The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-04-13
THE STONE VAULT.
[From the N o. Times.]

[From the n 0. Tmes.1
CONTINUED
did not rise early, and was quite
behind my usual time. But when !
reached our place l fonnd it in great
commntion. Clerks running hilher and
thither, the heads of the firm standing
about in the most unbusiness like man
ner, and three constables on the prem
Uses.
"What is the matter, sir9" l said, add
dressing VI. Grinby.
"Matter enough" said he. "We've
been very heavily robbed"
81 fancied that couldn't happen
here" said l. 81 really believed il
would be impossible for burglars tc
break iuto Morris: Grinby g. Sons, SIR
"Ah," said he, "tl.ey did not break
in. The door has been quietly opened
from the inside"
"And believe" began Mr.. Nor.
ris.'
"Sir," cried young Mr.. Grinby, ouI
of breath, 81 beg as gentleman, as ;
man of principle, you will not give ut
terance to your unfounded suspicion
totally unfOunded and unworthy O
yen"
"prove them so, sir,' said Mr.. Nor
ris, coolly, "and ri apologize"
looked an inquiry.
"Don't ask explanations, l beg, Mr.
Hnmpl,ries," said Mr.. Grinby. "Some
thing has been said, which the spcake
will regret. All, there comes my mes
sengcr."
And in ran one If our boys.
"Well, Tom ?" said Nj. Grinby.
"Mr. Wade amt been home "a i night
sir" said Tom.
81 told you So" said Mr.. Morris.
"And tell you even yet will no
hear my dear friends yes, my yer,
dear friend's-character aspel s',d, sal
young Grinby. "Hnmphries, kno,
You love Ben Wade as l do. Fame
imagining him connected with thi
robbery. AS well suspect my father
or myself, or you.'
:.He's missing" said Mr.. Morris
shutting the door upon us three. "H
|
was seen to return late in the evening
He was one of "A band of house break
ers when we took him in, aud man
declare the character to he formed q
six years. old. He was nine. | heliev
he has been won back to'his old ways.
"You will not express your belief t
Others" said Mr.. Grinby.
"Not as yet, most certainly" sal
Mr. Morris.
Well, sir, that was a bitter day t
me--a bitter day. We could lear
nothing of young Wade after eigl
O'clock on the previous night. The
several had seen him. He had take
tea at little coifeellouse, as he some
times did when he did not intend t
return home until quite late, and ha
said to some one there, 81 must Z
back to- the Office. l have forgotte
something"
Halt an hour afterwards, Mike, til
porter, had passed him III the stree
and young Wade had said:
"What's the time, Mike 7"
The porter told him.
81 shall be too late" he said.
have ian engagement, and must go bac
to our place for q parcel have fol
gotten"
An apple woman on the corner Ia
seen him enter. He often bought fru
from her for lunch, and she knew hi
well by sight.
i There the news ended. until Mil
going in to light the fires, found ii
placer, scene of confusion desks an
safes rifled, papers strewn about, al
every mark of systematic burglary.
Later in the day Lncy Evans can
down. Her bsl t!ier had sent her wo
of what had occurred. She believ,
some terrible accident had llappen'
to Ben, and begged the firm to spa
no efforts to discover him. She W
) almost. distracted, and who can wo
Iders They had been going togeth,