The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1897-12-16

been near me when opened the safe,
with the exception of the officials,
is the gentleman who substituted for
our pastor this summer.
Glow did he happen to be near
you?"
''He came here to leave valuable
ring that was his for safe-keeping.
"You opened the safe in his pres
ence, and he unsuccessfully tried to
open it after you?'
yes" in absolute astonishment.
Describe hispersonal appearance.
Mr.. Campbell did so.
THAT is all for the present." re-
marked the officer.
Four days elapsed, during which
the detective seemed to give the"case"
no consideration, devotlng his time to
conversation with this, that and the
other one on any subject except the
burglary. Then he went to Mr.. Camp
bell.
"Your description, he said, "of the
gentleman who substituted for your
pastor this summer tailed so nicely
with the description of burglar who
has Operated in the West that l at
once made up my mind that the two
were identical"
Mr.. Campbell gave start.
'Leaving You 1 called on Mr.. Pen
nell and learned the name of the cler-
gyman by whose recommendation Mr..
Smith came here. To this minister 1
Immediately wrote. The reply is"
reading letter:
c., New YORK, Oct. 2, 1S-.
DEAR SIR-In answer to yours, just ut
hand, would say: l know no one by the
name OF Thomas Smith. never had student,
never wrote to Brother Pennell. The even
ing before left home. last July. young
man, in all respects like the one you describe.
called on me and asked innumerable ques-
tions concerning Brother Pennell-so many
and so strange that wondered at them.
intended to write Brother P.about this man,
but neglected 1t so long that | deemed 1t
best not to write at all. Wish now that l
had, as it would have prevented the imposi-
tion which has been practised upon an es-
teemed co-worker ard his people.
Yours esoectfully.
WILLIAM BLAKE.
Mr.. Campbell was too much aston
ished to speak.
Probably this man Smith-or
whatever his name may be-learning
that your bank did an immense busi-
ness, resolved to burglarize it long
ago." continued the officer. Just
how he chanced to adopt the clerical
role 1 cannot say; but, having deter
mined upon it, he could easily find
the name of some one who was your
pastors classmate at the Theological
seminary by consulting the catalogue
of the institution for various years.
Fortune favored him in selecting MIR.
Blake. He had never corresponded
with Mr.. Pennell, but was thoroughly
versed in his ways. This circumstance
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 con-
cerning the would-be substitute.
!"The ring-it may or may not have
been worth something the ruse
by which he gained knowledge of
your combination. When you opened
the safe he learned the number that
you used, and his unsuccessful at
tempt to open it after you was mere
blind OF course, to obtain an en-
trance to the building was an easy
matter for him. I shall this very day
go in pursuit of him, and my advice
is, say nothing of what I have told you
to anyone except the directors, more
than that have obtained a clew 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 that city, where he
found Thomas Smith, alias various
other names, in custody, who made
full confession, quite substantiating
the officers suppositions, and restored
all that he had taken from the bank,
save hundred dollars or so.
When Mr.. Campbell returned to
Brookville with the stolen property
everyone was astonished; they were
more astonished on learning the true
character of the clay preacher"
"His first text should have been, I
was stranger and took We in, F." ia
cetiously observed one of the church
members whom Mr.. Smith had espe-
cially pleased.
Since that time no one of his flock
has expressed any desire that another
than the Rev. Mr.. Pennell administer
to his spiritual wants.