The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-14

R. a man prominent III NM business affairs and very pop VH ular among his associates, came lvE into the office one day and made
 complaint that his residence
 had been burglarized and quantity of valuable silverware stoien' among which was a massive solid silver set presented to him few years before' on his marriage to a beautiful young wo- man of neighboring city
 In making his complaint the young man was (seemingly) very angry and soundiy berated the police for their inemclency and carelessness in permitting such out rages to be. committed upon the citizens. especially at such a time. the burglary was alleged to have been committed in the daytime)
 So powerful was the abuse of the Po- lice Department and so strong the male- dictions heaped upon their heads that actually felt ashamed that I was a mem- Der of such ,trif1ing set.
 l. however, set about to do what could in the matter I had the premises care fully examined. the doors, windows, the yard around the windows for tracks, the keys to the front and back door were looked at to see if they had been tamp< cred with. I could not find any evidence of breaking nor the slightest clue to en- courage me in my efforts to find the rob- bers.
 I considered the case hopeless one and studiously avoided meeting the young man, for fear of his tongue, not having any encouraging news for him from his lost wedding present. The distress of his wife was even greater, if possible, than the abuse of her husband, when deploring the loss of her beautiful silver set. I was completely nonplussed. confused and mortified and e second occurrence of the same kind, happening at this time to parties equally gifted with the power of yituperation as the young man, and who could shed tears as copiously as his beautiful wife, would have made my life unbearable and al- most tempted me to seek refuge in the grave.
 The loss of this wedding present was my thought by day. and my dream by night. I never ceased looking for clue, only to be disappointed.
 Some days after the burglary was al- legged to have been committed met an old negro woman who lived in a lot just in the rear of MT. ---'s residence, and from which a good view could be had of the premises. In a fit of desperation I asked the old woman if she was at home on such a day. naming the day of the burglary.
 'Yes, sir, all day long, never put my foot outside of the yard"
 Did you see any one over in MT. -'s house or yard on that day?"
 No, sir, nobody but MT. - himself" answered the old womsn, looking eau tiously around to see if any one was listening.
 You heard of the robbery. Aunt Jans." asked.
 ''Dar want no robbers" said Aunt Jane
 What do you mean, Aunt JaneT I asked.
 "r mean dar wsnt no robbers. nothing was stoled."
 T do not understand exactly what you mean, Aunt Jane."
 "I mean this, MT. - took dem things hsseif, I seed him put dem under de house yonder," pointing toward the res idencs, eff he ain't moved dem they are there yet. Don't you tell him told you.'' at first determined to go and tell the wife Of the young man. ana rang the door bell for that purpose After ring ing several times and receiving no an swes. I went into the rear of the residence and sent under the house.
 The search revealed every article re- ported stolen. had them removed to Che office of the Chief of Police, un- wrapped and placed upon a table, making as large a display as possible.
 I sent for Mr. and told him that I had fortunately recovered his lost sil- yer. He expressed great surprise and seemingly joy.
 Did you get the thief" he asked.
 'I did. would you like to see him." l replied.
 '1ndssd would he said.