Virginia Advocate

Lord C. after receiving his rents, was in the habit of retiring with his steward to his study: and there, after settling his accounts, and depositing the money in the strong box, till the next day, when the steward was sent with it to the bank. This man had lived with his Lordship's father, and was so beloved by the family, that they placed implicit confidence in his integrity and worth. For some time his lordship had, upon inspecting the banker's book, and upon reference to his private account, found that the sum they credited him, was always short of that he sent. This being continued, led to severe investigations; but no result that came out, satisfied him how the deficiency could happen. Some of the servants came under his displeasure and they were at various periods dismissed. On one particular rent day, he placed the money in a different room, still having for his confident the old steward; who of course joined with his lord in the regretting his late losses. On the same night, the housemaid went to this room to see that the shutters were safe, and recollecting that she had to clean it out very early, she thought it not worth while to go to bed, but determined to lay herself down and sleep on the sofa. She did so, and put out the candle.

When half asleep, she was awaked by a noise at the door, and she was just going to ring the bell, thinking it was thieves, when it slowly opened, and in walked the old steward. He looked cautiously round and hesitated: but seeing no object, went to the escrutoire where his lord had locked his rents up. After opening the lock, he took out what he pleased, and then locked the drawer, was going out, when--the reflection of the candle upon the servant's clothes caught his eye! He started! but she might be asleep, and his transgression not witnessed. To be assured of this, he went to the sofa, and flashed a candle backwards and forwards before her eyes.

The girl lay still. He put his hand into his pocket, drew out a knife, and opened it. The girl lay still. He then put it to her throat--drew it across and across, till she could feel the edge almost cut her. She was now aware that silence alone could save her life: for did she move, he would of course, murder her. She had presence of mind to lie still as death in the pot. Satisfied, after this terrible trial, that she must be asleep, he closed the knife, and walked out of the room. The frightened girl waited till she heard his footsteps faint away, and then rushed up to the chamber of her lord, and awakening him, she detailed the whole of the scene, begging his lordship to satisfy himself of the truth. She had no sooner told her story than she fainted. Lord C. hardly credited her, but he arose, leaving Lady C. to take care of the girl; and after raising up his valet, and other servants, proceeded to search for the steward.

His apartments being in a different wing of the house, they looked all about, and they cautiously made their way to his room. One of the men climbed up to the window, and saw the old man counting money. He descended and told this; and then they rushed into the room, and before the villain could hide his prize, they had him a prisoner. His lordship identified the bank notes found upon him, and he was, after a severe examination, sent to prison. Afraid of being executed, and dreading to face his injured Lord, and various other gentlemen who had placed confidence in him, he put an end to his life by cutting his own throat: but not before he had left a letter detailing the sums he had purloined, and where his master could find them. Justice being frustrated by his not being made an example of, his Lordship was not sorry to be spared accusing his old and hitherto supposed faithful servant, and the whole was hushed up as much as possible.