Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-11-14

THE DETECTED TRAITOR.
. 81 WILLIAM II. PECK.

! silk and velvet merchant of Broadway, New
| York, was just entering his superb bazaar,
as one of bis clerks respectfully saluted him,
and started to go out.
Mr.. Clair, shall desire your presence in
my Office ere long," said the merchant. DO
not leave the store until have spoken with
you
= TherS was an ominious sternness in his
| tone that attracted the quick ear of Thornton
| Clair, and as he gazed on his pompous chief.
| who strobe on with unusual haste. his eye
caught that of Hiram Mould, the cashier.
| peering with uuconcealed malice through the
magohaoy bars of his desk. Thornton Clair
had arrived four months before from some
city of the far West, and upon applying to
James Agmoor, lis manly aud intelligent
face had SO pleased that gentleman that his
services were Immediately accepted, and he
was given the responsible post of collector.
This was 10y no means agreeable TO the eu-
vicus Morld, nor did his vexatiou diminish as
he saw that James Agmoor daily grew more
and more attached TO the youth.
While Clair stood awaiting the expected
summons. and as Mr. Agmoor entered his
private office, the cashier moved from his seat
and following his principal. carefully closed
the green baEe door after him.
Ii was strange TO see the proud and pom
pous air of the lordly merchant change to one
of ill-conceaie1 fear and disgust the cash
ier bade Tim good day and seated himself
near him, facing aim. and having the Office
table between them.
You have considered my propositions,
James Acmoor,' said he, in smooth, soft
voice, sleek and silky as the precious fabrics
that were about him.
James Agmoor buried his face in his hands
for moment, and then sweeping back his
snow white hair, said, huskIly:
Il have, Hiram Mould, l haYer and his
face pale and red By turns, again sought the
covert of bis trembling hands l have told
my daughter that you demand her for wife.
Sue told me to tell you that she would rather
be beggar in the streets than the wife OF
Hiram Mould
Did you tell her all?'
L told her ALL barst from the quivering
lips of the merchant. = told her that Hiram
Mould sas tlse master of her father; that ere
she was born | had committed crime-s
crime whose ever present guilt has blauched
nay hair before l have reached my fortykfth
year
And then she relented:'
She asked me TO tell her of that crime,
replied Agmoor, and as be spoke his eyes
grew bright aud he looked Hiram Mould tull
In the face / told her. She said the deed
was not a crime-thau the blow was dealt In
self-drfence that killed Charles Harper. Aud
SO it was, Hiram Mould; you know 1t was
Were We in court, l., tue only witness of
the act, Jane. Agmoor, would swear that
it Sas-premeditsted murder.
James a gmoor's eyes closed with shud-
der, aui again the trembling hands hid the
paiiid face
Il Boald swear resumed Hiram Mould,
as his sharp, white teeth briStleG from bis
sueering lips, and the jury would believe
every word, that one summers evening, some
twenty years ago. saw james Agmoor, who
had refused to fight in fair and opeu combat
with Charles Harper. crouching amid the
bushes that bordered the jersey woods. and
as Charles Harper was riding uIsuspectingiy
by, saw James Agmoor spring from his
covert, and strike him to the earth with a
club would swear that James Agmoor
then and there murdered charles Harper. and
buried the body where [ could find the bones;
ave. the watch that should identify the body |
All falsen cried the merchant aIousing
himself for a momsnt Twas James Ag-
moor who was dragged from his horse by
Charles Harper! Twas Hiram Mould who
promted the assault for purposes of his own
because be hated each with deadly hate
You Hiram Mould, first made us, who were
till then. bosom friends, bitter enemies. He
struck me, / returned the blow; he drew bIS
knife and STABBED me; but before L fell sense
less | wrested the weapon from him ana dealt
him fatal thrust that Frustrated him also.
We fell together-alike unconscious IN a
swoon, he dead When sense and feeling re-
turned to me, 1 was In your house. You,
Hiram Mould, hiG the body where you can
.ind the remains to convict Me-
The public believe that Charles Harper
was murdered, you created that belief; but to
use me ali my life you took successful care
that the finger of suspicion should not point
at me. lest the law should kill the goose that
lays the golden egg
While the tortured man was saying all this,
far more incoterently than We have written
il. the uDmoved conspirator had rapidly
sketched picture of gibe ted felon, and as
the merchant concluded Hiram Mould placed
the significant sketch before hin.
Such will be your fate, if Rachael Ag-
moor refuses to become my wife, said be,
pointing at the hideous figure with his long,
lean finger.
Again the merchant yielded before his ter
rible threat, and his head sank upon his bo-
som.
Now call in Thornton Clair, and dismiss
him at ouce,' said Hiram, sternly. He loves
your daughter-she, perhaps loves him You
have foolishly allowed him to visit at your
house 1t shall be my care that Thornton
Clair shall not find another employer In this
city
Il am in your power groaned the unhap-
py man, rising and opening the door, but as