The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-07-06

experienced in detecting them. Mr..
Johnson, who but few days before
had been boasting Of his immunity
from theft, was much annoyed when
on arriving one morning at his store
was informed by his managing man
that some very valuable articles had
been abstraeted during the night or
early in the morning. The goods were
safe enough when the store was closed
on the preceding evening, as he had
himself seen them, but were missing
when the clerks arrived in the morn
ing. Mr.. Johnson at once called in the
police. and an experienced detective
was sent to gather all the information
on the subject he could. On hearing
the circumstances of the case, this gen.
tleman at once recognized the agency
of a sneak thief, and impaired his sus-
picions to the proprietors of the store,
with his reasons for them.
~ should like to have few words
with your porter" he said.
"Certainly, but hope you don't sus-
pect him, as he is an old favorite, and
has been in our employ for years."
"Not in the least; but fancy he can
help us for all that. Did you ever hear
of sneak thief ?"
"No. What are they?"
eff you will send for the porter, and
stay here while I question him, you
will soon understand that2"
The porter soon entered the room,
looking very much alarmed. He had
heard of the robbery, and that police
officer was eloseted with Mr.. johnson,
sud naturally 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 toask you a
few questions, and you must answer
me carefully. Don't be frightened, we
know that you have had nothing to do
with this robbery, but I fancy you can
help me in finding out who has,"
avery good, sir; but I don't know
| how"
"IVho closed the warehouse las
nightm
'T did, SIR"
"And you are certain that all wa;
securely fasteaed9"
"Exactly the same as every othe
night"
/ "And the fastenings had not beer
tempered with in any way when you
undid them in the morning?"
"No, sir" 70
"Well, now, who was the first per
son to whom you spoke to-day ?"
~ think it was AIR. -" (naminl
, one Of the clerks.)
"Ah, but thinking won't do. Di
,, not any one speak to you, or ask an.
question of you ?"
!, eyes, q gentleman did ask ME wha
: time Mr.. johnson usually came to til
: store, as he wanted to see him abou
some orders"
"What sort ola man was heg ca
: you describe him ?"
"He was young gentleman, yer
pleasant-spoken, dark, with q NOUS
> tache, and very well dressed. He sal
lie came from the country, and We
traveller to a firm in the same line {
7 ours, who were going to buy Target
: from us.'
"Was he aloneP"
: 'sNo, there were two others wit
, him, sir-both nice looking youn
gents"
ssDid he come in?'
- so, yes, he came in; ! hadjust opel
J ed the door, and was sweeping tt
floor, so he walked straight up to II
- and"
> "Did his friends come i'll, too ?"
- 81 am net quite sure of that, but
y, think they must have, as it was raj
ing, and they wouldn't stand out in II
: wet"
" "should you know them again if "
~ saw them?"
10 IL should know two of them-t
Id one who spoke to me, and anotht
n who had a carpet bag in his hand.
Id walked little lame"
I'd "Thatll do, porter; You need not s
i anything outside, but I'm afraid
re have not learned much"
g GAN right, sir"
= AS soon as he had gone the dctecti
o. turned to Mr.. johnson and said: "1
e. will soon get your property back,
i'd pect, sir. Those three men are she
X thieves, and if they are the same
Is. lieve them to be, 1 think know the
as They always pursue the same plan
I'd, First Of all they discover from Il CT
Tor federate, generally female, the pli
as where the best booty is to be most G
mt lily obtained. They then rise early
Of the morning, and wait outside III
, is the porter opens the door, taking ST
od care that no one is observing them
y l.