Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-02-23
A DEFECTIVE STORY.
Operations OF "Sneak-Thfe@es'' s''-Hoyv
Merchants are Robbed.
LErnrn the .Neuz York Enstl ----


From the New York Fostl s
Not very long ago o lady, in widows
weeds, accompanied bya gentleman said to
be her brother, came to New York and en-
gagged house IN Fourth street. Her rich
dress and refinement of manner, confined
with great personal attractions, rendered
her neighbors most adesirous of obtaining
an introduction TO her. and curiosity was
rife as to where she came from aud who she
was. Her brother, for he really stood in
that relationship to her, was young man
enjoying the command of ready money to
q considerable. amount, who ca sily made
aoquaintances among others Of his own
age His manners were very pleasing, and
his demeanor was polished, while his at
tire though extremely quiet and unpre-
tending, was always in the best possible
taste. So favorable was the impression
which he created irstlfe minds of bis new
friends, that several = xssasn invited l.,i tc
their own homes, and in short time his
circle of intimates increased to such q de-
gree that he, III sturn, was enable to give
receptions in Fourth street. = e@s@
His name was Vaughan, and his sister
had been ma fit9 to 4 colonel in the Con-
federate army, WHO kai-b been killed in ac-
tion during the war. Young Vaughan sue
ceeded to handsome competence on the
death of his father; and Colonel Wilson,
who had also been q man of property, had
left sufficient behind him to support his
widow in u manner becoming his position
This tale was supported by the evidence of
two or three other young men, frequently
TO be met in Vaughap's apartments, who
were also from the Soul b.. and was so fully
borne out by all the circumstances of the
period and their mode of life, that the
brother and sister were tacitly permitted to
20 take their place in society as fashionable
people.
Among many others who visited Mrs
Wilson was Dir. johnson and his family
Who possessed q large store on Broadway
20 this gentleman the.widow was especial
2 attentive, and vowed that her purchases
Or the future should be made from no 9th
person than, himself. Day after day she
isited his store and bought largely, invar-
IDLY paying ready money, until his con-
dence in her was fully established, and he
old her tnat he should be most happy to
i've her credit, if at any time it might be
iore agreeable to her, She replied that
ne was only woEian, and consequently
new nothing of business, so she preferred
pay at once, that she might know exact
how she was situate d. but promised to
vail herself of his kind offer should she
yer feel the need OF it.. One benefit there
as, however, which he could confer on
yer his store? She had never had an op-
0rtunity before of becoming acquainted
lth the resources of so large an establish
.ent. MIR. johnson, only too willing to
polite to so excellenta customer, i'm
ediately acceded to her request, and laid
s treasures Eare b fole her, and exhibited
me of his most costly goods. She asked
what hour business was commenced, at
hat hour concluded; and after thanking
" 4,,1aE l.
ave. 1t was not long before the worthy
erchant had cause to regret this moment
weakness, and subsequent events proved
him how easy it is for good-looking
oman TO caj0le q man however wide
wake he may be.
''sNEAK THIEVES
New York at this time was infested by
ang of rogues who bad introduced new
ystem of shoplifting. and had success fully
rictimized many Of the larger storekeepers
the city. As their course of action was
entirely fresh, a new name had to be in
rented Tor them, and they were christened
''sneak thieves by the police, fromsthe
cunning way in which they effected their !
dspredations and the difficulty experienced
in detecting them. Mr.. Johnson, who but
few days before had been boasting of his
immunity from theft was much ANNOYED |
when en- arriving one morning at his store
some very valuable articles had been ab- |
stracted during the night or early in the
morning. The goods were sefe enough
when the Store was closed on the preced-
ing evening, as he had himself seen them,
but were missing when the clerks arrived
in the morning. Mr.. Johnson at once cal
led in the police, and an experienced de
tective was sent to gather all the -forma-
ton on the subject he could. On hearing
the circumstances of the case, this gentle
man at once recognized the agency of O
sneak thief, and impaired his suspicious to
the proprietors of the store, with his rea
sons for them. s.#. ....- ---- --|
II should like to have few words with
your porter" lie said --s.-.-. .... s.. -.
Certainly; but hope yon don't suspect
him, as he is an old favorite. and has been
in our employ for years, e-s-- 81
mot in the least; but I fancy he can help
US for all that. Did you ever hear of a
sneak thief, sir2"
mo. What are they?
I'll you Will send for the porter, and stay
here while Iquestion him, you will soon
unders, and that"
The porter shortly entered tue room,
looking very much alarmed. He had heard
of the robbery, and that police officer was
closeted with Mr.. johnson, and 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. I want to ask you a few
questions, and you must answer me care
fully. Don't be frightened, we know that
you have had nothing to do with this rob
berry, but ] fancy you can help me in find
ing out who has"
Very good sir; but don't know how" :"
"Who closed the warehouse last night?"
II did, sir" -.-
"And You are certain that all was secure
ly fastened?" -s-
Exactly the same as every other night"
"Andthe fastenings had not been tamper-
ed with i'll any way when you undid tRem
this morning. egg y -- aas- f"
No, sir"
"Well, now, who was the first person to
whom you spoke today"
81 think it was Mr.. -" (Naming
one of the clerks.)
''Ah, but thinking won't do. Did not
any one speak to you, or ask any question
of your"
Eyes, a gentleman did ask me what time
Mr.. johnson usually came to the store, as
lie wanted TO see him about some orders. "
'What sort OF q man was he? can you de-
scribe bim."
HE was young gentleman, very pleas
ant-spoken, dark, with a moustache, and
very well dressed He said he came from
thecountry, and was traveller to firm in
the same line as ours, who were going to
buy largely from us"
WAS he aloneg
s.No. there were two others with him, sir,
both nice-Iooking young gents"
"Did he come in?
"Oh YES. he came in; had Just opened
the door and was sweeping the floor, so he
walked straight up to me and.
s.Did his friends come in too?'
I'm not quite sure OF that, but think
they must have, as it was raining, and the,
wouldn't stand out IN the wet.
Should you know them again, II you saw
them"