Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-03-27
MY WIFE'S MAID.

THE series of burglaries which startled
the public in the autumn and early win
ter of the year 1856 was of description
to alarm any household. In each case a
gang of from seven to eleven masked men
had broken into an isolated dwelling con-
tanning an unusual amount of silver or
Jewels; had intimidated the inmates by
threatening them with firearms; mas
tered them, secured them, gagged them,
then quietly proceeded methodically to
strip the house of all the valuables it con-
tanned Their intelligence of the prem
ises was never at fault. Secret drawers
and sliding panels, supposed to be
known only to the family, were sought
and opened at once, and safes, whether
built into the walls or exposed in closets,
were equally at their mercy: and easily
forced by means of drills and gunpowder.
My own position filled me with anxiety.
My house is six miles from town, set in
the center of wide grounds, remote from
any habitation but the gardeners cottage
at the gate. Both my wife and myself
had inherited large amount of bulky
family plate, and besides this useless
metal, which never came out of the safe,
| had several costly services presented on
the occasion of our marriage, three large
salvers, etc, testimonials from socie-
ties of which l had been an active mem
Der, to say nothing of a complete
and varied assortment of small articles in
silver and gold. Then my wife's posses
sions were those of a princess, for she
had been the daughter of a millionaire,
and all her life spoiled child of fortune.
Besides plate and jewels, her house con-
tanned valuable collection of statuary,
paintings and bronzes, and l was only
too conscious of having expended for
tune upon the surroundings of our daily
life, and was inspired with grave doubts
as to its safety. Brooding over such
thoughts, and reading the newspapers
filled with speculations concerning these
mysterious burglaries, | soon became the
victim of an exaggerated dlsquietude.
Had my own wishes been carried out
every ounce of silver and every jewel we
owned would have been sent into town to
my bankers, but my wife objected,
laughed at my apprehensions, and begged
me not to worry.
But | continued to worry, and per.
picked myself with conflicting plans for
safety, and one day while in town went
to the headquarters of the police and in.
quired for Belts, the detective engaged
onithis case
He admitted me into his private room
l asked for the latest news. Had any
body been arrestedH No. Was anybody
to be arrested9 He shrugged his shoul
ders. Was anybody suspectedY
He chuckled softly to himself.
"My dear sir" said he, 1--WE suspect
everybody"
"Then," cried l, "arrest everybody OF
suspicion Good God l cannot sleeT
in my bed, for something assures me my
turn will come next. can't decide wha
to do, Belts. My wife won't let the silver
and the diamonds go out of the house
and this very night may be awakened tC
find masked men standing over me witt
loaded pistols, who would rob my house
under my very eyesW
Belts shook his head; unused a little
with his legs crossed and his left fore
finger pressed into his cheek. "By-the
bye" said he, presently, show many ser
wants have you, Mr.. PowersS Please tel
me about them individually"
l went over their names, and the de
tective checked them off in his memo
randum-book as / gave the facts con
nected with them. Saunders, the butler
had been with us seventeen years; tb'
cook, five years; coachman and groom
seven; and the chambermaid, three-al
fixtures in the household but Marie, my
wifes maid, who had come within tn,
last four weeks.
"Ahw exclaimed Belts, "where die
you get Marie? Was she well recon
mended ~
"Oh, yes, she is French, and has jus
come to this country with family by tn
name of De Sturges. She was nurse to
child who died on the passage, and wa
thus thrown out of employment; she ad
vertised, and my wife saw her, liked her
and engaged her" Fr
"You continue to like her~
"Capitallyi she's perfect genius, witt
effective magic in her fingers"
"Did you see her former employers {?
eyes; both De Sturges and his WIFE
"Describe her, if you please" SAT-
Belts, with a keen interest which SUI
prised me.
with all my heart. Marie is small
black-eyed, black haired, compactly bull
with remarkably neat hands and fee
She has saucy, laughing face, and he
hair Is short, crisp and curly"
How about her voiceS
"Very clear and ringing. She does nc
speak English fluently, but understand
| every WOIu llhb lb bdlu W HcI.
"Now about her little ways" D.
"A thorough Frenchwomen, with
knack of pleasing everybody. / don
know when I've seen such an artles
good, happy little girl"
Belts laughed uneasily, then bent h
head on his hand, his elbow resting O
his knee.
"Mr. Powers" said he at last, lookin
up with peculiar fash in his eyes, al
going 70 take you into my confidence, bl