that relationship to her,
was young man enjoying the command OF
ready money to considerable amount, who
easily made acquintances among others OF
his own age. His manners were very pleas
| ing, and his demeanor was polished, while
his attire, though extremely quiet and unpre-
! tending. was always in the best possible taste.
So favorable was the impression which he
created in the minds of his new friends, that
several of them invited him to their own
homes, andiin a short time his circle of intim-
ates increased to such degree that he, in his
turn, was enabled to give receptions in
Fourth street.
His name was Vaughan, and his sister had
been married to a colonel of the Confederate
army, who had been killed in action during
the war. Young Vaughan succeeded to a
handsome competence on the death of his
father; and Col Wilson, who had also been
a man of property, had left sufficient behind
him to support his widow in manner be-
coming his position. This tale was support
ed by the evidence of two OF three other
young men, frequently to be met in Waugh
ans apartments, who We're also from the
South and was so fully borne out by all the
circumstances Of the period and their mode
Of life, that the brother and sister were tactly
permitted to take their place in society as
fashionable people.
Among many others who visited Mrs. Will
son was a Mr.. johnson and his family, who
possessed Il large store on Broadway To
this gentleman the widow was especially at
tentiye, and vowed that her purchases for the
future should be made from no other person
than himself Day after day she visited his
store and bought largely, invariably payin g
ready money, until his confidence in her was
fully established, and he told her that he
should be most happy to give her credit, if at
any time it would be more agreeable to her
She replied that she was only a woman, and
conse quently knew nothing Of business, SC
she preferred to pay at once, that she might
know exactly how she was situated, but
promised to avail herself of his kind Offer
,, should she ever feel the need of it. One
benefit there was, however, which he could
confer on her. Would he be so kind as tC
show her over his store? She had never had
an opportunity before Of becoming acquaint-
ed with the resources OF so large an establish
ment. Mr.. johnson, only too willing to be
polite to so excellent q customer, Immediate
ly accedcd to her request, and laid his
: treasures bare before her, and exhibited
some of his most costly goods, She asked Al
what hour business was commenced, at Wha
hour concluded; and after thanking him sin
: cerely for his courtesies, took her leave.
} was not long before the worthy merchant
had cause to regret this moment of weakness
and subsequent events proved to him how
easy it is for a good-looking woman to cajolc
| man, however wide-awake he may be.
''sNEAK THIEVES"
} New York at this time was infested by
gang of rogues who had introduced Il new
system of shoplifting, and had successfully
victimzed many of the larger storekeeper
/ in the city As their course of action wa
+ entirely fresh, a new name had to be invent
ed for them, and they were christened ''sneak'
thieves by the police. for the cunning way il
which they effected their depredations an(
the difficulty experienced in detecting them
Mr.. johnson, who but a few days before haC
been boasting of his immunity from theft
was much annoyed when on arriving on
morning at his store he was informed by hi
managing man that some very valuable
articles had been abstracted during the nigh
5 or early in the morning. The goods wer,
safe enough when the store was closed OF
the preceding evening, as he had himsel
seen them, but were missing when the clerk
arrived in the morning. Mr.. johnson a
once called in the police, and an experienced
: detective was sent to gather all the informa-
ton on the subject he could. On hearing
+ the circumstances of the case, this gentle
E man at once recognized the agency of a sneal
thief and impaired his suspicious to the pro
l~.Nx,, ,fI 4.
Il them.
II should like to have a few words will
y your porter" he said.
Certainly, but hope you don't suspec
him, as he is an old favorite, and has been il
our employ for years"
''Not in the least; but fancy he can hell
US for all that. Did you ever hear of a sneal
hief, sir ?
''No. What are they?"
; ''If you will send for the porter, and stay
here while l question him, you will sool
understand that
The porter shortly entered the room, look
) ing very much alarmed He had heard OF
, the robbery, and that police officer was
closeted with Mr.. johnson, and naturally
r feared that he had fallen under suspicion
The first words Of the detective, however
relieved him from all apprehension on that
score.
''Now my man. want to ask you a few
questions, and you must answer me carefully.
2 Don't be frightened, we know that YOU have
: had nothing to do with this robbery, but |
fancy you can help me in finding out who
had"
VERY good, sir; but don't know how. -
"Who closed the warehouse last night ?'
: 81 did, sir.''
"And you are certain that all was securely
fastened?"
Exactly the same as every other night
"And the fastenings had not been tamper-
ed with in any way when you undid them in
, the morning?''
'No, sir.'
"Well, now, who was the first person tc
) whom you spoke to-day?"
; 81 think it was sMr.-."( ."(Naming one OF
the clerks.)
i. "Ah, but thinking won't do. Did not any
: one speak to you, OF ask any questions OF
you?"
} Eyes, a gentleman did ask me what time
Mr.. johnson usually came to the store, as he
wanted to see him about some ORDERS"
"What sort of a man was he? can you de-
J scribe him?"
He was young gentleman, very pleasant.
spoken, dark, with moustache, and very