Smyrna times., 1874-03-25
So Near and Yet so Far.

The Washington Republican says: "There
is destiny that shapes our ends rough hew
them as We may" 1t is presumed that few
men ever more tOrcibly felt the true express
sion of these words than does Alfred Toombs,
colored, who has suddenly fallen from the
acme of bliss to the felon's cell, and that too,
at moment when his most. cherished dream
was about being realized and he had gathered
10 bis protecting care and overshadowing love
Miss BOIes, for whom he had long entertained
spirit OF undying affection,
This sudden interruption to the programme
occurred in this manner: Previous to the night
OF the marriage the prospective bridegroom
had packed his trunk with all his good clothes
and as the happy couple we're to depart for the
train Immediately on the conclusion of the
ceremony, 1t was deemed advisable to have
everything In readiness for that purpose Ac-
cordlngly, at the appointed time, hack came
Tor the groom, the trunk was strapped behind
and away he went to the corner Of Third and
L. streets northwest, with hopes running high
and heart anxious to greet and receive Miss
Boleo, the bride. Reaching the patcrnal roof,
he found her decked out in all her loveiness,
awaiting impatiently his coming.
A large number of the friends of the happy
couple were In attendance to witness the nup-
tlals; the clergyman was there, and all went
we'll The hackman had become interested in
the ceremony, and, leaving his team quietly
standing at the curb, entered the house and
became witness of the scene This was a
bad move tor the groom, and had the effect OF
knocking the wedding tour in the head, and
| consequent developments caused his incarcera.
ton in prison cell j; for while the knot was
being tied within the residence a thief came
along the street, and taking in the situation at
a glance, jumped on the coachman' box, and,
plying the whip vigorously to the horses,
drove off the team with the trunk.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, and
when the congratulations were over, the newly
married pair, preceded by the hackman, who
was unaware of the departure Of his carriage,
came out on the street to embark for the depot
! and to the aston shm mt of there was n
vehicle there. Friends of the couple acted Al
scouts, and started in differ ntdireotons, search
ing for the hack, but it could nowhere be found
and the bridal party were com PEELED to return
to the house and postpone the trip.
A brother of the groom then visited head
quarters and stated the case to Detective
COomes. He had Lieut.. Kelys officers mott
fed Dy telegraph, and late in the night the
and some OF the clothes missing. 1t was car
rled to the Seventh precinct station house, but
the thieves were not discovered
The capture OF the trunk and its inspectiOr
made bad revelation for the newly married
man, and will probably be the means OF caus
ing him to serve out a term in the peniten
tlary; for there was found il it number o.
linen napkins, set Of fne table knives, two
nut crackers and other articles Of this kind
all bearing tho mark Arlington Hotel, 4" from
which fact it is supposed the articles were
stolen from this hotel, and that Toonbs, will
an eye to domestic affairs, intended to com
kon H..
as cheap scale as possible.
The trunk was brought to police head quar-
ters, and the proprietor Of the Arlington noti
fed of the discovery. On visiting there he
informed the detective that Toombs had forml,
been employed by him, and asked that he b,
held for hearing on the charge of having
stolen the articles bearing the hotel mark.