The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1875-11-18
A LIVING STATUE.

In the height of the exhibition season Of
1862 there was great deal of unpleasant
ness, mystery and suspicion generated in
the Industrial Palace by constant success
sion of petty robberies, which took place
nearly every night at the best stalls. Ar
ticles of value were stolen from drawers and
boxes; money left by stall-keepers often
went, unless very securely slowed away !;
but the depredators 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 10y some person or persons connect
ed with the Exhibition was also beyond 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 watchmen no robberies
took place at all; and when articles had
been purposely left. apparently forgotten,
but in reality fixed by the minutest wires
to bells which sounded at the slightest
touch, they were left untouched. The
thief, if only one, always stole, too, from the
places in the shade, 50 that he could COM
mand view of the more open spaces, while
he himself was unseen.
One morning, as the sergeant of police
was going his early round before the build
ins was opened for the day, he came npon
an exhibitor and his staff of assistants, who
were grouped around a box which was open
before them, and at which they were look
ing with apparent interest.
Good morning, Mr.. BAselton," said the
officer; "a very fine day we are likely tc
have
Fine day, sir! And very fine night we
have had too, suppose" retorted the ex-
hibitor, in a tone far less pleasant than that
in which he had been addressed. Here's
a pretty affair Seven pounds worth OF
Scotch pebbles set in silvcr--brooches, ear
rin~s, and so forth--the whole OF them
clean gone"
The sergeant, with expressions Of regret
said he would see the officer who had been
on duty. Mr.. Baselton professed to have
lost all confidence in the police. and assert
ed that if he were to watch, the thiei
would certainly be discovered the very first
night.
81 wish you would try, then" said the
at oh +ai, %1
watch with you; and if you can suggest
anything fresh, l will gladly support you. -
Although, when he made this assertion
Mr. Baselton probably meant nothing at
all, yet, after little talk with the officer
the desire of finding the thief, and his be-
lief in his own superior acuteness, were
strong enough to make him volunteer tc
watch and it was agreed that the sergeant
should join him just as the palace was clos.
ing ct night, when they would be on the
lookout directly, for it was impossible tc
say at what time OF the night the robberiee
were committed.
Strict silence was enjoinedon either side
and observed by the sergeant entirely, and
by Mr.. Baselton pretty well, as he men.
toned his plan to Mr.. Chatenoux at the
French stall just by, and to his neighbors
Mr.. Hynks and Mr.. Carrables. Mr.. Cara.
bles, by the way, was not there that morn.
ing, SO Mr.. Baselton told Mr.. Glisser, Mr.
Carrables foreman, instead, who, in q
becomingly sympathizing tone, wished him
success.
The evening came, the spies met, and
hung about the passages of the vast build
ing until deepest twilight, and until Basel
ton was pretty nearly tired Of being on his
feet. ht@
"Now," said the sergeant, unconsciously
dropping his voice as he spoke, 1--WE will
take up our quarters. If we can only get
there unperceived, have arranged what
think you will find pretty good corner"
"AI right" returned the exhibitor, in
the same guarded tone, and they stole
noiselessly on, passing once or twice, con-
stable; but the presence Of the sergeant Of
course prevented any questioning. Some
large boxes, lett apparently by accident al
the angle Of stall, were in reality SO plac.
ed that they formed an almost perfect
screen, and, without any reason to suppose
that they had been notiosd, they slipped in,
and sat down.
| Presently the moon rose; and as it climb
ed higher, and its light grew stronger, the
! building became visible throughout with a