Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-03-13


SO unwell that was absolutely obliged to lift
her out of the carriage and carry her up the
| steps. Here she besought me to come in,
that she might thank me for my kindness, as
suring me that she should never forget 1t.
Accordingly | ordered the driver to wait and
/ in l went. We passed through hall in
which the gas burned dmly, and into the par
| lor likewise but little lighted, but, as we'll as
| could see, quite nicely furnished. The mo-
mept we entered the room she appeared to re-
vive, and closing the door, and taking of her
| bonnet and cloak, she requested me to be
seated; did SO upon lounge near at hand,
| and presently she came and seated herself at
my side. She thanked me over and over a
| gain, and requested my card, which l gave
| her. She appeared completely recovered from
| her late illness, which she quite subject
| to, and l have since come very much to the
same conclusion. She had expected to meet
| her husband at the theatre, and did not know
| why he had not been there. He lawyer,
| and perhaps his business had detained him.
| Thus passed a quarter of an hour. At the
| end of that time heard steps coming along
| the hall; they stopped at the parlor door, and
! the knob turned, but the door would not
| yield. Then q heavy voice exclaimed, open
this door!' This was followed by strong
| kick. At the same timo the lady cried out,
| sMy God it is my husband-the door is lock-
| ed; be is terribly jealous-he will kill you;'
and fell fainting into my arms. What posi-
tion for modest man Before l could think
twice, open bursts the door with tremend-
Gus crash, and man frantic with rage rushed
into the room. For a moment he looked at
us without speaking; then, with loud oath
sprung to the table, opened the drawer, and
seiEng pair of pistols pointed them at my
head, crying out as he did so Villain l have
found you. You shall die - The wife sprung
from my arms, and seized the barrel of pis-
tol with each hand. sWould you commit
murder2 He is innocent = she cried out, but
he swore with awful oath that if 1 moved
he would kill me. Had only had my revoly-
with me-and l generally carry it-he
would, perhaps, have come off second best
but had that day sent it to be repaired and
therefore, luckily for him, / was unarmed.
At length his ferocity melted beneath the
tears and protestations OF his wife, and the
matter was finally adjusted by my leaving my
watch and all my money-which was about
three hundEed dollars-as pledge that would
call the next day and settle the att.l;C, ne at
the same time giving me his note for the a
mount, and threatening TO blow my brains out
If 1 retired with out SO doing. Alter it was
done he walked down to the carriage with me, |
for it was still waiting, and got in after me, |
still keeping the pistols in his hands. When |
we had ridden some ten minutes the carriage |
stopped, and was ordered to get out. ! did |
so, as he possessed a most potent spersuader,' |
and the hack drove off and left in an un-
known part of the city. OF course l have
been unable to find the house, and my
money is lost, without you can help me find
it; but will give them the credit of having |
played the game eXcellently."
When my friend had finished 1 burst into a
loud laugh. L could not help it, the whole az
fair was so rich and amusing but promised |
to assist him as far as was able.
ssHave you mentioned the affair to any |
one 7'' asked him.
ssNo, you are the first. thought that it |
would be useless, as had no satisfactory proof
of the transaction, for, of course, the note is
worthless, even if could find the house, which
is perfectly impossible, as l have not the fain-
test idea of its locality"
ssShould you know the woman if you should |
see her again !''
ssYes, among a thousand"
s'And the man. could you recognize him 70
81 think could"
l asked him to give me description of h i'm
and he did so. | could have hugged him in
my joy, for here was the very man was in
search of, and l could, by finding him, kill |
two birds with one stone, and instead of being
TO my friend a losing business, il would pay
we'll, as reward of one thousand dollars had
been offered me by the person whose name had
been forged if should arrest the criminal,
and promised Markham one half of it, in case
l was successful, for having put me on the
right track.
The next day commenced, but for two days
nothing of consequence was done. On the Sec
ond evening, however, the prospect brighten
cd. Markham and myself were leisurely pro-
menading Broadway, and talking of nothing
in particular, when grasping me by the arm,
he suddenly exclaimed:
ssDo you see it ?''
eyes, said / mechanically, but without
having the faintest idea what he meant.
ssThat's the one," he continued, "l could
tell it anywhere
ssWhat is the one? 90 asked.
'sThat pink bonnet ahead,' he replied, ssand
'tis the same cloak, too.''
In truth, about twenty feet before
lady wearing pink bonnet, and walking along
unaccompapied by gentleman. | instantly
knew to what he referred. and my pleasure
was as great as bis.
':But are you perfectly certain that il is the
one 20
.:That am ! but see, she has stopped at
Lh at window, and we shall have look at her
face yes, l knew was right" he continued
as the lady in question, looking in at the store
window, gave us good yiew of her couDtc
nance.
instantly requested Markham to leave me
lest she should chance to see him and to re-
cognize him, which would completely spoil
the plan Of operations, the principal points Of
which had already marked out for myself
[ promised that il he would do so l would run
the game to cover, and he should be in at the
death. Accordingly he turned upon his heel,
and in few minutes was out ol sight. AS
soon as he was gone walked forward oriskly,
till had reached the pink bonnet. continu-
ed behind her long enough to impress myself
with the appearance of her attire, and then
passing her, walked swiftly on until was
about three or four rods ahead of her, when
stopped in the doorway Of store, and appear
ed to be ntently examining the articles
through the side window. AS she came to-