Wichita eagle., 1888-07-18


in America regret my inability to remain
and learn the result OF your investigation.
If you succeed in recovering the stolen prop
express the ring 1t once to me 1t Rochester,
N Y"
Mr.. Campbell promised to do %. Mr.
Smith thanked him and was gone
The detective named was summoned by
telegraph, and within twelve hours arrived
in Brookville. To him the president stated
all the facts In the case, Of which the officer
made memoranda Then, as II in verifcatiop
of these statements:
"The door of the bank was locked when
you reached itF' he said, interrogatively.
ut was" returned Mr.. Campbell
"The safe was also lockedf'
Eyes"
"The windows were fastened same as
usualF
"They were"
"Who knows the combination that you use
On your safer
mo one but myself"
"Have you ever committed It TO paperF
81 have And that paper is now In sealed
package, holden by my attorney, and to be
opened only In case Of illness that renders me
unconscious. or my death"
"De you know that the package has never
been tempered wfrhT
II suppose that 1t has not WIN learn
shortiy." And be wrote q note which he sent
to bis attorney.
mo suspicious person has been In the VII
iage recentiyr
"Nos that am aware OF.
The officer began his examination Of the
premises frequently referring 10 bis memo
randa Meanwhile sealed package was hand
ed TO Mr.. Campbell. who. opening 1t, said:
'fThe paper Is unmoiesred"
"Are you sure you have never accidentally
disclosed the combination to any one-that
nc one has ever been near you when you have
opened the safer
1.-THE only person who has ever been near
me when have opened the safe, with the
exception of the officials, is the gentleman
who substituted for our pastor this summer
''And how did he happen to be near you
thenp
He came to leave valuable ring for safe
keeping
be uusuccessfully tried to open it after your
YES" In astoniShment.
Describe his personal appearance" Mr..
Campbell did so.
THAT Is all for the present." remarked the
officer
Four days elapsed, during which the detec-
tive seemed to give the case no consideration,
devoting his time 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 gen
tleman who substituted for your pastor this
summer Tailed so nicely with burglar 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 upon Mr.. PenneIl,
and learned the name of the clergyman by
whose recommendation Mr. Smith came here
To this minister Immediately wrote. The
reply is"-reading letter;
c.. T.. Oct. 9 IS
DEAR SIR-In answer to yours just at hand
would say know one by the name of Thomas
Smith; never had a student. never wrote to
Brother Peunell The evening before | left home
last July, young man, In all respects like the
one you describe, called on me and asked me in
Vulnerable questions concerning Brother Peureu
many and strange that | wondered at
them. | intended to write Brother about this
man, but neglected. it long that / deemed it
IL would have prevented the imposition which has
been practiced upon esteemed co-worker and
bis people Yours respectfully,
WILLIAM BLAKE
Mr. Campbell was too much astonished to
speak
Probably this man Snith-or whatever
his name may be--learring that your bank
did an immense business. resolved to bur
giarise 1t long ago." continued the officer
Just how he CHANGED to adopt the clerical
robe | cannot say, but, having determined
upon it, be could easily find the name OF
some one who was your pastors classmate
at the theological seminary, by consulting
the catalogues of the institution for
various years Fortune favored him in
selecting Mr. Blake He had never CORES
ponded with Mr.. Penneil, but was thoroughly
versed In his ways This circumstance en-
abled Smith TO write to your pastor, with no
fear Of detection by reason Of the penmaI1-
ship The time of writing was also oppor-
tune. as Mr.. Blake was on the point Of leav-
ing home, and Pennell could not write to
him concerning the would be substitute.
The ring-it may or may not have been
worth something-was the rlIse by which he
gained knowledge Of your combination.
number that you used, and his unsuccessful
attempt to open it after you was a mere
blind OF course. to obtain an entrance to
the building WAS an easy matter to him !
shall this very day go in pursuit of him, and
my edvice Is, say nothing of what have told
you to any one except the directors, more
than that have obtained clew to the per
petrator of tho deed, until you hear from
me-"
Early in December Mr.. Campbell received
a telegram from the detective in New York,
which contained the single word, "Come"
He went to that city, where be found
Thomas Smith. alias various other names, in
custody, who made q full confession, quite
substantiating the officers supposition, and
restored all be had taken from the bank save
a few hundred dollars or So
When Mr. Campbell returned to Brookviile
with the stolen property every one was as
tonished They were more astonished on
learning the true character of the ''lay
preacher"
His first text should have been, 4 was q
stranger and took ye in" facetiously OBJ
served one of the church members whom Mr.
Smith had especially pleased
Since that time no one Of bis flock has ex-
pressed any desire that another than the Rev.
Mr.. Psnneu sdrninisoer to his spiritual
wuntaI-Harttord Times
Rationale OF Children's Dress
A sensible note Of warning is sounded by
The Lancet On the subject of childrens dress.
Summer has come, and during warm weather
children are allowed TO play and come home