Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-01-21
A LIVING STATUE.

n LIVlNU chAA OAs
In the height of the Exhibition season
~ 1861 there was a great deal of I'M
pleasantness, mystery, and suspicion gen.
Grated in the Industrial Palace by con-
slant succession of petty robberies,
which took place nearly every night at
the best stalls. Articles of value were
stolen from drawers and boxes; money
left by stallkeepers often went, unless
very securely slowed away; but the dep
redators did not venture on taking any
bulky articles, or on breaking open any
receptacle which would require great
force. They knew their risks, that was
evident; and that the thefts were COM
mitted by some person or persons con-
nected with the Exhibition was also be-
yond a doubt. Watches had been set,
traps had been laid over and over again,
but all in vain. When too much had
been done in the way of planting watch
men no robberies took place at all; and
when articles had been purposely left,
apparently forgotten, but in reality fixed
nv the minutest wires to bells which
.ounded at the slightest touch, they were
left untouched The thief, if only one,
always stole, too, from places in the
shade. so that he could command view
of the more open spaces, while he him
self was unseen.
One morning as the Sergeant of Police
was going his early round before the
building was opened for the day he came
upon an exhibitor and his staff of assist
ants, who were grouped around box
which was open before them, and at
which they were looking with apparent
interest.
"Good morning, Mr.. Baselton,' said
the officer" a very fine day we are likely
TO have"
Zine day, sir! And very fine night
We have had, too, l suppose" retorted
the exhibitor in tone far less pleasant
than that in which he had been ad-
dressed "Here'sa pretty affair! Seven
pounds worth of Scotch pebbles set in
silver-brooches, earrings, etc.-the
whole of them clean gone"
The Sergeant, with expressions of re-
greet, said he would see the officer who
had been on duty. Mr.. Baselton pro.
fessed to have lost all confidence in the
police, and asserted that if he were to
watch the thief would certainly be dis
covered the very first night.
81 wish you would try, then" said the
Sergeant; al would obtain permission to
watch with you, and if you can suggest
anything fresh / will gladly support
yen"
Although when he made this last as
sertion Mr.. Baselton probably meant
nothing at all, yet, after little talk
with the officer, the desire of finding the
thief and his belief in his own superior
acuteness were strong enough to make
him volunteer to watch; and 1t was
agreed that the Sergeant should join him
just az the palace was closing at night
when they would be on the lookout di'
rectly, for it was impossible to say at
what time of the night the robberies
we're committed
Strict silence was enjoined on either
side and observed by the Sergeant en-
tirely and by Mr.. Baselton pretty well
as he mentioned his plan to Mr.. Chat
enoux at the French stall just by, and tc
his neighbors. Mr.. Hynks and MIR. Car
rabies. Mr.. Carrables, by the way, wa:
not there that morning, so Baselton tolc
Mr.. Glisser, Mr.. Carrables' foreman, in
stead, who, in q becomingly sympathiz
ing tone, wished him success.
The evening came, the spies met ant
hung about the passages OF the vas
building until deepest twilight and unit
BsseltOn was pretty nearly tired OF being
on his feet.
Nov" said the Sergeant, unconscious
ly dropping his voice as he spoke, "wt
will take up our quarters. II we cal
only get there unperceived, have ar
ranged what think you will find prett!
good corner"
All right" returned the exhibitor, il
the same guarded tone; and they stole
noiselessly on, passing once or twice
constable; but the presence OF the Ser
gcant of course prevented any question
ing. Some large boxes, left apparent.
BY accident at the angle of stall, wer
in reality so placed that they formed al
almost perfect screen. and, without an.
reason to suppose that they had beel
noticed, they slipped in and sat down.
Presently the moon rose; and as
climbed higher and its light grey
stronger the building became visibl
throughout with light which was mos
uncarthly and ghostly in its character
This impressed itself very much upo
J; Baselton.
81 had no idea, Sergeant" he viii;
pered to the officer, "that the place wa
such strange, cemeteryish sort OF
spot as it is. must own, l should nc
like to be on duty here all mig int. How
ever, have brought some little refresl
ments with me, SO let US make ourselve
comfortable" In silence they ate an
drank, and in silence, save for the chin
Ing of the clock or the occasional trea
of policeman, the hours crept on. In
policemen passed within couple,
yards of the watchers repeatedly, OF
whether they knew of their presence