The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1853-07-01
KATIDA, PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO, FRIDAY, JULY /, 1853

back, bu, r got tired, SD I came away
wllhsut seeing you."
"Well," uttered the young man, in
almost breathless anxiety, "did you zee
anything out of the way?"
''Not tha. know of; but while | was
there, ! saw Mr. Randall 60 away from
the desk where you write, and put some
heavy pieces Of silver into the money
drawer, and when he went out Of the
slore,I went too, for | did not Ike 10
remain after he had gone"
"That was probably the money he
marked, and it was after lie had gone
that the money was taken, for when the
drawer was taken out Of the safe next
morning, he says it was gone; and it was
Of that too, that paid Mr.. Wiley"
For some time Alice Drake sat in
deep thought. Her fingers ends were
placed upon her brow, and weighty ideas
seemed revolving in her mind. She al
length raised heE head, and in hopeful
tone, she said:
"You have many friends, Wilton, and
some who may help you in this emer-
gency. l will myself seek them. All!
there goes Squire Bullard now. You
had better return 10 your own cottage
And trust me, a woman's wit may be a
match for them all" e
.Bui ! cannot consent 10 this, Alice !;
that you should"
"Let me have my way this time," in-
terrupted Alice, "and ! assure you, you
shall not often find me so stubborn, The
meres, accident in the world may turn
the current of affairs" alr m .a'as.
"Weil, be it as you like" returned
Wilton, as he arose from his seat;
"lhough il will be lucky acciden. that
settles this in my favor, although God
knows il would be most just oDe."
Shortly afterwards young Cunning.
ham kissed Alice, and then turned his
steps towards his home, He had been
in the house but short time before he
saw Alice riding by in her fatber's
wagon. He had not yet dared TO tell
his mother that he expected to be taken
to lawyers office, and being ashamed
to be sent for a, home, he told his mother
merely that he was going TO the store,
and left the house. Before be reached
the store, however, he met the deputy
sheriff, who had already an order for his
arrest, Mr.. Randall having entered a
complaint.
Il was not until after dark that Wilton
Cunningham was conveyed 10 The Office
of Mr.. Bullard, and when he arrived he
found not only his uccuser and Witnesses
there, but several ol'the town people be.
sides.
Those who know anything Of the pre-.
liminary examination Of a complaint in
one Of our country lawyers Offices, un'
derstand pretty well the latitude which
is generally given 10 not only Witnesses,
but also to plaintiff and defendant.
Mr.. Bullard opened by reading Mr..
Randall's charge, TO which Wilton, ol
course plead 'not guilty." Randall then
made his sialemen, in full. His son,
Lyman, was called upon TO testify TO
the fact that money had frequently been
stolen from his drawer. Just as young
Randall was delivering his testimony with
bra1en faced, off handed manner, old
farmer Jones entered the Office, followed
by Alice Drake and Mark Loud, the lat
ter Of whom was hosller in Mr.. Willey's
stable.
Randall felt uneasy when he saw
Jones enter, for he did no, like the mar
at all, but Lyman betrayed the mos
trepidation; The cause of which will very
soon be seen.
Mr.. Wiley was then called upon tcl
his evidence, which he gave with precis
ion and confidence.
"This thing looks rather dark" re-
marked Mr.. Bulard, bending sor, OIL
compassionate look upon Wilton.
"Squire," said farmer Jones, in his
usual blunt way, rising slowly upon his
feet, II don't know much about your
regulations, but ] suppose you wouldn't
have no objections to my asking few
questions just about as | lave a mind
tor"
"Certainly not" returned the lawyer,
with an air Of indifference, for farmer
Jones was one of the most honest, up>
right, and influential men in the town.
"Well, then, Squire, bout an hour ago
Miss Alice Drake came driving up TO MY
house an asked me if | didn't remember
Of bein' in Randall's store last Wednesday
night, and Of course, remember il,
though / don't suppose should ever
have ihought of it again in the world if
she hadn't ave mentioned it. Well, 1
came right down with her, and between
US both, we've go, up considerable of a
story. Now | should like to ask Mr..
Randall where bis son was Sunday fore
Iast?'s
"He was at P Hill, TO attend
meeting all days" returned Randall, but,
when he saw how his son rembled, he
evinced some strong misgivingS on that
point.y
"Rather guess you're mistaken, they
spent good part Of a day at Thompson's