The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-09-17

safe, with the exception of the Off
cials, is the gentleman who substi-
tuted for our pastor this summer. I"
Glow did he happen to be near
your"
HE came here to leave a valua-
be ring that was his, for safe keep
ing"
you opened the safe in his pres
ence, and he Gnsuccessfully tried to
open it after you ?"
YES" in absolute astonishment.
Describe his personal appear
ance."
Mr.. Campbell did so.
THAT is all for the present" said
the officer.
-Four days elapsed, during which
the detective seemed to give the case
no consideration, devoting his time
to conversation with this, that and
the other one, on any subject except
the burglary. Then he went to Mr..
Campbell.
"Your description" he said. "of
the gentleman who substituted for
your pastor this summer, tailed so
well with the description of bur-
glar who has operated in the west,
that | at once made up my mind
that the two were Identical
Mr.. Campbell gave start.
Leaving you, l called on Mr..
Pennell, and learned the name of
the clergyman by whose recommen-
dation Mr.. Smith came here. To
this minister | Immediately wrote.
The reply ish-readlng a letter:
"C--,N. Y, Oct. s, 1S-.
DEAR SIR-In answer to yours,
just at hand, would say, know no
one by the name of Thomas Smith;
never had student never wrote to
Brother Pennell. The evening before
| left home, last July, a young man,
in all respects like the one you de-
scribe, called on me and asked in
Vulnerable questions concerning
Brother Penneli-so many and so
strange that 1 wondered at them. /
intended to write Brother p. about
the man. but neglected it so long
that deemed it best not to write at
all. Wish now that l had, as it
would have prevented the imposi-
ton which has been practiced upon
an esteemed co-worker and his pee-
pie.
Yours respectfully,
WM. BLAKE"
Mr.. Campbell was too much as
tonished to speak.
Probably this man Smith, or
what ever his name may be, learning
that your bank did an immense
business, resolved to burglarize it
long ago." continued the officer.
"Just how he chanced to adopt the
clerical role | cannot say but hav-
ing determined upon it, he could
easily find the name of some one
who was your pastors classmate at
the Theological Seminary by con-
sulting the catalogues of the institu-
ton for various years. Fortune ia
vored him in selecting Mr.. Blake.
He had never corresponded with
Mr.. Pennell, but was thoroughly
versed in his ways. This circum-
stance enabled Smith to write to
your pastor, with no fear of detection
by reason of the penmanship. The
time of writing was also opportune,
as Mr.. Blake was on the point of
leaving home, and Mr.. Pennell could
not write to him concerning the
would-be substitute.
"The ring, it may or may not have
been worth something, was the ruse
by which he gained a knowledge of
your combination. When you open
ed the safe be learned the number
that you used, and his unsuccessful
attempt to open it after you, was
mere blind Ofcourse to obtain an
entrance to the building was an easy
matter for him. | shall this very
day go in pursuit of him, and my
advice is, say nothing Of what | have
told you to any one except the di-
rectors, more than that | have OBJ
tanned clue TO the perpetrator of
the deed, until you hear from me"
Early in December he received a
telegram from the Detective at New
York, which contained the single
word "Come."
He went to the city where he
found Thomas Smith alias various
other names, in custody, who made
a full confession, quite substantiating
the officers suppositions-and re-
stored all that he had taken from the
bank, save hundred dollars or so.
When Mr.. Campbell returned to
with the stolen property,
every one was astonished they were
more astonished on learning the true
character of the ''lay preacher"
"His first text should have been,
i was u stranger and took you IN,
observed one of the
church members whom Mr.. Smith
had especially pleased,
Since that time no one of his flock
has expressed any desire that anoth-
er than the Rey. Mr.. Pennell admin
ister to his spiritual wants.