Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-10-19

robbery. As well suspect my father,
or myself, or you"
.'He's missing said Mr.. Morris,
shutting the door upon us three. ''He
was seen to return late in the evening.
He was one of band of house-break-
ers when we took him in, and many
declare the character to be formed at
six years old. He was nine. | be-
Iieve he has been won back to his old
ways
''You viii uot express your belief to
others, ," said Mr.. Grinby.
''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 night. Then
several had seen him. He had taken
tea at q little conee-housc, as he some
times did, and when he did not return
home till late, and had said to said some
one there: Il must 60 back to the
Office. I have forgotten something.'s
Half an hour afterwards, Mike, the
porter, had passed him in the street,
and young Wade had said:
"What's the time, Mike q:
The porter told him.
Il shall be too late," he said. 'I
have an engagement, and must go back
to our place for parcel I've forgot
tens
An apple woman on the corner had
seen him enter. lie often bought fruit
from her for lunch, and she knew him
well by sight.
There the news ended, until Mike
going in to light the fires, found the
place a scene Of confusion-desks II
fed. papers strewn about, and every
mark of systematic burglary.
later in the day, Lucy Evans nac;;
come down. Her brother had sent
her word of what had occurred. She
believed some terrible accident had
happened to Ben, and begged the firm
to spare no efforts to discover him.
She was almost distracted; and who
can wonder? They had been going
together, it seemed, to some play
the night before, and she had been
sufficiently alarmed by his failing to
keep the appointment, to be, ina meas
ure, prepared for the worst. She knew
he intended to bring her a book. He
had spoken of it. That must have
been the parcel he went back for. Of
course she never doubted him, and no
one dared to hint at what had been
whispered, in her presence.
For a week, sir, the authorities were
at work. Immense rewards were of
fered for the burglars, and for the re-
covcry, alive or dead, Of young Ben
jamin Wade, but without the least
effect.
We were notified Of everybody
washed ashore, and Of every unknown
man found dead for months, and at
last there were few who did not laugh
at poor Ben's friends for their credu-
lity.
1t seemed plain to them-and may
Heaven not judge them as they judged
their brother-Ben Wade was guilty
Poor Lucy never lookedup. 1t was
easy enough to see that her heart was
broken, and in a year she died, just a
week too soon to hear what L shall tell
you.
One morning was busy at my desk
in the office, when gentleman came
in and asked for either Mr.. Morris or
Mr.. Grinby. Old Mr.. Grinby was at
home with the gout, and Mr.. Morris
and the young gentleman were in. l
saw that the gentleman was clergy
man, and fancied he had called to So
hcit a subscription for some mission to
the heather, or Sunday School, or new
church. But his first words made me
start. They were these:
you remember, Of course, q bur
glary committed here a year ago or
more.''
could not keep my seat, but went
forward trembling like leaf.
Young Mr.. Grinby had turned quite
faint, and was leaning against the wall
for support.
''You are agitated,'' said the clergy
man; Il fear you will be still more
affected by what you must soon hear.
\ person now in custody, condemned
to execution, has confession to make
to YOU in regard to that affair-a very