Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-01-25
Crime Extraordinary.

The San Francisco Bulletin says; Some
ten years ago two brothers LETT their home
in Illinois and came to California. The
elder was a man of the most steady habits,
who had received a thorough business
education in his native State, and who had
made up his mind to prosper In the new
country he had chosen. The other was
inclined to be dissipated, and had figured
in so many scrapes at home that he stood
in a very bad odor in his village. The
brothers lived together for some time in
San Francisco, while both looked for stu
ations. The younger brother, however
fell into bad company and bad habits, and
after a few months they separated by
mutual consent. The elder obtained
situation In u Wholesale store as porter,
and by his diligence aud steadiness soon
worked himself into confidence OF MS
employers. Of his brother he saw little
One day note reached him from hrs
wild relative, who was then confined in
the clty prison on charge of petit larceny.
He bailed him out and employed counsel
10 defend him. Though Enthusiastically
evident that tile prisoner had committed
the crime alleged, yet the actual proof
was so meageT that in his trial at the
Municipal Court he was acquitted. The
/ elder brother now renouneed the criminal
altogether, and until Christmas eve they
| had not met for nearly ten years. Advanc-
/ ing rapidly in the esteem OF his employers
| the industrious young man soon found
| himself 10 the receipt of good salary
sud gfadually rose to partnership in the
firm which he entered as store-porter.
He purchased a house on Bush street
married lady with considerable fortune
of her own, and OH last Ghristmas he saw
three beautiful children around him to ep'
ioy the wonders of the Christmas tree
That night, the family retired about mid
night. Towards two O'Clock In the morn
ing the gentleman heard a noise below
stairs, and moving quietly out of bed
stood at the head Of the stairs to assur'
himself that his suspicious Of burglar
being In the house were correct. Th'
z giean of a candle in the parlor assured
him, and returning TO his bedroom sp'
arming himself, he crept down stairs Il
capture the thief. He had proceeded 81
cautiously that the burglar was not awar
of any one stirring in the household, AM
when he reached the parlor door he saw
man epdeayoring to pry open the buhe
where he kept his silver, Levelng his re
yolyer at the thief, he shouted, "etop, o
you are q dead man" and he had the bpl
= glar completely at his mercy.
The 'jimmy" dropped from his nervou
r hands, and tho gentleman was adyaucin
10 secure him, when to his infinite horro
2 he perceived that 1t was his younge
I brother whom he hal thus detected In th
act of crime. Both stood motionless for
r moment, and then the unfortunate wretel
g dropping on his knees, cried out "a
a God is my Judge, Robert, did not kno'
T that YOU lived herel The other believe
8 him, and bidding him sit down, asked hi
I what could have led tp the commission
t such a crime. Twas the old story. Liqu'
!. and evil companions. That night the woul
d be burglar slept under the roof of his 70
e giving brother, who, when he told the sto
!. TO our reporter, declared with tears in
e ewes that he intended TO save him, If pc
e slble, and was going to give him emplo
70 ment in his own store. He said that
e. he could only reclaim his erring brother
IS would be the best and dearest Christm
IT present he could expect. The recklt
man appears to be truly penitent, aud u
extraordinary meeting may be tho mea
te Of saying him from the States prison
II even the gallows.