The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-11-09

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known to be strictly honest. The bSy
had been with me in the etore for over
O year; and had in the course OF that
time had many o.. chance to take ten
times the amount that was in my wallet,
but had never yet touched cent. OF
course GOULD NOT suspect my wife and
sister. But, who could be the burglarp
The next morning my wife missed her
gold .watcbl This was too much. We
had fastened the door of our chamber,
and the only means of access was door
way lending into my sisters room; but if
they came that way, they did so without
waking her or any one else.
Matters progressed in this manner for
three nights more, the first Of which my
watch was taken, and the second my
gold pencil, and the third my wife's
jewel case from trunk at the head of
the boy boldly of robbing the house, ut
which he was so taken aback and indig-
nant that he left the store Immediately,
went TO the house and packed his satchel
and started for tho depot; but had M
officer already there, who ut once arrest
ell him inst ns he was stepping on the
train. At being thus publicly accused,
arrested, searched, the boy was SO rs
tonishcd and ashamed that he cried, and
begged Of me to let him go home. But
[ thought this only q ruso to get away
on, and answered him that would let
him go home when he came down with
tho watches, jewelry and money. At
this the boy broke into sobs, and pro-
tested his innocence. But I did not be-
lieve him, and had him taken to the
village lookup. He was examined that
afternoon, and the evidence was so
strong against him, on his attempting to
leave town so suddenly after the robbie
ries, that justice supposed he was the
guilty one, and said it must go up to the
County Court, which would be in ses-
sion in three weeks, and if nobody gave
bail he must go to Jail to wait for the
trial. He was sent to the Jail Mt the
County seat, some six miles distant.
That night we supposed We were rid
of the burglar, and slept soundly with
out the fear of losing any more valua-
bles. But what was our CONSERVATION,
in the morning, to find my wife's finger
rings gone! She had accidentally left
them the night before on the stand; but
they were gone, sure. Now, who was
the burglar? The next night resolved
to watch. 1 accordingly provided my
self with a revolver and retired-not to
sleep, but to keep awake and watch.
About midnight hearda slight noise in
my sisters room, and shortly after her
door slowly opened. 1 clutched my
cooked revolver nervously MS the burglar
was coming. When the door was swung
open, 1 saw my own sister, in her night
clothes, sound asleep, with lamp in her
hand! She came into the room with
cat-like step. She moved straight to the
head Of our bed, and took fancy china
matchbox off the stand, and then went
back with the same noiseless step. I
arose as quietly as I could and followed
her into her room. She went at once to
her trunk, and having opened it, also
opened the false top. which she let down
from the cover: and, looking over her
shoulder, I saw my wallet, the two
watches, the jewel case, my gold pencil,
and several other things that had been
missed.
went back and awokc my wife, who
came in, and then we awokc the SOM
nambulist with the open trunk before
her. The mystery was explained and the
real robber caught. at daylight, I was
Oh the road to the County Jail, accompa-
MED by the proper officer, going as fast
ms horsefesh could carry us, to release
Harry. johnson, the boy I had impri-
soned on mere supposition.
To-day, that boy is my equal partner,
and the firm name reads Sanford &
Johnson, and my sister is severely cured
of somnambulism.
Proverbs What is not needed is dear
ut any price.
Men often blush to hear what they arc
not ashamed to do.