The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-03-26
A LIVING STATUE.

--sss.--
| A LIVING STATUE.
In the height of the exhibition season
of 1862 there was great deal OF un.
pleasantness, mystery and suspicion
generated in the Industrial Palace by q
constant 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 stall-keepers 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 theits were CON-
mitted by some person or persons con-
nected with the Exhibition was also be-
yond 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 lett,
apparently forgotten, but in reality fix
| ed by the minutest wires to bells which
sounded at the slightest touch, they were
left untouched. The thief, il only one,
always stole, too, from the places in the
shade, so that he could command view
OF the more open spaces, while he him.
self was unseen.
One morning a little while after a
fruitless watch, Mr.. Baselton was in a
very bad temper, Tor he had sustained a
fresh loss. He was leaning against a
pillar, o short distance from his counter,
thoughtfully biting the end OF his PEN
I Gil case, when man spoke to him. He
looked around at the sound and saw O
police constable, whom he very much
disliked for his apathy and unbusiness-
| like ways, standing close by him, he
growled out some hardly civil words,
and turned from the man, but the latter
was not to be daunted.
~ am afraid you have had loss, SIR"
said the man. land hope it Is not very
serious; but at any RATE, should like
word or two with you."
"What torp retOrted Baselt0n. 81
have lost gold watch, and, as have
don't see how you could have known
anything of it, unless some Of your lively
'force' have
"You are too severe, Baselton," said
the other, finding he had stopped; "you
are indeed, sir" snow, sir, 1 have my
opinion about, these robberies, and II
think l have found out the order the
thief works in, and can pretty well guess
i'm what quarter he will next try. l be-
lieve l can catch him."
"YouV exclaimed BaSelton, with an
emphasis which was anything but COM
plimentary to tire officer.
"Yes, sIr," replied the man firmly, 81
can. You have good deal of influence
with the authorities and ii you will
ask, shall be taken off regular duty, and
40 nj \
then catch him."
"Well, tell us your plan," said Basel
ton in return, will tell you this: You
know there are. ESQ offered on the quiet
for the apprehension OF the thief. Find
hlm and will make it 6 no."
During the next day or two, Baselton
became louuacious on the subject, and
in conversation with Mr.. Glisser, who
took very kindly interest in the mat
ter, owned that he had changed his opin-
ioa about the matter OF the robberies.
He was convinced, he said, that II the
thief came by night, he would have been
caught long before, but that everybody
was on the wrong scent, and that they
were really committed in the hustle OF
closing for the evening, and then, not
being found out till the morning, 1T was
naturally supposed that the thief came
in the night. Mr.. GlisseH was much
struck by this view,- which he CON-
mended highly, and urged increased Wig
lance about the time spoken of.
In the gray OF the evening, the statu-
ary look ed mystic and unearthly enough,
as the stony figures looked down from
their pedestals; but none looked more
sepulcnral than did q tall sheeted figure
which occupied a pedestal slightly
! screened-come from which direction the
visitor nightly two OF three large
groups. This figure might have been
taken in the distance, and in the dim
light, for a Jewish priest, or Druid or
anything OF the kind; but had any one
come near enough to inspect, it would
have been seen that the long robe was
of linen, not stone, and that the face was
| less that OF an ancient hero than mod
ern one. And what was rather strange,
this particular pedestal was empty ali
| day, and only occupied at night.
Standing at this particular spot, any
one could see in every direction for a
considerable distance, and there was
scarcely any ,hiding.place near; the
| Druid on his pedestal mad no doubt reck.
oned on these facts having great weight
with the marauder. Several nights had
gone by and no discovery made; and yet
| Ned Lowclite crept silently to his Sc
| leCtcu StublOus oho aoouhAhA lAo Mo-
guise as the shrouded statue, patiently
watched all through the darkness; 30
patiently that no one not close enough to
touch him could have imagined that he
| differed from the efigies around.
1t was yet comparatively early in his
|Watch on q certain night, and young
moon threw just sufficient light here and
there to. make everything more uncer.
tain than usual, when Lowcliffe, finding
himself little cramped from standing
SO long in one position, prepared tc
make one of the guarded shifts he was
forced to indulge in during the evening
but just as he commenced carefully tt
draw one leg behind the other, be
stopped, rolled his eyes eagerly around,
and then remained so motionless ht
scarcely breathed. With step almos
noiseless-but not quite SO for such u lis
tners cara man glided round the angle
of counter close by, and standing close
by Lowclife, paused, stopped, looked
round the floor in every direction, ther
sat upon an adjacent pedestal, and lean