Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1870-06-09
A Detective Story.
Operations of "Sneak Thives''-
How Merchants are Robbed.
Form the New York Pest

NoI very long ago laoy, III
widows weeds, accompanied by
a gentleman said to be her broth
er, came TO New York and engaged
a house in Fourth street. Hel
rich dress and refinement of man.
ner, combined with great person.
al attractions, rendered her neigh.
| bors most desirous of obtaining an
introduction 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 a young
man enjoying the command Of
ready money to a considerable a,
mount, who easily made acquain.
tances among others of his own
age. His manners were very
| pleasing, and his demeanor was
polished, while his attire, though
extremely quiet and unpretend-
ing, was always in the best possi-
bic 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 in
creased 10 such a degree that he.
in his turn, was enabled to give
receptions in Fourth street.
His name was Vaughan, and
his sister had been married to a
colonel in the Confederate army,
who had been killed in action du-
ring the war. Young Vaughan
succeeded to a handsome coupe
tence on the death of his father;
and Colonel Wilson, who had also
been a man of property, had left
sufficient behind him to support
his widow in a manner becoming
his position. This tale was sup
ported by the evidence of two or
three other young men, frequent
ly to be met in Vaughan's ap-
artments, who were also from the
South, and was so fully borne out
by all the circumstance OF the
period and their mode Of life, that
the brother and sister were tacitly
permitted to take their place in
society as fashionable people.
Among many others who visited
Mrs. Wilson was a Mr.. johnson
and his family, who possessed a
large store on Broadway. 70
this gentleman the widow was es-
pecially attentive, and vowed
that her purchases for the future
should be made from no other
person than himself. Day after
day she visited his store and bought
largely, invariably paying ready
money, until his confidence in her
was fully established, and he told
her that he should be most hap
py to give her credit, if at any
time it might be more agreeable to
her. She replied that she was
only a woman, and consequently
knew nothing of business, so she
preferred to pay at once, that she
might know exactly how she was
situated, but promised to avail
herself of his kind offer should
she ever feel the need of it. One
benefit there was, however, which
he could confer on her. Would
he be SO kind as to show her over
his store? She had never had
an opportunity before of becoming
acquainted with the resources of SO
large an establishment. Mr.. John
son, only too willing to be polite
to so excellent a customer, imme-i
diately acceded to her request,
and laid bis treasures bare before
her, and exhibited some OF his
most costly goods. She asked at
what hour business was COM
menced, at what hour concluded ;
and after thanking him sincerely
for his courtesies, took her leave.
1t was not long before the worthy
merchant had cause to regret this
moment of weakness, and subse-
quent events proved to him how
easy it is for a good looking wo-
man to cajole man, however wide
awake he may be.
tsSNEAK THIEVES.
New York at this time was IN
tested by a gang Of rogues who
had introduced a new system OF
shoplifting, and had successfully
victimized many of the larger
storekeepers in the city. AS their
course OF action was entirely fresh,
a new name had to be invented
for them, and they were chris
tened 'sneak" thieves by the po-
lice, from the cunning way in
(which they effected their depreda-
tions and the difficulty experienced
in detecting them. Mr.. johnson,
Iwho but a few days before bad