The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-04-01
ALIVING STATUE.

ALIVING STATUE.
In the height of the exhibition sea
son of 1862 there was a great deal of
unpleasantness, mystery, and suspicion
/ generated in the Industrial Palace by
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
| 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 committed by some person or per-
| sons connected 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 mad been done in the way of
| planting watchmen, no robberies took
| place at ali and when articles had been
purposely left, apparently forgotten,
| but in reality fixed by the minUtest
wires to bells which sounded at the
| slightsSt touch, they were left untouch-
ed. 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 himself was un-
seen.
One morning, as the sergeant of po-
/ lice was going his early round before
| the building was opened for the day, he
came upon an exhibitor and his staff of
assistants, who were grouped around a
| box which was open before them, and
at which they were looking with appa-
| rent interest.
''Good morning, Mr.. Rsselton, said
the officer every fine day we are like
ly to have"
Fine day, sir And a very fac
night we have had, too, I suppose, re-
torted the exhibitor, In a tone far less
pleasant than that in which he had been
addressed. g Here's a pretty affair
Seven pounds worth of Scotch pebbles
set in silver brooches, earrings, and so
forth-the whole of them clean gone. "
The sergeant, with expressions of re-
gret, 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 we're to
watch, the theft would certainly be dis
covered the very first night.
''I wish you would try, then, said
the sergeant, 4" would obtain permits
sion to watch with you, and if you can
suggest anything fresh, will gladly
support you"
Although, when he made this last as
sertiou, Mr.. Baselton probably meant
nothing at all, yet, after a 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 IL
was agreed that the sergeant should Join
him Just as the palace was closing at
night, when they would be on the look
out directly, for it was impossible to
say at what time of the night the rob
berries were committed.
Strict silence was enioined on either
side, and observed by the sergeant en-.
tirely, and by Mr.. Baselton pretty we'll,
as he only mentioned his plan to MIR.
Chattenoux at the French stall Just by,
and to his neighbors, Mr.. Hynks and
} Mr.. Carrables. Mr.. Carrables, by the
/ way, was not there that morning sc
I Baselton told Mr.. Glisser, MIR. Cara
? bles' foreman, instead, who in a becom
] ingly sympathizing tone. wished hin
? success.
! The evening came, the spies met, anC
{ hung about the passages of the vas
= building until deepest twilight, ant
until Baselton was pretty nearly tired
of being on his feet.
3 " snow" said the sergeant, uncOn
= sciously dropping his voice as he spoke
: "we Will take up our quarters. Ii ",
/ can only get there unperceived, hav'
arranged what 1 think you will find
a pretty good corner.
8 F." An right" returned the exhibitor
8 in the same guarded tone and the,
4 stole noiselessly on, passing, once o
I twice, a constable but the presence o
t the sergeant, of course, prevented an
2 questioning. Some large boxes, left
J. apparently by accident, at the angl
: of a stall, were, in reality, 50 place
a that they formed an almost peFfeC
{. screen and, without any reason to SUI
n pose that they had been noticed, the
y slipped in and sat down.
y Presently the moon rose; and, as
a climbed higher, and its light gre
Ie stronger, the building became visibl
d throughout with light which was mo!
4 unearthly and ghOstly in its charactel
% This impressed itself very much upo
ID Baselton.
Of - had no idea, sergeant" he viii
re pered to the officer, $40 that the plaC
III was such a strange, cemeteryish sort
spot as it is. I must own, 1 should n,
le like to be on duty here all night. How
It ever, have brought some little refresl
a ments with me, so let us make ourselv,
- comfortable. In silence they ate an
ce drank: and in silence, save for Il
q Ginning of the clock, or the occasions
IT, tread of a policeman, the hours cTel
IS. on. The policemen passed within
On couple of yards of the watchers r
as peatedly, but whether they knew
e. their presence or not, Baselton eOul
~ ~ not Judge. The length and wearine'
or o5 the hours grew at last intolerable
ot him, and, seeing that the sergeant ws
he as cool and wide-awake as when the
he first entered their lair, he whispere,
20 s' 1 feel terribly drowsy, sergeant
1d always do about this time. Five mn
to utes' nap will make me as fresh as
r. daisy. Rouse me up if you hear an.
.te thing before that time"
His companion smile /, and, IN Il
o. same subdued tone, gave the promis
ne Nothing did happen requiring NJ
ed BaseltOn's preseuce either before
le after the expiration of five minutes, a
~ though the officer stealthiiy looked ol
te- a hundred times during the night.
OF last the darkness thinned away, AZ
3s then, after q short gray twilight, daV
,.es came, and the sergeant shook Baselt,
ne by the shoulder.
lor Yes, yes; ] am ready" stammer,
lac the exhibitor, then opened his eyes We
EeS, wide indeed. Why, it's daylight
~ Al must have slept -
be Yes, of course you have" int