The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1870-05-12
A DETECTIVE STORY
OPERATIONS OF "sNEAK-THIEYES y
HOW MERCHANTS ARE ROBBED.

Not very long ago a lady, in wild
ows' weeds, accompanied by gentle
man said to be her brother, came to
new York, and engaged a house in
Fourth street. Her rich dress and re-
finement of manner, combined with
great personal attractions, rendering
her neighbors most desirous of OBJ
tanning an introduction to her, and Gu
riosity was rife as to where she came
from and who she was. Her brother,
for he really stood in that relation
ship to her, was q young man enjoy
ing the command of ready money to q
considerable amount, who easily made
-acquafHIances among others of his
own age. His manners were very
pleasing, and his demeanor was pol
ished, while his attire, though ex-
tremely quiet and unpretending, was
always in the best possible taste. So
favorable was the impression which
he created in the minds of his new
friends, that several of them invi ed
him to their own homes, and in a
short time his circle of intimates in
creased to such a degree that he, in
his turn, was enabled to give recep-
tons in Fourth street.
His name was Vaughan, and his SIS
ter had been married to colonel in
the Confederate army, who had been
killed in action during the war;
Young. Vaughan succeeded to a hand
some competence on the death of his
father; and Colonel Wilson, who had
also been man of property, had left
sufficient behind him to support his
widow in manner becoming his po-
sition. This tale was supported by
the evidence, of two or three other
young men, frequently to be met in
Vaue hams apartments, who were al
so from the South, and was so fully
borne out by all the circumstances of
the period and their mode of life, that
the brother and sister were tacitly
permitted to take their place in socie-
ty as fashionable people.
Among many others who visited
Mrs. Wilson was Mr.. johnson and
his family, who possessed large store
on Broadway. TO this gentleman the
widow was especially attentive, and
vowed that her purchases for the fu-
ture should be made from no other
person than himself. Day after day
she visited his store and bought large
ly, invariably paying ready money,
until his confidence in her was fully
established, and he told her that he
should be most happy to give her
credit, if at any time it might be more
agreeable to her. She replied that
she was only woman, and conse-
quently knew nothing of business, SO
she preferred to pay at once, that she
might know exactly how she was sit
uated, but promised to avail herself of
his kind offer should she ever feel the
hSSS OA 1bs INV OCiCiib 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 becom-
ing acquainted with the resources of
so large an establishment. Mr.. John
son, only too willing to be polite to
so excellent q customer, Immediately
acceded to her request, and laid his
treasures bare before her, and exhib-
tied some Of his most costly goods
She asked at what hour business was
commenced, at what hour concluded !;
and after thanking him sincerely for
his courtesiesy took her leave. 1t was
not long before the worthy merchant
had cause TO regret this moment of
weakness, and subsequent events
proved to him how easy it is for a
good-looking woman to cajole man,
however wide awake he may be.
SNEAK THIEVES"