Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-08-08

we threw the door over, so as to ex-
pose an entrance through the wall big
enough to admit man.
Without thought Of meeting any
occupants, we entered Immediately.
The little light admitted through the
opening enabled us to discern n lamp
on small shelf, and this, when light
ed, disclosed room about ten by
thirty feet in area and a little higher
| than our heads. On one side were
several hunks filled with straw, against
the other was long bench, with
brackets for lamps above.
Upon the bench and ground were
boxes and bags, some of which we
examined, finding masks. dark
lanterns. and deverything else belonging
to burglars outfits, stolen. goods, in
great quantity and variety, including
n number of boxes of Mr. Masons
cigars-a private brand readily recoG-
nized-and numerous specimens of
counterfeit coins and the dies with
which they were made.
We said little until our amazement
had in a measure abated, when
broke out with, "What do you think,
Gayg"
II think it will show good judg
ment if we move out Of this vicinity
before anybody drops In" he said;
and with his opionin l readily agreed.
Very carefully we replaced every
thing as found, went ut once to police
headquarters, related our experiences,
and readily secured the cooperation
of the authorities in plan to capture
the gang that very evening. The
chief proposed that if the usual light
was observed, we should present our
selves before him mt II p. m, and
guide posse to the den.
This arranged, we went ;heme.
stopping at Mason's store by the
way to inform our friends of what
was in the wind Mr.. Mason had
gone to supper. and George was so busy
with customers there was no opportu-
nifty to tell him Of our discoveries, so
ON our return to fulfil our appoint
ment we called again. This time we
found Mr.. Mason, who showed IN
excited interest in our story; but
George was absent. 1t was his night
off. Mr.. Mason did not expect his re-.
turn before the next mornings OPEN
ing hour.
A sergeant and four men crossed
thu river under the guidance OF
Gaius at the hour agreed upon, and
went down its opposite bank to a
designated point, while another
policeman accompanied me in n row.
loat OH the route taken by Gaius and
myself in the afternoon.
At the ruin, dimly distinguished in
the darkness, we eagerly awaited the
signal announcing the arrival Of our
party. 1t soon appeared-merely q
matchllght. to which we replied by
another. Then we took position
opposite the windew, few feet from
the bank, and the men above stealth
lily lifted the old door. One after an
A0ther.s the sergeant first they slipped
rapidly down into the cellar.
1t was very nearly a complete sur
prise, for three of the scamps were
taken in their hunks. The fourth,
dextcruusly Guiding the officers,
leaped nimJly upon bench, thence
to the window. and like shot went
through it feet foremost, down the
bank into the water. There he stuck
in the mud!
My companion, the policeman.
clapped the handouts on him in the
darkness, collared him and pulled
him ashore With the remark, Now
We'll see what we've got" he opened
his lantern and turned it's light on
his mud-bedragged prisoner.
1 might have been knocked down
with a feather! 1t was George Dow!
He did not say word; neither did
l, and truly, l think l could not, have
spoken had l tried.
The sudden realization Of his du-
plicity. and black rascality simply
stunned me, and Gaus was even
more astoundcti, more deeply shocked
than myself, by the unexpected ex-
posure of his friends villainy.
He said to me later, Your suspi.
cions Of George were correct, after
all."
NO." / replied, that would. be
claiming too much. did not suspect
him, simply did not know what to
think of him. Now know, but cam
not tell now any better than before,
the reason of my antipathy."
OF the trial and conviction of the
captured gang, it is unnecessary to
speak.
The papers and people praised Gaius
and me highly, and foolishly, we
thought, for we knew that our dis
covery of the gangs haunt was due
to "fool luck" as Gaius tersely stated
tit was the surprising outcome Of
a childish curiosity, and not gained
by any particular shrewdness OH our
part" But of this we said little, OK
cept to Mr.. Mason, whose extrava-
CANT praise we vainly tried to modify.
On the evening of our departure for
home at the end Of the school year,
we called Mt his store to say good
by. AS usual Mt that hour he was
very busy, and consequently said
little, but shaking hands with each
and wishing us pleasant journey, he
handed me a sealed envelope, bear
ing the inscription, "Messrs. Croft
and Eaton--to be read after reaching
your destination"
We refrained from opening it until
we reached home, and then it's con-
tents surprised us greatly. This is
what we read:
P, n. T.. Nov. 5, 1885.
Messrs. Croft and Eaton.
My Young Friends: at the time my
store was robbed said would
give twice the value of the property
taken to see the rascals who took 1t
e.1, Inn r.