The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1874-12-10
,riminal in grandpa's oOnneoLiOn visa

criminal in grandpa's connection with
ct is possible" said Mr.. De Long.
that Mr.. Garland may have intended
to explain. BE died very suddenly, of
an apoplexy."
+" Maybe he did explain, and con-
cealed his statement, just as he did the
watch, I" said.
''No, answered Mrs. De Long, s'after
1 found the watch searched closely for
other secret drawers. There are none. %
Let me examine the secretary" I
sugge sted /; and carefully and syste-
matically inspected the antiquated piece
Of furniture.
Almost Immediately called attention
to the fact that the secret drawer, in
which the watch had been concealed,
had false bottom, and this being easily
removed, we found within a draft for
ESQ on London clearinghouse drawn
in favor of Rufus Garland and-the his
tory'of the stolen watch in Rev. DR.. Gar
lands handwriting:
NASHVILLE, Dec. IS, 1S46.-This
has been a very sad day 70 me. This
forenoon came to me my old friend and
comrade, Benjamin Flurnoy, of Column
bia, In great distress of mind, and asked
me to lock the doors and hear him make
disgraceful confession. Then he laid
before my astonished eyes the long
missing watch of Lafayette, the loss of
which caused such excitement. I stole
it. he said /: stole it, Rufus : and
hid his face from me, and wept scalding
tears. Presently, when had comforted
him, and he grew more calm, he said /:
The doctor tells me have not long to
live; my heart is diseased. I desire
you to make restitution for me. Here
IS all the money needed-take the ac-
cursed wedge of AchRn from my sight
it has tortured my whole life-restOre
it to the heirs-without exposing me. I
have had misery enough And again
he bowed his white head-that head so
honored-and wept. How did this
happen, Benjamin 2 I asked. Said
he That night, you remember, we
were all upon guard. You and the rest
were asleep, but Spatch Davis, La
Crosse and were on guard for a spell
of two hours. We had ali been drink
ing heavily-poor Spatch and Hyacinthe
fell asleep on their post, and the devil
was In me. l wanted something that
belonged to the marquis. I stole into
his room, past old Pouehon, who was
snoring. 81 tired and worn out the old
marquis looked Iopened the trunk,
seeking a ribbon, handkerchief, or the
like. The first thing saw was the
watch, and without thinking, put it in
my pocket, raised the window gently,
and crept like thief as I was from the
room. As 1 crossed the threshold ]
heard the old marquis call out in his
sleep: 'Arretez vOus, monsieur No
blesse Oblige = Stung to the quick ]
turned back to restore the watch, but
just then Pouchon reused, and I escap-
ed. I have never known a happy min
ute since My poor. friend 1 could
look in his haggard foce. and believe
him. 1 told him, however, that could
| not consent to deal with this matter in
clandestine way. There need be nc
publicity about it, brit IL communicat
ing with the marquis heirs must give
his name and the circumstances. He
| grOaned and begged me to defer the
disclosure until after his death. 81
will not be long, he said, pathet
ically. To this 1 assented, and so he
| left, after had earnestly enjoined him
to seek comfort and peace Of mind by
| prOstrating himself at the foot of thai
throne where mercy, peace, comfort are
never refused to the contrite and hum.
bic petitioner. have drawn this state
menu up only as a guide for my heirs il
case of my death happening before thai
of Flurnoy's."
doctor Garland died just one weeE
before Major Flurnoy," said Mr.. De
Long, "and that explains all the confu.
sion about this matter"
Mrs. belong said nothing, but wepi
sympathetically
''This dead draft must be transmitted
to Major Flurnoy's heirs" added De
Long.