The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-07-16
A Singular Adventure.

TNHERE once lived in st. Petersburg
Il an aged man, who, though poor, had
always been noted for strict honor and in
tegrity, and whose whole course of life was
regular as clock-work. Each morning he
left his modest dwelling precisely at the
same hour, passed through the old clothes
market to his bureau and after six hours
labor was accomplished, returned by the
self-same route. His garments were shah
by of long service, and the covering on
his cap was worn to shreds The urgent
solicitation of his daughters finally induced
him to replace the latter article and seeing
some of green color one day in window,
he went in and inquired the price. The
shopman however refused to sell them,
on the plea that they were already bespoken,
and offered to show him others of different
hue; but the old man had set his heart on
green.
"Well, then," said the man, elf you
must absolutely have it, take it, and, if
needed, can finish one by tomorrow in
it's place."
The bargain was accordingly concluded,
and the next day no small excitement was
created by the appearance Of the cap, which
elected from his colleagues smiling congrat-
ulation on his successful purchase.
Two days afterward, the heat being in
tense in the bureau, he felt in his pocket
| for his handkerchief, in order to wipe his
| face, and he drew forth, to his great as
tonishment, one of the fine India foulard
silk. He showed it to his colleagues, and
inquired if he had by mistake appropriated
another PERSONS property; but one and all
disclaimed all knowledge of it, and agreed
unanimously that it must be surprise
from one of his daughters.
Children" said he, upon his return to
his house, "who has done this ? Do you
wish to make me vain in my old age?"
His daughters also declared their igno-
rance of the matter, and, after random
guesses, finally made up their minds that
it must have been put into his pocket by
their cousin, who spent the last Sunday
with them, and the handkerchief was care
fully put aside by their father.
On the following day, as he was carefully
spreading his coat-tails in order to seat
himself at the desk, he felt something hard
in both pockets, and putting in his hand,
brought out from one gold watch, and
| from the other well-furnished purse.
| This time his reason was overwhelmed; but,
after long reflection, he formed sudden
resolution. He had been more punctual
than the other officials, determined to say
nothing of his discovery, and as soon as
the offce-hours were over, he went directly
to the chief of police, and solicited pri-
vate audience. He then produced the
watch and purse, and related the history of
the handkerchief. After the chief had
fully possessed himself of all the partic-
ulars, he said:
at is very singular ! Has nothing of the
kind ever happened to you before?"
"Never before last week."
"Have you made any change in your
dress within that time %
"No."
| "Recollect."
"Oh, yes; certainly l bought new
capp
"Tell me how and where you bought it"
The old man told him everything con-
nected with his purchase upon which the
chief laughed heartily, and exclaimed:
"Poor, honest man that you are, you
have become.a member of gang of thieves.
Do you not perceive Their twenty caps
of the same shape and color were to serve
them as a mark of recognition, and as every
pickpocket seeks to divest himself as soon
as possible of his stolen goods, they have
taken you for an accomplice and transfer
ed those things to your pockets. We are
greatly indebted to accident and to you.
Take this money, and buy another cap
from one of the magazines; then bring this
one back Immediately; for as hope to
have the whole gang in my power to-mor-
row, you must not run the risk Of being
arrested Also"
The old man went into the shop and
purchased another covering for his head;
but as he was about to tie up his cap in his
handkerchief, in order to take it back to
the police-officer, he found in the crown, to
his no small surprise, small piece of
lace. He hastened to deliver this fresh
booty into the hands of the chief, who a.
gain burst into peal of laughter when he
beheld the despairing countenance Of the
old man.
The necessary measures were immediate
ly taken. Two dozen detectives were
made acquainted with the form Of the cap,