Wichita eagle., 1888-09-16

ously," she said in d tone of mingled
mournfulness and malignity; they have
tried to damage my reputation In this
neighborhood, and want TO set Henry
against me because am kind and afec-
tionate toward you. Herman"
WHO are the Villains cried the boy
fundamentally. Give me their names
and the gang viii soon settle their hash"
..Ohl' responded Mrs. Claypole, with
languishing sigh, which had the effect OF
stirring Herman TO deep anger, Il don't
want any rash deed Of vengeance This
is q matter which can be disposed of
without bloodshed. ! would like their
punishment to be l:ngering-to be in the
nature of mental agony. the loss of friends
TO make them objects of scorn, 10 make
them suffer as they intended | should
suffer"
They shall Go al this and more, /
swear" exclaimed the lad, excited by the
culver in the womans voice and the tear
she had forced to giisten In her eye.
who are theyl
''Oue is woman" said Mrs Claypole,
'who watches my movements and circu-
ulates evil reports about my character-a
malicious. spitef1 wretch, whose lie has
been one long chapter OF deceit and wick
edness. and whose sole excuse for living
how is that she may sow the seeds OF dis
scnsion and hatred broadcast IL the hearts
OF loving husbands and trusting wives.
You know her, Herman she lives III this
house"
The lad jumped TO his feet and paced
the floor excitedIy-
Its that Goggles" he cried. Know
her? Why, Of course know her, the pry-
ing, meddlesone hussy. And she has
dared 10 talk of you-to backbite and
Islander you'll Say. Ally" he spoke IL
tragic whisper, every syllable reaching
the acute ears of the eayesdropper-''we IL
kidnap her and bury her alive. If she
makes any cutlery this will settle her"
And the lad pulled Eurderous looking
dirk from his hip pocket, and brandished
it iercely like stage villain.
1t was at this juncthre that the tran
som closed, and Miss Goggles hurried to
bed, shivering and quaking with fear.
If she had listened little longer she
would have heard the cruel blonde acqui-
esce in this boyish scheme Of revenge and
become acquainted with scarcely less
fendiSh plan 10 get even with Mr.. Hadley
for Lis impairment interference in Nh.
Claypoles personal affairs.
But Miss Goggles had heard too much
Her nervous system was severely shocked
Sac passed dreadful night, and III he
morning was found dangerously Ii with
brain fever.
Shortly after the incident above re-
corded Chicago was startled by series
Of bold and successful burglaries IN the
business section Of the city.
The perpetrators of these crimes were
slilifuI workers. They picked out first
class establishments and carted of large
stocks OF such merchandise as was readily
salable As a rule the safes were left I'M
touched, the burglars being satisfied with
the portable goods III the store
Among the victims were Williamson L
Graves, the hardware merchants, on Lake
street, who were relieved Of valuable
assortment of firearms, knives and tools.
mum Der OF expensive books and stationery,
and Memberships lace store, On Wash
ington, near State street.
The lace store was completely sacked Il
its finest goods. All the imported hand
the common grades in state Of confu-
sion on the counters. and must have spent
considerable time in selecting their booty.
MIR. Mendelsohn estimated his loss at
about $4,000.
The store had been entered by the win
dows which opened into an alley in the
rear Of the building. The goods were
taken out by the front door. which was
found open IL the morning.
OF course those daring robberies caused
cormotion at police headquarters. No
noted cracksmen were II the city, and yet
the detectives were convinced that the
burglaries were the work &C old hands
Several expert criminal hunters were put
to work on the case but they worked dill
gently for weeks without striking tho
faiItest clew.
Tie newspapers and public became in
patient over TIE delay II capturing tho
daring burglars. and the central detail
came in for liberal dose of censure.
To make matters more complicated. 1t
was openly charged that there had been
no burglary AT the Mendelsohn store, but
that the proprietor. who was known TO be
embarrassed. had robbed him
self to gain the sympathy Of the public
and make easy terms with his creditors.
Mr. Mendelsohn was greatly annoyed
by this accusation lie acknowledged
that his financial affairs were in des-
perate condition, but he pointed to bis
past record as incompatible with tho in
famous yet OF which he was charged
His friends admitted everything in re
gard to previous probity, bat shrugged
their shoulders significantly when they
were asked to accept it as an assurance
of present integrity.
"Jhe facts are against you" they re
marked. Burglars 90 not generally pos
sess the technical knowledge to enable
them to pick out the finest laces IN the
excitement of midnight raid II your
store was despoiled by robbers, where are
the robbers
And Mr. Nendelsohns inability to pro
duce those living proofs of his innocence
was regarded as additional evidence OF his
guilt!
Then came an attempt TO find Mendel-
sohn's acco1nplices, for 1T was evident
that he could not have carried out this
gigantic scheme of deception alone and
unaided-
A hint was received at police headquar-
tiers that clerk named Hadley was iupli-
Gated The note conveying the hint was
written In q delicate female hand. II
read:
To the Chief o. Police:
DEAR sTz-wEtch James Hadjey. clerk In Men
delsobns store, about those stolsa lzces. Per
haps some OF his Lady friends are sporting pgs
t.on OF The goods a any rate, yoa can fasc tie
hizt for wha. i IS worth
OEx WBo SCSrEcTs.
The detectives did take the hint. For
a week or two Hadley was constantly
Swallowed. ard his lady acquaintance
were subjected 20 a rigorous espionage,
which. had they been aware of It. would
have thrown them into mysteries.