The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1843-05-19
When Frederick entered the counting

eight or ten months, and as the station
was free passport to him. he was in the
habit of visiting Mr.. Wilson's daughters !;
and feeling already existed in the heart
of Julia, the most beautiful of the two,
which he seemed fully to reciprocate.-
They were looked upon by their acquain-
tances as already matched pair. And
as Mr.. Wilson never said word upon
the subject, he was supposed to be per-
fectly satisfied.
A year passed on and death entered the
family of Mr.. Wilson once more, and
took from it his daughter Emma, who
though less beautiful than her sister, was
more interesting, from her delicate consti-
tuition, having been for two years hecom-
ing more frau, as consumption first pla-
cling the hectic tinge upon her cheek that
attracted the gaze Of the beholder, but to
inform him how soon that cheek would
be cold, then as the destroyer became more
sure of his victim, covering her counte-
nance with an angelic whiteness,) tri1ed
with her ere the fatal bolt was sent with
unerring aim TO the heart of the doomed
one.
The old man was calm; he resigned
the treasure into the hands that gave it
without murmur, though the workings
of his heart were deep and strong too
deep TO be visible save to his own family.
But deeply as he felt her loss, he knew
she was in a place Of rest, and therefore
he acquiesced in the will of Providence.
Another year passed. and the affections
of Mr.. Wilson seemed to have been trans
ierred from the deceased to the living
daughter and adopted son. He seemed
10 have become tired of business, and
spoke of retiring to country seat short
distance from town, and leaving his bust
ness entirely in the care of Howard, whom
he now spoke of frequently as the future
husband of his daughter, and Frederick.
One morning, however, on going to the
contingencies he was not little surpr-
sed at not finding Howard, as he was
usually there some time before him but
supposing him engaged, he proceeded to
business and thought no more Of it, until
a check which he sen; 10 the bank was re-
turned with the answer thai no money was
there. This at once assured him that at
was not right, Us he had himself deposited
ten thousand dollars the day before. He
accordingly proceeded 10 the bank and
was there shown check, signed by How
ard. for the whole amount in the bank,
and was informed that Howard had pre-
sen,ed the check few minutes previous
to the closing of the door, and the money,
amounting to upwards oftwelSe thousand
dollars, was paid him. Search was i'm
mediately made for him, but wihou, sue
cess. He had left his boarding house in
the evening, stating that he should not be
in at tea. Every conductor of public
conveyance was examined, but none could
give any information, and Mr.. Wilson was
Obliged to give up the search and return
to his store. But on his arrival there a
new cause of uneasiness presented itself.
Bank notices for several thousand dollars
had come in during his absence, of whose
existence he never before had the slightest
knowledge, and of which there was no
entry upon the books. On examination
at the banks the signatures of the notes
were found to be in the hand writing of
Howard, but the endorsers were unknown
to him.
Mr.. Wilson was now fully aware that
Howard had been playing long and deep
game; and now, as affairs had come to a
crisis, he had absconded. The notes,
however, would become due in a few DAYS,
and no alternative existed bu, to pay them
or break He therefore, with an anxious
heart, commenced a scrutiny of his books
and affairs, Here he however could find
only enough to convince him that false
entries had been made, and therefore he
could not tell positively any thing about
them. With heavy heart he closed his
office at night, and went to his house.
His daughter, startled by the strange ap.
pearance of her father, tenderiy enquired
the cause of his uneasiness. Fearing the
consequences, he endeavorcd to quiet her
approximations, but she implored lin to
tell her at once. for suspense was insup-
portable. Well, my child" said he,
81 may as well tell you at once, FOR il
cannot be put off long, but you must pre-
pare yourself for the worst. Howard
has proved villain, and nearly, perhaps
quite, ruined me-" Stunned and speech
less. she sat gazing at her father as he de-
tailed to her all he had then ascertained.