Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-11-01

the Boston Advertiser, OCTOBER ZS. Il nc sell
satou of yesterday was the discovery that
cashier for large establishment in this city,
man whose reputation tor honor and integrity
had been unquestioned, and who had moved in
the best circles in that part Of the city in which
he lived, had for months, and perhaps years,
pursued system Of altering accounts and steal
ing small sums of money from his employers.
An Advertiser reporter visited Oak Hall yes
tcrday and obtained the following particulars
Of the dcfalcation of Freeman Z. ltltchtlcId OF
Mr. George W. Simmons. the senior partner
of the firm of George w. Simmons 4 Go.
About three years ago he engaged Ltchhcld
as a salesman. He was then about twenty-tour
years old, OF good parcnage, OF pleasing ad-
dress. and good manners. His father was dead,
aud his mother, who has been unwel Tor some
time, is now in prccarlous condition from
illness caused by grief at her son 5 misconduct.
lie wls in poor health at the time, being en-
gagged rs Il printer in Water street, As 4 sales
man he won the confidence Of his employers,
who made him cashier after he had been in the
store hardly year His conduct in this posi-
ton was such as to increase the confidence
which the firm had in him, and they congratu
lated themselves in having such a man. tie
had become quite prominent in East Boston
society," having got up one or two maS1ucraues
which were quite successful, and had become
general favoritc.
The following was received by the firm yes
tcrday in an unpostmarked envelope:
OAK HALL Oct. n, 1871.
Ny DEAR SIR: 1t is with broken heart
pen this uotc, but your kindness and con-
tidcncc in me demand it. | must leave my
home, my position my ALL to-day. God only
knows where | shall land, but in His infinite
mercy hope His kingdom.
have straycd from the teachings of my dear
dead father and loving living mother, because
the vanity of the world tempted NE; and now
leave all that are indeed dear to me. Their
faces shall never lOUk upon again until We
meet where God $ goodness and trust will over
look my mislccdS
want you to examine my accounts carefully,
make ont the amount of the deficiency, carry it
to----, who will keep it, and some day. if this
does not distract me, will, God my witness,
pay it back twofold. Praying God will for
give my wrongs, and that all who trusted me
so long will not regard me too harshly, remain
sadly, broken hearted, and repentant, yours,
FREEMAN G. LITCHFIELD.
The amount Of the dcfacation can only be
aSccrtaincd by a careful examination of the
books through which the money was cnbezzled;
nor can it be fully determined until 1t Is known
whether he received any money and did not
mark the account paid on the book.
REMARKABLE CASE OF SUIcIDE-An cx-
traordnary case of suicide Of child of II
years. was yesterday reported at the Coronor's
office, and its investigation entered upon by
Mr. Schrmcr. The circumstances so tar as
known are peculiarly interesting, and show a
remarkable degree of determination or despair
in one so young. On Thursday afternoon
Bertha Smith aged | | years, Of precocious de-
,,l ;lipy with bnr Of
No. G59 Tenth avenue, asked permission of her
mother to visit the American Institute Fair.
Her request WAS refused on the ground that the
distance was too great, and that there was no
one to accompany her. The girl demonstrated,
and represented that some Of her female friends
were going, and that she would be back by
daylight The mother was iucXorabc, and
Bertha frctcd and mopcd about all day, not
caring to disguise or conceal her annoyance.
She found some hours later her mothers
pocket book and thinking it a good opportunl-
ty, abstractcd dollar with which to pay the
expenses of the trip that she intended to
make at any risk. Her courage, however, was
not equal to the undertaking, and before she
could restore the money, the theft was dlscov-
cred The mother questioned her as to its dis
appearance, but she stouty denied any kuowl-
edge Off Left alone her conscience began
to be troubled at the Sinfulness of her act, and
the mcndacity to which she was compelled to
resort, and she cried and sobbcd convulsivcy,
as the parents thought, at the idea of being
suspected. Bertha had read in the newspapers
that many persons had committed suicide by
swallowing Paris green; and in her childish
despair, determined to put an end to her life in
the same way. With portion of the money
she had stolen, she easily procured at nei gh-
boring drug store several ounces OF the poison
..l,. 1,... ,rI, nH,, noI
retiring to her room, deliberately mingled
portion of it with the water and drank it. For
an hour or more she held out, until rackcd by
the violent internal pains, and then disclosed
her condition to her mother. y surgeon was
immediately sent for, who applied a stomach
pump, and the other antidotcs and rcStora
tlveS, that his art suggested, but in spite of all
his efforts the little sufferer gradually sank and
died 4 victim to her over ScnSltlvcnc$S.-
lOE Star.
IrEMS-A gentleman said to IN old lady
who had brought up 4 family of children near
the river II should think you would have liv-
ed in constant fear that some would have got
drowned" oh no. responded the old Ia
dy, we only lost three or four in that way
\ Berkshire papa observed to his daughters
beau. Jim! if you want Lu you can have her,
but don want you round unless you mean
business. lfyou intend to marry her hurry
up, for | cant be kept awake nights much
longer"
Somebody once asked Tom Corwin ifhe
had heard certain story Of Lewis ID. Camp
bells. WAS it about HIMSELF, inquired Mr.:
Corwin. ''No, believe not. Well then. |
never heard it, said Mr.. Corwn, gravely.
Charles Matthews. going into an eating
house for lunch, heard as he entered and sat
down seven orders given in quick succession by
throng of as many customers. One called
for basin of OK tail soup, two for mock k-turte
soup, three for pea soup, and one for bouilll.
And the waiter, dashing to the speaking tube
that communicated with the cook, bawed out
with immense rapid ty, "One OK, two mockS,