The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-11-24
WESTMINSTER Nd THURSDAY MORNING. NOVEMBER "a 1871

FoAaA uulIlN ulG
hearty supper. Aud nothing else
could make me fancy young Wade at
my bedside, white as ghost with both
hands on my breast"
All, but the nightmare is always
black, not white" said my wife. And
then she went to a little cupboard and
brought me glass Of wine. After that
went to sleep ngaiu
did not rise early, and was quite
behind my usual time. When reached
our place found it in a 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. We've
been heavily robbed"
IL fancied that couldn't happen
here" said |. Il really believed it
would be impossible for burglars to
break into Morris, Grinby 4 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, | beg ne gentleman, as II
mau of principle, you will not give Ut
terance to your unfounded suspicious
total ) unfounded aud unworthy of you "
Prove them so, sir" said Mr.. Nor
ris, coolly, aud I'll apologize"
| looked an inquiry.
" Don't ask explanations, beg, Mr.,
liumphries" said Mr. Grnby, Some
thing has been said the spe ker will
regret, All there comes my mes.
senger"
And in ran one Of our boys
Well, Tom 7" said Mr. Grinby.
" Mr.. Wade amt been home all night,
sir" said Tom.
a" told you So" said Mr.. Morris.
And | tell you even yet | will not
hear my dear iricnd's-yes, my very
dear character u>persed," said
young Grinby. "Humphries, | know
you love Ben Wade as | do. Fancy
imagining him connected with this rob
berry. As well suspect my father, or
myself or you
He's missing" snid Mr.. Morris.
shutting the door upon us three. He
was seen to return late in 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
old. lie nine. | believe he has
been w.n back to his old ways"
" You will not express your belief to
Others said Mr. Griuby
Not as yet, most certainly" said
Mr Morris.
Well, sir, that was bitter day to me
"A bitter day. We could learn nothing
of young Wade after eight O'Clock on
the previous ght Then several had
seen him. lie had taken tea ut little
cotleehousc, as he sometime did when
he did not return home until quite late,
aud had said to some one there, IL must
go buck to the Off, g, | have forgotten
something"
Half an hour afterwarl, Mike, the
porter, had passed him in the street,
aud young Wade had said:
What's the time, Mixer"
The porter told him.
| shall be too late" he said. 81
have an engagement, and must 20 back
TO our place for parcel I've forgotten "
An Apple woman GU the corner had
seen him enter He often bought fruit
from her for lunch, aud she knew him
well by sight.
There the news ended, until Mike
going in to light the fires, found the
place scene Of coniusion-desks aud
safes riaed, papers strewn about and
every mark Of systematic burglary.
Latter in the day Lucy Evans came
down. Her brother had sent her word
OF what had occurred. She believed
some tesrible accident had happened to
Ben, aud begged the firm to spare no
efforts to discover him. She was almost
distracted, and who eau wonder? They
had been going together, it seemed, to
some play the night before, aud she had
been sufficiently alarmed by his falling
to keep the appointment to be in
measure prepared for worse. She knew
hl intended to bring her a book. He
had spoken of it, That must have been
the parcel he went back for. Or course
she never doubted him, and no one dar
ed to hint at what had been whispered.
in his presence.
For weeks, sir, the authorities we're
at work. lmmense rewards were Of
fered for the burglars, aud for the re-
covery, alive or dead, of young Beuja.
man Wade, but without the least eff.
feet
We were notified of every body
washed ashore, aud of every unknown
man found deOd for months, and at last
there were few who did not laugh ut
poor Ben's friends for their credulty.
1t seemed plain to them--and may
Heaven not JUICE them as they judged
their brother-Beu Wade was guilty
Poor Lucy never looked up. 1t was
easy enough to see that her heart was
broken, aud in year she died. just
week too soon TO hear what shall tell
you.
One morning | was very busy at my
desk in the Office when u gentleman
came in aud asked for either Mr.. Morris
or Mr.. Grinby. Old Mr.. Grinby was
home with the guut, but Mr.. Morris
and the young gentleman were in
| saw the gentleman was clergy
man, and fancied he had called to solicit
u substitution for some mission 10 thu