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

Not very long ago lady, IN WIDOW
weeds, accompanied by a gentleman
said to be her brother, came to New
York, and engaged house on Fourth
street. Her rich dress and refinement
Of manner, combined with great per-
sonal attractions, rendered her neigh
bors most DESTROYS of obtaining an in
PRODUCTION 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 q
young man enjoying the command of
ready money to a considerable amount,
who easily made acquaintances among
others of his own age. His manners
were very pleasing, and his deineanor
was polished, while his attire, though
extremely quiet and unpretendipg, 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, and in a short time
his circle of intimates increased to such
Il degree that he, in his turn, was ena-
bled to give receptions in Fourth
street.
His name was Vaughan, and his sis
ter had been married to Colonel OF
the Confederate army, who had beef
killed in action during the war. Young
, Vaughan succeeded to handsome
competence on the death Of his father
iand Colonel Wilson, who had also beer
man of property, had left sufiicien
behind him to support his widow in ;
) manner becoming his position. Thi
! tale was supported by the evidence 0
two or three young men, frequently t.
, be met in Vaughan's apartments, VIII
we're also from the South, and was s.
fully borne out by all the circumstan
ces of the period and their mode oflife
, that the brother and sister were tacitl.
permitted to take their place in societ.
as fashionable people.
Among many others who visite,
Mrs. Wilson was Mr.. johnson an'
, his family, who possessed a large stoT
> on Broadway. To this gentleman TIN
widow was especially attentive, an
vowed that her purchases for the flu
ture should be made from no othe
person than himself. Day after da
:, she visited his store and bought large
= ly, invariably paying ready money
until his confidence in her was full
:, established, and he told her he shout
e be most happy to give her credit, if
:, any time it would be more agreeab
,. to her. She replied that she was onl
a woman, and consequently knew notl
ing of business, so she preferred to pa
! at once, that she might know exactl
how she was situated, but promised
avail herself of his kind offer shoul
:. she ever feel the need of it. One bel
eft there was, however, which he cou
= confer on her. Would he be so XIII
% as to show her over his store? 81
lie had never had an opportunity befo
OF of becoming acquainted with the +
sources of so large an establishment.
Mr.. johnson, only too willing to be p
Id lite to so excellent customer, INN
diately acceded to her request, and la
az his treasures bare before her, and e
hibited some of his most costly gooi
She asked at what hour business "
. Icommenced, at what hour conclude
and after thanking him sincerely
his courtesies, took her leave. It W
not long before the worthy mercha
had cause to regret this moment
% weakness, and subsequent ever
proved to him how easy it is forage
looking woman to cajSle a man; no
ever wide awake he may be.
New York at this time was infest
y by gang Of rogues who had int
duced a new system of shopliftinS, q
DR. had successfully yictimized many
the larger storekeepers in the city.
nj. their course of action was entir
fresh, a new name had to be invent
rs for them, and they were christel