The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-11-24
MESTMINSTER, MD THURSDAY MORNING NOVEMBER d. l87l

/ hAlh uIH
a hearty supper. Aud nothing else
could make me fancy young Wade at
my bedside, white as ghost with both
hands on my breast"
"Ah, but the nightmare is always
black, not white" said my wife. Aud
then she went to a little cupboard and
brought me glass of wine. After that
| went to sleep agaiu.
| did not rise early, and was quite
behind my usual time. When reached
our place | found it in great commo.
ton. Clerks running hither aud thither.
the heads Of the firm standing about in
the most uubusiness like manner, aud
three constables on the premises.
What is the matter, sir ?" | said,
addressing Mr.. Grinby.
" Matter enough" =" said he. "Wc've
been heavily robbed"
Il fancied that couldn't happen
here" said |. d" | really believed il
would be impossible for burglars to
break into Morris, Griuby & Sons sir. ;"
"Ah," said he, they did rot break
in' The door has been quietly opened
from the inside"
And | believe" began Mr.
Morris.
Sir" cried young Grinby, out OF
breath, Z" beg ne gentleman, as u
man of principle, you will not give ut
terance to your unfounded uspicions- -
totally uniounded aud unworthy of you. "
" Prove them so, sir" said Mr.. Nor
rls, coolly, and I'll apologize"
| looked au inquiry.
" Don't ask explanations, beg, Mr..
Ilumphries'" said Mr., Gruby. Some
thing has been said the spe ker will
regret All there comes my mes.
seuger."
And in ran one of our boys
" Well, Tom 7" said Mr.. Grinby.
"Mr. Wade amt been home all night,
sir" said Tom.
" | told you so" said Mr.. Morris.
" And tell you even yet | will not
hear my dear lricnd's-yes, my very
dear friend's-chara,ter a>perscd," said
young Grinby. "Humphries, | know
you love Ben Wade as | do. Fancy
him connected with this rob
berry As well suspect my father, or
myself or you
He's missing" said Mr.. Morris,
the door upon US three. "He
was seen to return late 10 the evening
lie was one of band of house breakers
when we took him in, aud many declare
The character to be formed at six years
DID. lie nine. | believe he has
been w.u back to his old ways"
-" You will not express your belief to
others" said Mr.. tiriDby.
Not as yet, most certainly" said
Mr. Morris.
Well, sir, that was bitter day 10 me
IA bitter day We could learn nothing
If young Wade after eight o'clock on
he previous ght. Then several had
iecn him. lie had taken tea at little
as he sometime, did when
he did not return home until quite late,
Iud had said to some one there, IL must
70 back to the Off ., | have forgotten
something"
Half an hour afterward, Mike, the
porter, had pissed him in the street,
Iud young Wade had said:
What's the time, Mike"
The porter told him.
shall be too late," he said. ~
iave an engagement, and must 20 back
o our place for parcel I've forgotten
An Apple woman on the corner had
een him euter. He often bought fruit
rom her for lunch, aud she knew him
we'll by sight.
There the news ended, until Mike
;oiug in to light the fires, found the
,lace scene Of coniusion-desks and
aies riaed, papers strewn about and
very mark OF systematic burglary.
Latter in the day Lucy Evans came
lown. Her brother had sent her word
II what had occurred. She believed
ome tesrible accident had happened to
Ben, and begged the firm to spare no
'fforis to discover him. She was almost
distracted, and who can wonderY They
lad been going together, it seemed, to
ome play the night before, aud she had
been sufficiently alarmed By his falling
o keep the appointment to be in
MEASURE prepared for worse. She knew
IL intended to bring her q book. He
lad spoken of it. That must have been
he parcel he went back for, or course
he never doubted him, and no one dar
ID to hint at what had been whispered,
u his presence.
For weeks, sir, the authorities were
It work. lmmcnse rewards were Of
cred for the burglars, aud for the re.
overy, alive or dead, of young Beuja.
nan Wade, but without the least. eff.
ect.
We were notified of every body
Washed ashore, aud of every unknown
nan found deod for months, and at last
here were few who did not laugh at
'oor Ben's friends for their credulity.
IL seemed plain to them--and may
leaveu not juge them us they judged
heir brother-Ben Wade was guilty
Poor Lucy never looked up, 1t was
asy enough to see that her heart was
'roken, aud in II year she died. just
geek too soon TO hear what shall tell
ou.
One morning | was very busy at my
esk in the Office when a gentleman
ame in and asked for either MIR. Morris
r Mr.. Grinby. Old Mr.. Grinby was
omc with the guut, but Mr.. Morris
nd the young gentleman we're in
saw the gentleman was clergy
nan, aud fancied he had called 10 solicit