The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1891-03-06

was boy Of Bob's age, and we came
to be chums. 1t thus came about that
learned the cause OF certain welts and
bruises on his legs and body. His uncle,
while pretending to feel great interest
in his welfare, and while speaking to
him In the kindest manner before others,
was beating him on the slightest excuse,
and seeking to make the place so warm
for him that he would run away. Some
boys would have gone, but Bob hadn't
the courage to get up and face the world
without shilling in his pocket.
On the afternoon of the 2Sd day OF
June, 1868, as was sworn to in court, I
was in the alley back of the store, and
heard Stowe whipping Bob in the store
room. heard him charge Bob with
stealing some money, but the boy vigor-
ously denied it. After the whipping
Stowe told three different customers that
pc bad caught -tha- -hast slian- -hrhppru
him. saw Bob about an hour a....ui the
eF.::--, anu ne made his denial in such a
manner that felt sure of his innocence.
then advised him to run away, but as
had no money to give him, and as he
had not penny of his own, he did not
think it best to 60. He'wanted me to
come and share his bed with him that
might, as had often doneibefore, but a
circumstance prevented. Stowe saw US
together, and ordered me away from the
store.
At seven o'clock that evening a man
named Chadwick arrived in the village
from Chicago to visit sister. He had
$4,000 il money with him, and he asked
Stowe to keep 1t in his safe over night.
At eight o'clock the store was closed and
Stowe went home. At nine o'clock
left home to 90 to the store, calculating
to call Bob up by throwing pebbles
against his window, signal often made
before. As ] passed the alley saw a
man skulk away. I afterward swore In
court that I believed this man to be
Stowe. The sight of him frightened me,
and ] returned home at once. Next
morning "the mystery" opened with a
grand blast of trumpets. Bob Lisle had
disappeared during the night, and the
safe had been robbed of Chadwick
$4,000. Investigation heightened the
mystery.
There was blood on Bob's pillow. A
trail of blood led from his bedside to
the back door of the store. The safe
had been opened in the regular way ,and
Stowe claimed that $400 Of his money
had gone with Chadwicks. The town
was at once alive, and the village con-
stable proved his enthusiasm and worth
by arresting two strangers. One soor
identified himself as an honest man
while the other admitted that he was ,
deserter from the army and tramp.
] On searching him $120 in greenbacks
! was found in one of bis pockets. HI
| declared that he found this money il
the alley in the rear of Stoves stor'
that morning about daylight, he having
passed the night in store shed furthe
down the alley. If he expected any on
to believe such a thin story as that h
was sadly taken back. 1t was believe
by all that the right man had beeI
arrested, and the constable at once be
came the hero of the hour. A Chicag
detective, who happened in the tow
that same day, looked the ground owe
| and declared the arrest to be slick job
There had not only been a robbery
but murder had been done, and ther
was no doubt that both deeds had bee
accomplished by the same hand. Every
body turned out to look for Bob Lisle'