Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1857-09-15

I house Joined the bank, both buildings be-
ing in one block.
After Charles Degrand had told me all
he had to tell at that time, | informed
him that | would help him all could
/ He asked me if | thought | could clear
him. | told him to keep still, and trust
to me. He went away with some hope,
out very far from being happy. Half an
! hour afterward, Mr.. Mark Warton came
! in. He was a tall, stout, stern-featured
man, very precise in all his movements,
and seeming to trust no one. He looked
/ upon all his fellows as SO many embryo
/ thieves, who needed only the temptation
to lead them astray. He wished me to
make out the necessary documents for the
arrest Of Charles Degrand. | pleaded
press of business, and urged hun to seek
elsewhere. He bowed stifflY and went
away. - ass@ - A.ss
I As soon as Warton was gone, | sent
my boy for Mr.. Lane, and ere long, that
gentleman made his appearance.
Henry Lane was a deputy sheriff. and
one of the most shrewd and efficient of
ficers | ever knew.
Il just met Mr.. Warton,' he said, after
he had taken seat, sand he told me be
should have a job for me before night
He means to have Charles Degrand
arrested said |.
Charles Degrand g repeated Lane,
in astonishment. You don't mean the
teller IN the bank q
Yes-our Charley And thereupon
| explained to him all had learned from
Degrand.
Lane was Indignant. He knew that
Charley Degrand never took penny that
was not honestly his own; and he said
he wished he could say the same of Mari,
Warton.
Doesn't Warton go to the city to-mor-
row!' asked.
| think he does.' returned Lane. He
is making preparations for grand tour
with his family.
| was aware of this, for | had heard
Warton say, only a few days before, that
he was gong west upon a summer launt.
We conversed while longer, and then |
had Lane first notify Degrand, and then
90 and get a search Under the
circumstances | did not wish to grant the
warrant myself, but | told the officer |
was willing to swear as a witness, if he
couldn't find another whom he wished to
trust. He SAID he would do the best he
could, and so left me.
did not want Degrand arrested.
knew he was not guilty; and knew, too,
that an arrest would be apt to leave a
sting which would gall him for long
time. But would not have taken this
course. had [ not hoped to be able, within
SIX and thirty hours, to prove where the
real leak IN the bank vault was.
Just at dark as | sat alone in my office,
my boy having gone home to his supper,
my door was opened, and a young lady
made her appearance. | recognized
Mary Allen. She sank into a seat, and
then removed her vail. She attempted
to speak, but her courage failed her, aud
she began to weep.
Il know the object of your visit said |.
/ You have come to ask me if Charles De-
gand is guilty.
What, sir!' she cried, starting up in
| an instant. To ask you if he Is guilty +?
No, no, no! Oh! God knows he is IN
nOcent! come to ask you to save him.
He told me you were his friend. Oh 4.
you know he is innocent! They cannot
harm him.
You need not fear, Miss Allen I
said | have his Interests at heart, and
shall do all | can.
And you can save him from this false
charge g
| hope to save him from any evil re-
suits. But ! can tell you more to-mor-
row at this hour
When Sba aro-a 70 ,o1-o borToor ebo
made me promise that | would not tell
Charles of her visit to my office. |
promised, and she went away with far
more of hope than she had when she en-
tered. She was beautiful girl, and as
good as she wes beautiful.
As the shades of night came on, felt
strange emotions creeping over me. |
was about to startle the town. Ave
| startle the whole business community. |
had held curious suspicious for long
while. Three months before not
must have been more than that, for the
snow was deep and Grip ,hen-I had oc-
casion to pass the bank very late one
night--or, | should say, very early in the
morning; for 1t was near one o'clock. |
came up the street, passing the bank first,
anu lIlch passing w dltOl UOuSt. AS
reached the corner of the fence which
separated the yard of the dwelling from
the other, | saw the flicker of a light up
on the cellar window of the former. 1t
was from light within the cellar |
reached point from which | could gaze
in, and | was just in time to see man
disappear through the wall naxt the hank
| could see that he had to stoop very low
IN order TO pass through.
l don't know why should have had
such q curiosity just then, but did have
it, and il ruled my movements. Might
not some burglar have found his way into
the bank !-into OUR BANK, where | had
several thousand dollars on deposit2 |
resolved to wait and satisfy myself
| walked across the street, and then up
a little way; and then back again; aud
so | killed time for over half an hour. |
was just approaching the house for the
IL / !