Morris tribune., 1881-08-04
A QUEER STORY.

"A SC1ttskh prosecuting ottOAhOS LII Vic Ill.
terror of New York state, in relating stories
of his youth, told the writer the following:
The business of very busy week was over
and was sitting one Saturday night, en-
Toying a few moments relaxation, when an
old merchant insisted on seeing ME. Mr..
Nesmith was very rich, and commanded re-
spect outwardly from the community, but
I, who knew his inner life, was aware that
he pursued course of dissipation and pro-
figacy illv suited to his years and standing.
He was in state of great excitement and
indignation, and was determined to get a
warrant for the arrest of his confidential
clerk, William Stonington, on charge of
embezzling $1,000.
The young man had been in his employ
ment for years, and bore an unspotted
character. I knew him well, and would
not credit the accusation. Therefore I re-
fused warrant until Monday, when !
could examine into the matter.
Mr. Nesmith, late in life, had married a
very pretty girl, and was thought to dote
upon her, while she delighted in being IAN
old mans darling" She was one of those
guileless creatures who seem all innocence
and CONTINGENCIES.
On Monday morning while was awaiting
Nesmith, his wife was announced, and re-
quested q conversation.
Like her husband she was extremely ag-
itated, but from different cause. After
much stammerino, blushing, and circumlo-
cution, I drew from her that she wanted o
warrent to arrest her husband for adultery.
was thunderstruck. argued that there
must be some mistake-that his devotion
to her was we'll known. She laughed iron
ically, and confessed that her apparent
happiness was all mockery to deceive the
world; that in reality they lived cat and
dog life; but for their children they would
long ago have separated, but that now for
bearance ceased to be virtue. She had,
she averred, the most convincing proofs of
his infidelity.
When I demanded what they were, she
replied that her physician would inform
me. tried to appease her, but in vain. All
could do was TO put her off till the follow
ing Monday.
She had scarcely left the Office when her
husband called about the clerks embezzle-
ment, as supposed. He, too, wished to
consult me in the most confidential manner
not about the Stonington matter. but
about his wifel He had discovered that
she was untrue to him! I was even more
thunderstruck than ut the wife's charge,
and when inquired, as in her case, what
proofs he could adduco, he replied to the
same effect as she had. However, I man
aged to put him off until the ensuing Tues
day on that matter, and the next day on
that of the clerk.
The next morning back came Mrs. Ne
smith. I told her it was before the ap-
pointed time, but she said she had another
matter to consult me about, and very i'm
portant. It was just after New Years and
her bill had been sent in by the principal
dry goods merchant of our city. On exam
lining the articles she found silk dress and
a shawl charged to her she had never got,
but she had seen them worn by Miss Par
meter, young woman who had been in
her house for couple of years as COVER
ness and seamstress. Evidently the wo-
man had obtained the goods under false
pretenses, and she wanted her arrest.
This was getting pretty thick. dismiss
ed her for few days, promising her faith
fully that the affair should be attended to,
and justice meted out to the guilty party.
I sent for my shrewdest detective, and put
this complicated case in his hands.
He succeeded in asertaining the where
abouts of the missing clerk, and determined
without doubt that the silk dress and
shawl were, as charged by the wife, in pos
session of the governess. When I got the
whole story Isent for all the parties con-
cerned, inviting them separately, and with
out the knowledge Of the other to come Ia
my Office at certain hour on certain day.
They came in one by one, looking aghasi
and turning white as they discovered each
others presence.
When they were assembled I addressed
them individually, without explaining any.
thing or making any preliminary remarks
I first addressed myself to the old man
saying:
against this clerk for embezzlement?"
Yes, Sir, Unanswered severely.
Young Stonington nearly jumped from
his chair with astonishment and indigna.
ton.
MRS. Nesmith you wanted warran,
against your husband for infidelity2"
Yes, sir, she said, stoutly, aand I'll
Nesmith could only stammer out:
WHAT"
"And you, sir, wanted warrant agains,
your wife for in6delity?"
WHAT she gasped, looking as if she
was going to faint.
eyes. sir, and I will have it," says Mes
ninth. Then continued speaking to the
wife, pointing to the seamstress, who, the
picture OF innocence. had, up to this, KEEP,
looking from one to the other as If to ash
how all this turpitude concerned her
Sand you furthermore, Mrs. Nesmith
wanted to arrest Miss Parnenter for OBJ.
tanning goods under false pretenses.
AS Mrs. Nesmith bowed assent, the seam.
atraca Cfori frovv, cook -.