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^ u-uauijji??inw ' ' "" " ? - i i ? n?iiniM? an^? ? lewis imc. grist, Proprietor, j ^it $nbt|?fnbtnt JfamHir getosjmpcr: get tjjc |)romofron of fjtc ^olifkal, Social, ^gritnllnral anb Cotmrurrial Interests of % Sontj;. j TBRMS--$2.00 A YEAR, IN ADVANCE VOL. 3<?T YOEKYILLE, S. O., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1888. 1STO. 40. % Jtiial ?t??. (SO ^ THE STOLEN LACES An Episode in the History of Chicago Crime. FROM THE DIARY OF DETECTIVE DENIS SIMMONS, OF THE BANK DETAIL OF THE CENTRAL STATION. L Early in the spring of 1S72 the boarders at Mrs. Frelinghuysen's house, on West Adams street, felt themselves constrained to discuss and decide a very delicate question. For some time previous the conduct of Mrs. Alice Claypole had given them great concern. This lady was the wife of a middle aged lawyer of good standing, who seemed devotedly attached to her, and was bUnd to the fcnany weaknesses of her character, and oblivions of ' the fact that her bearing in male society was a subiect of nnfavorable comment in the well conducted establishment of the estimable Mrs. Frelinghuysen. Mrs. Claypole's flirtations were the talk of the neighborhood, and her bald headed, good natured husband came in for a goodly share of that pity and compassion which the world has ever in store for persons apparently unconscious of their own misfortunes. "Poor old Claypole" was an oft repeated remark; "some one ought to open his eyes and let him know the full iniquity of his wife's misconduct." But none undertook this delicate mission, and "poor old Claypole" continued to idolize his charming and fascinating spouse?charming and fascinating not only to him, but to some half -dozen other gentlemen who were said to languish in the sunshino of her smiles. Mrs. Claypole, to make matters more piquant ana Interesting to her fellow boarders, was not a beautiful woman, as the term goes. She was tall and shapely, however, dressed with becoming taste, and carried herself with a stately grace that never failed to elicit remarks or admiration. Her features were somewhat irregular and heavy in repose, but when she became interested in conversation, or, better still, when she was aiming at a conquest, her face lighted up with the ardor of her thoughts, and her big blue eyes flashed dangerously from beneath half drooping lids fringed with long, dark eye lashes that tried in vain to screen the passionate fire of amorous glances. No; Mrs. Claypole was not a beautiful woman, but she had that subtle power of charming which is more fascinating than beauty and plays the deuce with the virtuous instincts of mankind. Mr. and Mrs. Clavpole had lived at the Frelinghuyav-n establishment two months vrtien the boarders thought it high time .to arrive at some conclusion as to the alleged improprieties of her conduct. Not content with the conquest of full gfown and bearded men, the fair Alice, who was thirty if she was a year, had recently shown a liking for the society of young men in their teens. Three or four of these susceptible young fellows danced in constant attendance upon her. They ran her errands, escorted her to the theatre, t ook her to supper after the play, and acted spooney generally in the manner peculiar to lovesick lads. And, what was most exasperating to the critics of mature age, Mrs. Claypole seemed to enjoy this hoidenish homage. I She was soft and soothing, oven motherly, in her demeanor toward her young ad- I mirers. She would stroke their cneeks ' and pat their heads lovingly, call them ! brave boys, and sometimes?so Miss Goggles, tho ancient spinster, who occu- ' pied the first floor hall bedroom, and was ever on the alert to spy out tho moral delinquencies of her neighbors, averred? kiss them tenderly and tell them to bo good and true and devoted to their XT iuubuer. "She calls herself their mother, the artful wretch," reported Miss Goggles, with a look of horror in her watery eyes; "she ought to be horsewhipped!" No wonder Mrs. Frelinghuysen's boarders were stired to the very depths of their honest hearts. Such vagaries on the part of a married womad were reprehensible in the highest degree. They called for an expression of virtuous indignation. Mr. Claypole ought to be informed of his wife's moral obliquity. It was a burning, scandalous shame that such a nice, high minded, honorable old gentleman should have the wool pulled over his eyes by tliis wicked woman, and he a lawyer, too, with a professional knowledge of the relief which could be speedily gained in the divorce court. Then it was that the boarders came to the unanimous decision that Mrs. Claypole was a designing, heartless coquette; that her society should be tabooed, and that poor old Mr. Claypole should receive a broad hint of what was going on, with a view to a prompt disruption of his mari- ! tal ties. The conveval of this hint was deputed to James Eutdley, clerk in a downtown lace store, who had worshiped at the shrine of the fascinating blonde when she first appeared at the boarding house, and whoso attentions had been suppressed ""ith a scornful derision whicli still rankled in his virtuous breast, and made him accept the mission with revengeful alacrity. And when Mr. Hadley finished his recital of Mrs. Claypole's shortcomings and suspected peccadillos, whicli ho delivered with many piou3 sighs and groans about the inconstancy of woman, ho was almost petrified by "poor old Claypole's" emphatic rejoinder: "I'll break every bone in your carcass!'' "You confounded idiot!" cried the lawyer, shaking his fist in Hadley's face; "you loco peddling dolt! If I hear another word of this I'll break ever* bono in your assinine carcass!" II. If Hadley had been a man of good common senso he would have thought twice before meddling with the couiugal affairs of Mr. and Mrs. Claypole. Students of social philosophy have long recognized the dangers of such interference. Husbands and wives may fight liko cats and dogs, they may be guilty of the grossest kinds of infidelity, but woo betide the rash individual who essays to patch up their quarrels or smooth tlio wrinkles in their code of mutual morality. Iladley, however, was young and impetuous, not accustomed to philosophical j speculation, and he learned his first lesson i of worldly wisdom from the bitter tongue , of tho irascible lawyer. It was not long | oro ho regTetted tho foolish step he took at tho instigation of his fellow boarders. Mr. Claypole, it can be readily imagined, had tho fullest confidence in tho honor and integrity of his wife. "Ally," said he, after venting his wrath on the callow dry goods clerk; "Ally, the fools are beginning to talk. It may bo prudent to draw in a little. Givo the boys a hint to be less demonstrative and let us work slower for the common good." "Why, what is tluf troublo, Henry?" asked Mrs. Claypole, as she got her husband's 6lippcrs and drew his easy chair in front of the cheerful grate fire in their private sitting room. "That idiot Hadley has been telling mo of your flirtations. The boarders" are shocked at your free and easy ways, and they induced t^e fellow to enlighten mo on the subject. I had half a mind to break his head." "Oh! is that all?" said Mrs. Clay polo, with a peculiar smile. "So tliey think I am a wicked, reckless flirt? I admire their penetration. Bnt, under all circumstances, Henry, it's a splendid reputation. A flirt has no time for other business, and our affairs may flourish without suspicion while they think I'm engrossed in the pleasurable occupation of jugglingwith hearts. As for Mr. Hadley, you may leave his punishment to mo. I will settlo him in a way he will remember for tho rest of his life." "He deserves something, the meddlesome fool," responded Mr. Claypole, in a contemptuous tone. "But what is your plan?" "Wait and see." was the auiet reioin. der, while thoso big blue eyes flashed ominously; "it will be in the direct line of business." "Ah! I understand," said the elderly lawyer. "Do you expect anyone this oven. "Herman promised to bo here about 0 o'clock." "Well, I will take a nap and afterward go to the club, so that you may work him alone. He is smart as a whip, that lad, and I expect great things of him,'' and with this Mr, Claypole settled himself in the easy chair, closed his eyes and was soon snoring gently in front of tho fire. Mrs. Claypole, who was more annoyed by the incident of tho evening than she was willing to admit, took up the evening paper and rapidly scanned its columns. She seemed to be looking for some particular item of news. Presently a paragraph struck her eye which she read with great interest. "The scheme works well," she muttered. "No clew? Of course not. Trust a woman's wits for that. Six months more will give us all the money wo need, and then for the sunny south. Bah! How I detest this horrid climate as well as the hurry-scurrying habits of the people. Everything is rush and bustle and money making. Well, let tbem pile up their wealth, let them repair the ravages of the fire and build costly temples of trade and commerce. Those who neither weave nor spin will bo the gainers in tho end. Honest industry is ever opening up avenues of idleness and luxury for those who V?otto on/? nWliftr fn fnllnw flm only royal road to ease and affluence." Mr. Claypole finished his nap in about an hour, and at once went out to spend the evening at his club, leaving his wifo alone to entertain the expected visitor. She added a few touches to her toilet after the departure of her husband, and then sat down to the piano and sang one or two love songs in a low contralto voice. The music reached the ears of the boarders in the parlor, who by this time had worn the sensational Btorv of Hadley's reception by Mr. Claypole threadbare, and were deliberating as to the' next step to be taken in exposing the scandalous doings oftthe fascinating blond. "The old fool has gone out as usual," said one. "Sho's expecting somebody. She always sings those sentimental ditties when one of those kids is coming." "Well," remarked another, an elderly gentleman with a pair of twinkling brown eyes, "I think we iiad better allow things to take their natural course. The flirtations of married women bring their own punishment, and I guess old Claypolo will finally come to his senses without any assistance on our part." "But it's so abominably disgraceful," snapped Miss Goggles. "I wouldn't mind so much if she confined her attention to grown men, who ought to know better thamto encourage her base designs; but t^Vnk of her inveigling those boys. Why, it's an outrage against all the recognized maxims of good society." "Never mind that, Miss Goggles," said tho old gentleman, who seemed anxious to restore peace in the Frelinghuysen establishment. "Wo have done all we can for the present. Besides, wo have no evidence that there is anything radically improper. All pretty women lileo to flirt." iiAL I If? T_1 ? V Ik. vai mr. jonnson, ejacuiuieu me spinster, blushing feverishly. "TJow can you say such a thing?" "It'strue, Miss Goggles," said Mr. Johnson, stontly and with a touch of gallantry. "Coquetry is one of the prerogatives of the sex; the art is inseparable from female loveliness. Don't attempt to deny it, Miss Goggles; you, of all women, ought to be the first to recognize this universal truth." The old fellow, who was suspected of matrimonial designs on the antiquated Sinster, accompanied this speech with a mco which threw Miss Goggles into a Hutter of excitement. Several of the gentlemen tittered at her confusion, but she was too busy with the tender thoughts Mr. Johnson had suddenly inspired to notice their amusement. "Well, what shall we do, Mr. Johnson?" asked Miss Goggles, as soon as sho regained her composure. "Nothing," was the laconic response. "Nothing?" There was a tone of disappointment in this query which caused Mr. Johnson to elevate his eyebrows suspiciously. But he was firm in the resolution with which he sought to imbue his fellow boarders. "That's just it," he rejoined, emphatically. "We'll do nothing uioro, but wait and" "Watch," chimed in Mr. Hadley. "Yes, sir; wait and watcli. 1:ou have hit it exactly. I thought you would realize the wisdom of this course." lladley's face flushed, but he had gained wisdom sinco his interview with "poor old Ciaypolo," and deemed it prudent to say nothing. Something about the prom-ammo struck the boarders favorably. The first step of active interference had resulted disastrously. Thy old lawyer was evidently indifferent to the fato his wife so recklessly invited. "Waiting" and -"watching" were words full of mystery aud ominous import. The programme presaged keen excitement. Ten pairs of eyes scrutinizing every lodk and action of a frivolous woman, ten superheated brains wrestling with the motives that guided her conduct, and ten busy tongues ready to tear her reputation to tatters on the slightest provocation?why, tho prospect was delightful to this modern school for scanaai, ana witn one accora tne Doaruers lifted up their voices in approval. "Agreed," was the unanimous verdict. "We'll wait and watch." Meanwhile 9 o'clock had arrived, and with it Mrs. Claypole's expected visitor. Prom her cozy little sitting room upstairs came the rhythmic thumming of the piano and the soft contralto voice singing in delightful unison, "You'll Remember Me." "One of them's there," said Miss Goggles in a stage whisper. "She always sings that song when that curly headed boy comes. But it's gettiiu*- late?I wish you all good evening." And Miss Goggles g* % swiftly from the parlor and went u ;. "The. game's begir emarked Mr. Johnson, with a signiL shrug. "How so?" asked Ila* j. "Miss Goggles is first 011 watch. III. Mr. Johnson was right. Miss Goggles was first on watch. The watery eyed spinster foresaw many personal advantages in the scheme of espionage agreed upon by the boarders. In the first place, nature seemed to have endowed her with especial gifts of poking and prying into tho personal affairs of others. Her eyes, expressionless though they were, wero remarkably sharp both at short and long range. Her ears, which bulged out like miniaturo cornucopias, had very susceptible tympanums, which accurately received and registered tho slightest undulation of sound. Her nose, long, sharp and pointed, seemed framed to scent out scandal; while her high, narrow forehead betokened intellectual qualities in keeping with those other tokens of inqnisitiveness and cunning. Then she had a footfall as soft and velvety as that of a cat. She glided noiselessly about tho house, and was constantly turning up in tho midst of interesting domestic incidents. Tlio servants said slio had a disagreeable habit of looking through the keyholes. Ono night, when young Mr. Jobson came home slightly'under the weather, and Mrs. JobsOn began to moan and cry and threaten to return to the aching bosom of her mother, Miss Goggles was caught peering through the transom of their room. She excused herself on the ground that she thought the wretch was murdering his unfortunate wife, and she wanted to bo ablo to testify against him in the criminal court. Mrs. Jobson came near tearing her eyes out the next morning, and Mr. Jobson, mortified and humiliated almost beyond endurance, consulted a scientific friend as to the practicability of securing the germs of some malignant disease with which to quietly inoculate the innocent, saintlike Miss Goggles. This showed Mr. Jobson to bo a bitter, spiteful man, quite capable of the awful crime which the spinster suspected him of contemplating; but a man cannot feel friendly and dovelike toward a woman who has witnessed and gloated over his first connubial tiff. Then, Miss Goggles was pleased with tho new programme because it emanated from Mr. Johnson. ; "ft*** aM lnrwon T\nnn TvorfinH. 1UO UiU ^UiUAOUiOU uau wwu ]/?* ??vv? larly attentive to the spinster of late. He had taken her to the theater several times and grown tenderly sentimental over the subsequent oyster stews. More than once he had waxed confidential over the parlor stove, and spoken of his financial affairs in a way which excited her to envy, if it did not warm her to love. She felt herself blushing whenever those kindly, twinkling brown eyes looked into the literally liquid depths of her own passionless orbs. Affairs had reached such a pass now that Mr. Johnson had only to whisper an affectionate word, and sho was ready to flop into his arms and proclaim vows of undying devotion. But Mr. Johnson did not whisper that word, contenting himself with an occa: sional sigh and a glance of respectful adoration. He sometimes called her "Henrietta"?that was her given name?but the word seemed to come from liim unaawares, and he lapsed into moody silence every time it escaped his lips. Now was the opportunity of her life, sho argued, as she glided up stairs to her hall bed room.? If she were industrious in her espionage, if sho discovered reckless abandon on the part of the fascinating Mrs. Claypole, if she were the first to Srocure proofs of unlawful conduct, Mr. ohnson would be profuse in expressions of admiration, and probably bo impelled to make the longed for declaration. When Miss Goggles reached her room she closed the door noiselessly. Inside there was another door which communicated with the sitting room of Mr. and Mrs. Claypole. This door, of course, was locked 011 the other side. The key hole was stuffed with paper, the chinks were covered with list, and the glass of tho transom had a green baize covering to shut out the gaze of curious eyes and deaden the sounds within. It was evident that the Claypoles knew of and were desirous of circumventing the inquisitive proclivities of their next door neighbor. But tho genius of Miss Goggles rose superior to trival obstacles of this kind. Days ago sho had seized a chance to enter tho Claypole apartments and unfasten the button which held the transom closed. This maneuver had evidently not been noticed, since only that morning, while Mrs. Claypole was down town shopping, sho had tried tho transom and found it worked responsively and noiselessly to her touch. As to tho key hole, a pair of tweezers had picked tho paper almost entirely out, bit by bit, until only a thin layer remained, which could be easily removed when tho exigencies of the case reqircd such a step. Consequently Miss Goggles was well situated to play tho part of a spy and, if needs be, to surprise tho blonde in tho very height of her amours. And Miss Goggles chuckled softly to herself as she heard tho lid of the piano close and tho singing give place to sounds of earnest conversation. Turning down tho gas, tho inquisitivo spinster mounted on a chair, pushed the transom open a little, and was delighted to find that tho angle of vision thus obtained gave her a full view of Mrs. Claypole and her visitor, besides enabling her to hear every word that passed between them. What was transpiring in the Claypole Bitting room must havo been profoundly entertaining, since for a full hour, at tho risk of cramp in. her neck, Miss Goggles remained in this uncomfortable attitude, with wide staring eyes and eager open ears taking in tho scene below. I ^ ^ ^jj^| ^ ""--JlWiaf was transpiring. Suddenly the ancient spinster released her hold of tho transom, sprang from the chair with a suppressed scream, hastily undressed herself, got into bed, and pulled the clothes over her head liko a frightened child. IV. What was the causo of Miss Goggles' agitation? The spinster had nerved nerself to see and hear strange goings on in the Claypole sitting room. Something out of the ordinary run of scandalous proceedings must have occurred to make her divo deep under tho bed clothes as if she wanted to 6hut out the remembrance of a horrible sight. When the expected visitor was admitted, Mrs- Claypole was seated at tho piano warbling plaintive love songs. She rose and received him cordially, called him "dear Herman," and allowed him to press j his lips to her cheek. Tho boarders were right as to tho age of this youthful admirer. IIo was about 17 years old. Ho had a bright, sunny face, with laughing blue eyes, aud flaxen, curly hair, brushed from a square, intelligent forehead, adorned by heavy bushy eyebrows, which were arched liko a bow at full tension. Ho was dressed with great neatness, nis black cutaway cot.t was of the newest pattern, the vest cut low, showing a wide expanse of shirt bosom. He wore a gold watch chain of excellent make, and on the little finger of his right hand was a solitaire diamond ring. The boy looked liko a v.-ell to do broker's clerk. He carried himself easily and gracefully, as though accustomed to society. lie was evidently a welcome guest, for: Mrs. Claypole's eyes dwelt lovingly on his handsome face, and beamed withpleasuro as he asked her to resume her seat at the piano. "What shall I play, Herman?" she asked, smiling. "You know my favorite song. Ally," he replied. "Sing, 'You'll Remember Me.'" Mrs. Claypolo complied, and the boy hxing on the tones of her low, rich voice with rapt attention. Ilis eyes followed her every movement; his faco flushed with delight when she turned to him during the tender passages of the song and accented them by glances which sent a thrill through his frame. There could bo no doubt as to the feelings with which the lad regarded her; ho was desperately in love with this fair enchantress. : And Mrs'. Claypolo? It would bo difficult to probe her feelings. Practiced in all' the arts of coquetry, she could play with hearts at will and yet remain serene and cold beneath tho surface The conversation with her husband donoted that tho lad was kept under tho spell for a purposo. What was tho purpose wiiicir ctfuld induce a woman o"? mature age to enthrall a boy and keep his heart jumping in response to her seductive wiles? Just as Miss Goggles was gently opening the transom Mrs. Claypole again left tho piano and seated herself by the side of the boy, who, with a trace of old time gallantry, raised her jeweled fingers to his lips and kissed them. The action sent a thrill through tho bosom of tho antique eavesdropper, which was intensified when tho blonde run her finrers lovingly through his flaxen curls and fondly patted his rosy cheeks. "Now, that is enough nonsense for tonight," aho said, with a winning smile. "Tell mo what you have been doing lately, Herman." "You ought to know, Ally," he answered laughingly; "or doesn't tho governor make daily reports?" "I am afraid he does not tell ma overy thing," was the smiling reply, "and I always like to hear the exploits of the boys from the captain's own lips." The lad was evidently pleased. He said frankly: "To tell you the truth, Ally, I have been little suspicious of the governor of late. He doesn't seem to be toting fair. He said ho only got' if1,000 i for that last bundle, while I havo it on the best authority that the stuff brought $1,700. Tho gang are mad about it, and you better give liim a gentle hint that wo will stand anything but swindling on his port. Wo run all the risk, and he ought surely to be satisfied with a square divy." A shadow crossed the woman's face, but it was gone in a moment. "You are right, my boy," she said, in a caressing tone. "Henry should be more careful of your interests?indeed, of all our interests, since we are all in the same swim. But you know what ho is." "Yes," responded the boy, moodily, "I know what ho is, and he better be a little more careful. Had it not been for you, Ally, we would have broken with him long ago and given him a push toward the pen. If you say the word now I'll risk everything to settle him, and we'll go south together." "No, no! Herman," cried tho woman, in a tone of alarm; "that would never do, you foolish boy. I must still be your mother, and you must be kind and considerate to Henry." The boy pouted, but returned the kiss with which this declaration terminated. "I am getting tired of this 'mother' business," ho said, testily. "A fellow don't want two mothers." "But vou need me. mv dear, to keep you safe, Vou would have been in trouble a year ago had I not caught you in time. Now, be patient, Herman, and don't harbor harsh thoughts about the governor. I want my boys to work pleasantly t6gether, and we'll soon be able to enjoy the good time that's coming." "Ail right, Ally," said the lad in a more cheerful spirit. "I'll not only wait, but work, if you say so." "That's my brave boy," said tho woman, kissing him again warmly. "Now, tell mo what's in the wind." "Well, wo've done some fine night work lately," Herman responded, his eyes flashing enthusiastically at the recollection. "We've been cracking privato cribs, and the governor has several thousands in the vault, which will bo worked off soon on the outsido. The cops aro all at sea. They aro looking for oastern crooks, and have no idea that home talent is at the bottom of all the fine work in town. I pass members of the central detail every dOT, and they don't condescend to notice the peddler boy who is disposing of stolen goods under their very noses." The lad laughed heartily at this evidence of the perspicuity of tho police, and continued: "Wo aro going to branch out in another direction. Tho private house racket is played out, for the peoplo aro getting alarmed and laying in stocks of firearms nrnnlromon a xxrnT*m rAPATtfinn Wo will scoop in the business district J next. Thero are lots of fine pickings in i some of the wholesale houses, and we have two or three marked which are easy to crack. Oh I there'll bo no end of fun and boodle during the next three months, and then it will be time to tako that vacation you spoke of." "I am glad you are working toward the business center," said the woman. "But how are you on blowing?" "Curly has been practicing lately," answered the lpd, "and promises welL A fellow from St. Louis, an old timer, has | him in tow and says he'll be a daisy in a few months. But we don't depend on I blowing for good hauls. We'll take all | the loose, stuff we can find?such stuff j that can be easily peddled and has a quick salo in offices and private houses. The I governor's vault is a safe hiding place." "But isn't this peddling fake risky?" I asked Mrs. Clavuole. uneasily. "Bless you, no," replied tho lad, laughing. "It's the greatest scheme on earth. Tho cops will never suspect poor peddler boys of being mixed up with high toned cracksmen. Tho very openness of our street fake is an insurance against suspicion, and I understand the scheme is being adopted by the big bugs in New ! York." "Well, you must be cautious, Herman, j I don't want any of my chicks nabbed." "Youneednt bo afraid, Ally," said the boy. "We've got everything fixed in case of trouble. He'll be a fly cop, indeed, who tumbles to our racket." "Do you think, Herman," said the woman, with some hesitation, 'that you i could do a little job on my own account?" " Why, of courso I can," promptly roplied tho lad. Anything you want will bo attended to; the boys swear by their mother. Just give it a name and consider it done." Mrs. Claypole smiled at Herman's confident tone. She was proud of her influence over tho "gang," who were always ready to obey her slightest behests, and she was particularly pleased with the ardent homage of the handsome captain. She drew her chair nearer to him, and caressed him in a motherly fashion. "Two people have offended me grievously," she said in a tono of mingled j mournfulness and malignity; "they have tried to damage my reputation in this j neighborhood, and want to set Henry | against me because I am kind and affec- j tionafe toward you, Herman." "Who are the villains?" cried the boy i melodramatically. "Give mo their names | and tho gang will soon settle their hush." j "Oh!" responded Mrs. Claypole, with a | languishing sigh, which had the effect of | stirring Herman to deep anger, "I don't I want any rash deed of vengeance. This i is a matter which can be disposed of without bloodshed. I would like their i punishment to bo lingering?to be in the I nature of mental agony, tho loss of friends and the sacrifice of good name?in short, j to mako them objects of scorn, to make i them suffer as they intended I should differ." "They shall do all this and more, I swear," exclaimed tho lad, excited by the quiver in tho woman's voice and the tear she had forced to glisten in her eye. j "Who aro they?" "One is a woman," said Mrs. Claypole, i "who watches my movements and circu- J ulates evil reports about my character?a \ malicious, spiteful wretch, whoso life has J been ono long chapter of deceit and wick- j nrinoca nnrl whoso solo excuse for livinc ! now is that sho may sow tho seeds of dis- J scnsiou and hatred broadcast in tho hearts ; of loving husbands and trusting wives, j You know her, Herman; sho lives in this I house." . I Tho lad jumped to his feet and paced J tho floor excitedly. "It's that Goggles," ho cried. "Know her? Why, of course I know her, tho prying, meddlesomo hussy. And sho has dared to talk of you?to backbite and slander youl Say, Ally"?and ho spoko in a tragic whisper, every syllable reaching the acute ears of tho eavesdropper?"we'll kidnap her and bury lior alive. If she makes any outcry this will sottlo her." And tho lad pulled a murderous looking dirk from his hip pocket, and brandished it fiercely lilco a stago villain. It was at this juncture that the transom closed, and Miss Goggles hurried to bed, shivering and quaking with fear. If sho had listened a littlo longer she would havo heard the cruel blondo acquiesce in this boyish scheme of revenge and become acquainted-' with a scarcely less fiendish plan to get'even with Mr. Iladloy for his.imperiiueui interference in Mr. Claypolo's personal affairs. i But Miss Goggles had heard too rquch. i Her nervous system was severely shocked. ] She passed a dreadful night, and in tho morning was found dangerously ill with i brain fever. I V. < Shortly after tho incident abovo recorded Chicago wa3 startled by a series 1 of bold and successful burglaries in tho > business section of tho city. I Tho perpetrators of theso crimes wcro i skillful, workers. They picked out first ] class establishments and carted off largo ; stocks of such merchandise as was readily salable. As a rulo the safes wero left untouched, tho burglars being satisfied with the portable goods in the store. Among tho victims were Williamson & | Graves, tho hardware merchants, on Lake | street, who were reliovcd of a valuable , assortment of firearms, knives and tools; Cobb's circulating library, which lost a , number of expensive books and stationery, \ and Mendelssohn's lace store, on Washington, near State street. Th. lace store was completely sacked of | its finest goods. All the imported hand mode laces were taken. Tho burglars left , tho common grades in a state of confu- ] slo4&h the counters, and must have spent - -j considerable time in selecting tneir booty. Mr. Mendelsohn estimated his loss at about ?10,000. ( The storo had been entered by the win* , dows which opened into an alley in the , rear of tho building. The goods wero token out by tho front door, which was found open in tho morning. Of course those daring robberies caused , a commotion at police headquarters. No , noted cracksmen were in tho city, and yet , the detectives were convinced that tho , burglaries were tho work of old hands. , Several expert criminal hunters wero put to work ou tho case, but they worked aili* 1 gently for weeks without striking the , faintest clew. The newspapers and public became im- j patient over the delay in capturing tho daring burglars, and the central detail ] came in for a liberal dose of censure. , To make matters more complicated, it , was opeuly charged that there had boon uo burglary at the Mendelsohn store, but J that tho proprietor, who was known to bo ] financially embarrassed, had robbed himself to gain the sympathy of the public and make easy terms with his creditors. Mr. Mendelsohn was greatly annoyed j by this accusation. He acknowledged that his financial affairs were in a desperate condition, but ho pointed to his , past record as incompatible with the infamous act of which he was charged. , His friends admitted everything in regard to previous probity, but shrugged their shoulders significantly when they 1 were asked to accept it as an assurance 1 of present integrity. "The facts are against you," they re- ; marked. "Burglars do not generally possess tho technical knowledge to enable them to pick out tho finest laces iu the 1 excitement of a midnight raid. If your storo was despoiled by robbers, where are tho robbers?" And Mr. Mendelsohn's inability to produce thoso living proofs of his innocence was regarded as additional evidence of his milt! o Then camo an attempt to find Mendelsohn's accomplices, for it was evident that ho could not have carried out this gigantic scheme of deception alone and unaided. A hint was received at polico headquarters that a clerk named Hadlcy was implicated. The note conveying tho hint was written in a delicate female hand. It read: To tho Chief of Police: Dear Sib?Watch James Iladley, clerk lu Mendelsohn's store, about those stolen laces. Perhaps somo of his lady friends aro sporting a portion of the goods. At any rate, you can take tho biniior what It Is worth. One Who Suspects. The detectives did take tho hint. For a week or two Iladley was constantly shadowed, and his lady acquaintances wero subjected to a rigorous espionage, which, had they been aware of it, would" have thrown them into hysterics. Hadley's fiancee, tho beautiful daughter 1 of a wealthy lumberman, wore somo hand- i somo laces at churches one Sunday. Tho following day her father received a visit from a stranger, who poured poison into his ear concerning his prospective son-inlaw. Tho stranger was promptly kicked out of tho office, but when the lumberman's daughter admitted that evening that tho laces wero tho gift of Iladley some months previous tho old man waxed angry and told her to throw them in tho fire. "There's somothing wrong about tho fellow," ho cried; "clerks cannot afford to buy such expensive gewgaws. Perhaps ho helped Mendelsohn to rob himself." And Hadley was besido himself with grief when, the very next morning, a district messenger brought him a parcel containing tho laces and other presents ho had made to his sweetheart, together with a note blotted with tears, stating in simple but excruciating terms that her heart was broken, and that they must part for over more. It was several months .before Iladley could clear himself in the eyes of tho young lady and her father, and during thatf timo ho had wasted away to a more shadow and suffered the tormcnt6 of a lost soul in purgatory. Thero was one member of the city detectivo force who took no stock in tho story that Mr. Mendelsohn was his own burglar. This was Denis Simmons, one of the oldest and shrewdest of Chicago's ablo officers, who for the last seven years had been detailed on bank work. "Mr. Mendelsohn," said Denis to tho grief strickon merchant, "don't worry yourself to death. I am convinced that tho robbery was tho work of professional thieves, and I'm a Dutchman if I don't pinch them before I'm many wcoks older." The wor': of professional thieves. This was the strongest expression Denis could use, for every one knows he is not a Dutchman, and wouldn't bo ono for auv consideration. Mr. "Mendelsohn was consoled by this i expression of confidence. "I thank you, Mr. Simmons,'.' ho said with emotion. "I hopo heaven will prosper you in this work. If tho thieves are not captured soon I shall bo ruined in body and soul, for even my old father in uennany umucs i am mo iuici. "Cheer up," said Denis, encouragingly; "wo'll bag the game, and then you can 1 take n month's vacation to receivo tho apologies of your suspicious friends." VL If this wero a romance instead of a story based on facts, it would bo easy to associate Mr. Sinlmons' name with some i wonderful experiences during his search for tho laco robbers. Rooi detective work, however, rarely i possesses romantic features. Success iu this arduous calling is attained as much by patient plodding as by a keen appreciation of tho habits aud methods of criminals and a shrewd knowledge of tho world. Sometimes tho most important revelations are the result of sheer accident. As straws show tho drift of a current, so do trivial incidents often guido detective skill to tho accomplishment of great and important eud3. When Denis pledged himself to "bag tho game," ho had not tho slightest clew to work upon. Liko several of his confreres, ho believed tho robberies wero committed by New York experts, but ho was as much puzzled as they wero when it was proved beyond peradventuro that no metropolitan thieves of prominence, men tvho were skilled at this class of work, had been in town for months. Consequently, Denis had to "goitbllnd'l for n time, trusting to Providenco to furnish liim a clew. And Providence iidn't shirk this grave duty. Two or three days after his conversation with Mr. Mendelsehn tho letcctivo ivus detailed on a petty larceny easo in a fashionable boarding house 011 Michigan 1 venue. Tim job was an easy ne, and as ho was about to leavo tho liotiso a lady iskcd him if he were a judge of laces. "No. madam," said Simmous; "why do j'ou ask?"' "Because I have lust made a wonder ful bargain," replied tho lady "1 liavo bought several yards of the lineal French hand mado laco for $1 a yard It's worth it least ?10 a yard." "Indeed!" said Denis, his heart giving 1 great bound as he thought of that troublesome robbery at Mendelsohn's; "of whom did you buy it?" "Of a peddler?a nice looking, curly haired young man, wearing a velvet coat." The detective examined the lace, and, ilthough not on expert, he had sufficient knowledge of such goods to warrant him In thffe conclusion that the peddler was practically giving the laces away. He made an excuse to take the "bargain" down town and showed It to Mr. Mendelsohn, who immediately recognized it as i portion of his stolen stock. Denis had struck a clew. The description of the peddler tallied with that of Herman Landgraff, a boy whom he had arrested for sneak work several years ago, and whom he thought was leading a cortect life. Still, the detective aid not think that Landgraff was skillful enough to commit the laco robbery; tho boy was probably the tool of older thieves, who had set him to peddle some of the goods as the safest means of disposing of them. But this was a great discovery, and Simmons was elated over it. About the same timo another detective had his attention called to a cheap pockBtbook bought from a peddler by a broker's clerk. This pocketbook proved to be part of the stock stolen from Cobb's Circulating library. The peddler who sold it answered to the description of Charlie Mott, a partner of Landgraff's, and the brother of Mollio Mott, whose thieving propensities and profligacy were the talk of Chicago for years. "It never rains but it pours," remarked Denis to his colleague. "Wo are on the Bve of a great haul." Having got track of a portion of the stolen property, Simmons felt that the rest of the work was comparatively simple. lie soon located Landgraff and Mott. They lived In an old frame house on West Thirteenth street with Mrs. Landgaaff. The detective made cautious inquiries 03 to the habits of the boys, and ascertained that they wero regular niehthawks, as well as street peddlers by day. They rarely reached home before daylight, and invariably drove up in a buggy, from which they carried bundles into the house. Two other boys, known as "Curly" and Herman, often accompanied them, and stopped with Mrs. Laudgraff for days at a stretch. As these facts developed Simmons changed his mind about the connection of New York men with the burglaries. He had struck an organized gang of smart young thieves, who wero probably solely responsible for the crimes which had startled the business community and puzzled the police. It was late at night when Denis reported tbo result of his investigation to the chief. Ho was instructed to arrest the lads, but as by this time they were undoubtedly on ono of their marauding expeditious, Simmons concluded to swoop down on the old frar>> houso in the early morning and capture the whole gang. Thrco officers wero detailed to assist Simmons, and at 4 o'clock in the morning they drove out on West Thirteenth street. Denis talked enthusiastically about the importance of this expedition and the praise they would receive for breaking up such a daring and dangerous gang of burglars. "It will be one of the biggest things of tho year," ho said, "and a splendid feather in all our caps." Denis' enthusiasm was infectious. Long before they reached tho old frame house his colleagues were swelled with the magnitudo of their mission, aiid anticipating tho glowing accounts of their efficiency and prowess which would adorn tho columns of tho newspapers, Tho carriago was not taken direct to tho house for fear of alarming the inmates. Tho officers left it a block away and approached on foot. Two went to the rear of tho building to intercept any of tho boy burglars who might attempt to escapo that way. Simmons and tho other officers banged on tho front door, and loudly demanded admittanco. Not a sound came from the inside. The placo was in total darkness, and tho loud knocks echoed and re-echoed through tho hallway without bringing a response. "They're in their iirst sloop," said Denis, "and nothing short of Gabriel's trump will rouso them." "Let's kick in the door," suggested his colleague, who was anxious to complete tho job. "All right," said Denis; "here goes." A few vigorous kicks mado kindling wood of llio door, and the two officers entered tho house, pistol in hand, ready for any resistance on tho part of the boy burglars. The house had an empty ring, and Denis turned on his bull's eye, to start back in astonishment. Not a vestigo of furniture was to be seen 011 the lower iloor. The upstairs rooms were equally bare. The birds had ilown. "This is tho biggest thing of tho year," said Denis' companion, sarcastically. Simmons bit his lip and said nothing. The officers in the rear of the house were called in. They laughed immoderately when they grasped tho situation. And all tho way back to tho Central station Denis was the target for ruthless jokes, which ho received without a word, but continued biting his nether lip until the blood camo. Ho left his brother officers at tho station and started out again in grim silence. Beforo nightfall ho had tho burglarious peddlers located again. Mrs. LaudgraiT, her son and Curly liad moved, to a brick house on Archer avenue, near tho railway station; Herman and Mott were traced to a place on Brown street. At 10 o'clock tho lads wcro under lock and iccv at tho Central station, and a wagon load of plunder, comprising laces from Mendelsohn's, books from Cobb's library, and guns, revolvers and cutlery from tho hardware store of Williamson & Graves, was deposited in a room abovo their cells. Thero was no moro laughing at Denis Simmons, who had been on duty fortyeight hours aud fulfilled his promise of making ono of tho most important captures of tho year. VII. Tho lads seemed stupefied by their arrest. Young Landgraff, who was addressed as mptain" by the others, was particularh cast down. Ho sat on tho cot for several hours after I10 was placed In tho cell staring at tho wall with vacant eyes. ^ Next morning tho expression of unutterable misery was still on his faco. Ho turned to Simmons, who entered tho cell with a substantial breakfast for him, and said, in a hollow voice: "Mr. Simmons, will you do mo a favor?" "Yes," answered Denis, promptly, "if it is anything in reason." Who was n jravo us away?" Tho touch of anxiety in this query struck Simmons as peculiar. lie did not reply immediately, and Landgraff continued, still more anxiously: "Tell mo if it was a woman." Simmons' mind reverted to the lady who furnished the clew about tho lace. Thinking tho lad had some strong motive in seeking this information, ho answored that it was a woman. "I thought so," said the boy gloomily, and, then, brightening up suddenly: "Let Curly and tho others come in; we may have something to tell you." Curly, ^lott and Herman were brought into tho cell. Tho captain looked at them sadly and said: T7Boys, Bne gave us away." "No," exclaimed the lads; "she'd never do that." "It's true; Mr. Simmons says so." said Landgraff, tears gathering in his eyes, which he resolutely brushed away with his coat cuff. "Landgraff is right," said Denis, bewildered at the turn of affairs, but surmising that an interesting disclosure was imminent; "she furnished the clew." The lads groaned and looked ineffably distressed. "What do you propose, captain?" asked Curly. "Revenge," exclaimed Landgraff, fiercely. "Yes, that's right," said tho others in chorus. "Let's make a clean breast of it, and lot tho Waitress take equal chances with us." "This is getting decidedly interesting," said Denis to himself. "I wonder who she is, and what she has to do with these kids." "Mr. Simmons," Landgraff said, with an air of dignity which was rather amusing, "if you will kindly furnish me with pens, ink and paper I will draw up a statement about those robberies and furnish you with Information which will be of great service to you." Denis readily complied with this request, after removing the others to their respective cells. In an hour the statement was prepared, and an astonishing document it proved. It was a full confession of the long series of burglaries which had given the police so much trouble. But the most remarkable passages related to the connection of Lawyer Claypole and Mrs. Claypole with the gang. Landgraff told how himself and colleagues had been worked upon by this estimable couple. "She told us fairy tales," he wrote, "and got us all in love with her. She promised to elope with mo this summer, and I belicvo she was in earn est, for slae said she didn t have it very comfortable with the old man Claypolo engineered tho burglaries, and we acted under his instructions. He put up this street pedling fake, and we kept piles of stuff in tho vault iu his office, in Dearborn street. Ho didn't always do the square thing, but wo were bamboozled by his wife, who promised everything to make matters run smooth and easy like. Now that she's squealed, we think it nothing but fair that we should tell all about tho snap, so that she may get the same deal as we got. The Mendelsohn job was done for Mrs. Claypole. She wanted to get souare with a fellow named Hadley, who nad been saying rough things about her, and she started the yarn that ho helped the Dutchman to rob himself. She took me to tho store one day and gave me points about tho laces that wero best to take. She hod a trunk full of tho stuff. Wo weren't so very bad before these Claypoles got ahold of us, only doing a little fake now and then 1 while wo wero out peddling. This is all a truo story, and we give it away so that that fiend in female form may be pinched and go down where she belongs, for playing false with poor boys who loved and lost her." Simmons read this curious epistle with Simmons read this curious epistle. out any regard to the romance it contained. Claypole was known to him as a reputable lawyer, and he could scarcely believe the story of his connection with the gang. Ho lost no time, however, in going to tho office on Dearborn street. The lawyer had not been there that day. An inspection of the vault revealed a lot of plate, jewelry, silks, velvets, laces and other valuable property. This was startling evidence of tho lawyer's close relations with the youthful gang of burglars. Simmons hurried to the lboardingliouso on West Adams street to learn that Mr. and Mrs. Claypdlo had removed their trunks on the previous evening and left no address. The most diligent inquiry failed to find traces of their whereabouts, and neither Mr. Claypolo nor his fascinating wife have been seen from that day to this. The boys had a speedy trial. Their spirits wore broken by the perfidious conduct, as they supposed, of their "mother." Being under age they were sent to the Bridewell for eighteen months each. This clever capture of Denis Simmons broko up one of the most dangerous gangs that over infested Chicago. It restored Mr. Mendelsohn's good name and reconciled him to his old father in Germauv. But troublo seems inseparable from somo men. Mendelsohn's fortune was very precarious afterward, and two years ago he committed suicide in Milwaukee. Landgraff is dead; Charlie Mott moved to Indiana with his people; Curly, taking tho advice of Denis Simmons when he served his term at the Bridewell, enlisted in tho United States army, and Herman, who turned out a very hard case, is doing a ten years' term at Joliet. VIIL And what of Miss Goggles? The inquisitive spinster paid dearly for her vigil at tho transom. For several, weeks she hovered between life and death. During her spells of delirium sho screamed out confusedly about daggers and pistols and new mado graves, and said sho was going to bo buried alive. When sho was convalescent tho boarders noticed a chaugo in her demeanor. She was quiet and subdued, and her shrill voice had lost the sharp ring which added harshness to her bitter sentences She did not interest herself as much In the affairs of her neighbors. Her spirit of prying inquisitiveness seemed to be broken, and more than one of the neighbors remarked: "Miss Goggles has greatly improved since her sickness." Mr. Johnson, it was noticed, kept silent on tho subject, but his kindly brown eyes were forever fixed on the thin, pale face of the spinster as thongh ho were trying to read the secret of her reformation. Miss Goggles' sudden seizure and subsequent dangerous condition had withdrawn attention from the deplorable conduct of Mrs. Claypole, and that attractive lady was permitted to enjoy her flirtations in j>eaco. interest was not revived m ner uguiu nntil the arrest of the boy burglars, and then there was a sensation in the Frelinghuysen boarding house. Mr. Hadley, who for personal reasons kept pace with the movements of the police in the lace robbery, startled the boarders at dinner the day after the arrests by rushing in, excitedly shouting: "I told you sol" "Told ns what?" asked Mr. Johnson, scowling at the agitated clerk. "Why, that she was no good." "Alii that's very explicit," sarcastically remarked the old gentleman, causing a titter round the board; "and who may she be?" "Mrs. Claypole," shrieked Hadley almost frantically, as he dropped into his seat and viciously attacked tne soup. This declaration had a curious effect. Every knife and fork dropped on the instant, and all eyes were fixed on Hadley, and ten voices, blended with intense curiosity, exclaimed: "Why, what is the matter?" This was one of the supreme moments in the clerk's life. He dropped his tablespoon, mounted on a chair, and addressed the boarders in a half oratorical, half hysterical fashion,.as follows: ""Eadies ancTGentlemen?You all know me and how I have eufferod. The thieves have been caught; a confession has been made; Mr. ana Mrs. Claypole are implicated. She was not so much of a flirt as a thief. The nicely dressed, curly headed boy who called her mother was the captain of the gang. He was a peddler. She tried to spoil my character. The officers are looking for her. She will be hung if they catch her, and I shall marry my darling Ophelia. And" Here Hadley broke down, dropped into a seat again and buried his head in the soup plate, whilo his frame shook with convulsive sobs. Thero was intense excitement in the dining room. Miss Goggles shrieked: "I knew itl" "Henriettal" cried Mr. Johnson, in amazement, bending on her a look of earn The spinster became confused, but repeated, hysterically: "I knew it!" Then broke out a gabble of conversation, during which the spinster's significant remark was forgotten, and the whole story was drawn out piecemeal from Hadley. Every one seemed delighted with tho misfortune which had overtaken the audacious blonde and her bland like husband, the only regrets being that they had loft the house before the officers arrived to arrest them. In the parlor that evening Mr. Johnson and Miss Goggles sat in earnest conversation long after tho rest of the boarders had retired. "And that was the cause of your illness," Mr. Johnson was saying, as ho moved his chair a little nearer tho spinster. "Yes, I was frightened out of my wits by tho young man's ferocious threat." sho replied meekly. "And you never intend to meddle with other people's affairs again?" he asked tenderly. "Never." "Henriettal" "Mr. Johnson!" "You are the woman I've been looking for all my lifo. Curiosity, woman's greatest falling, seems entirely crushed out of you. lam yours; will you bo mine?" Miss Goggles did not faint. - Sho throw herself into Mr. Johnson's arms, and they sealed the bethrothal with a kiss. THE END. HONOR IN TRADE. A year or two ago an old French merchant died, who, for half a century, had carried on a large retail business in New York, Philadelphia, and one or two Southern cities with marked success. His methods were peculiar. No clerk or salesman was permitted to urge or recommend any goods offered for sale. He was to show the article, and state the price. The customer thus bought at his own risk. The merchant did not cheat, but if the buyer cheated himself he did not interpose. Another merchant, a Scotchman, in a Virginia city pursued a still more unusual plan. He would warn an ignorant customer if the cloth she was about to buy was not made of the best material, or if the chintz would fade, or if the hat was no longer quite fashionable. His maxim was that the tradesman and customer should be friends, not antagonists trying to overreach each other. In consequence many of his goods remained unsold. But his customers, finding that they could place absolute reliance on his word, crowded into his shop, and bought honest goods at an honest profit. "The so-called 'systems of trade,' " says a recent writer, "are based upon dishonesty. The grocer who sells adulterated sugar or vitriol vinegar at the same rates as the pure articles; the butcher who sends inferior meat * * 1 ilt/V to tne ignorant, noustKeeperj mcclerk who urges unsalable articles at high prices on country buyers are breaking the law, 'Thou shalt not steal,' as much as the pick-pocket who pilfers the purse." A convict at one of our State prisons lately wrote to the warden, "I was sentenced for stealing. I am now employed in making shoes, and am ordered to insert two sheets of thick paper in the soles, and to color them to imitate leather. Is this the way in which you reform thieves?" In Norway, it is said, some travelers last summer inadvertantly left a gold-headed umbrella hanging on a tree beside a much frequented road, and found it untouched after two days. Everyman, woman, and child who passed that way helped to earn this noble character for the whole district. Every boy who goes into trade, and firmly carries out the pure, strict principles of honesty which he finds in his Bible, will not only live a noble life, but will help to earn for America a character for uprightness * * ? ?* ? *- L "v* * An lotnlir bdq nonor which nt?r cucujico have hoped she would lose. Disappointed.?Honesty is the best policy, and honesty involves perfect consistency. A right action, as, for example, the keeping of a promise, may prove to be an injury to one if he does it with a view to deceive. A good story, and one that is right to this point, is told of Matthew Harvey, who was a prominent man in New Hampshire fifty years ago. It is taken from the Granite Monthly: An impecunious neighbor once called upon Matthew Harvey for a loan of five dollars. He was very particular to make it clear to Mr. Harvey that he should certainly return the money on a certain early day. His persistency in repeating this promise caused Mr. Harvey to hesitate. That a man of such a hopeless financial condition could have suddenly arrived at that point of perfection in business economy that would enable him certainly to pay five dollars at a near and specified time, was incredible to Matthew Harvey. That was a suspicious phase of the request. Still, Matthew Harvey did not reveal his suspicion. Neither did he directly refuse to lend the money, as many others would have done. Withdrawing from the room for a few moments, he marked a fivedollar note in such a way that he would know it again, and this money he lent to the man. True to his word, in a few days the borrower called and paid his debt. The lender privately observed that it was the original five-dollar bill, but he said nothing. He saw clearly whathehad before suspected, that AUrv rviAnntr lioH hpen borrowed and HID UlUUbj returned only to establish the credit of the borrower. In a short time the same man appeared again, and solicited this time ? innnnf ten dollars. "Mr. ,"said Matthew Harvey, "you and I are square now, and I think we had better remain so. You disappointed rae once, and I don't wish you to do so again." j?1* When Benjamin Franklin was an editor, he was in the habit of writing to the young ladies who sent in poetry, saying in honeyed language that, owing to the crowded state of his columns, etc.. but he would endeavor to circulate their productions in manuscript; and then he tied the poems to the tail of his kite for "bobs." ^ JS?* A weak mind is like a microscope, which magnifies trifling things, but cannot receive groat ones.