Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-01-30

uut SinCe you are TO De my enemy, "ouiu oo
simpleton to throw away the weapons chance
has given me.''
"What do you mean, young man 20
"I mean CASTOR Holt" replied Charles,
s'that have discovered that have been toll
ing for f0rger. This day l discovered it.
intended to give you the only proofs of your
guilt, that you might destroy them and so,
having proved my gratitude for supposed
kindness, would have ceased to be your debtor
and cashier at the same moment. / shall re-
tain those proofs | have them in my pocket
now, l will not use them against you unless l
Shall have cause to suspect you are determined
to continue the dlshonorable practice, or
unless"
"Unless what 7'' said Mr.. Holt, livid and
fierce.
"Unless you presume to think of Olivia
Sancini," replied Charles, as he turned to
leave the office.
eTake this with you!'' cried CASTOR Holt,
springing at him, and striving to plunge dirk
into his bosom.
But Charles was strong and vigilant. He
caught the descending hand of the infuriated
man, and with powerful wrench, hurled him
upon the floor.
"Assassin and forger you shall hear from
me to-rnorrow,'' said Charles, as the disarm-
ed william glared at him from the floor.
Then turning, he slowly departed.
ssIf he lives till daylight, L shall be ruined!"
exclaimed CASTOR Holt, springing up in dis
may, and rapidly following Charles. He soon
overlook him in the street, and, as Charles
faced him, whispered:
"Be merciful, young man ! Give mo three
days to close up my affairs, and then l will
leave New Orleans forever"
He begged so pitifully land seemed so heart
crushing, that Charles consented, only stipua-
ting that the rascal should leave the country.
81 will 1 swear will 20 said Holt.
They parted-Charles going toward his
home, in the upper part of the city, while
Holt hurried elsewhere in search of Jerome
Sancini the father of Olivia. He soon found
him in his favorte drinking saloon and taking
him aside, said
"You have work to do, Jerome"
eyes What is it, senior ?'' asked Jerome
Ia swarthy, eril-browed fellow, whom no one
would suspect to be the father of so lovely
and amiable girl as the fair Olivia.
ssYou are about to lose large sum of mon
ey: my friend Jerome. promised you a GER
tain amount in case became the husband of
Olivia. You know Olivia is not your child 7''
"You and know only it, senor,'' replied
Jerome.
ssWhy else :? She does not suspect. She
cannot. She was young when stole her
from her parents in Italy, that she knows moth
ing of her origin.'
ssHer father is in New Oreans.'
ssAh! can he suspect ?''
ssNot yet Jerome. But wish her to be my
wife before the rich Italian leaves for Cuba.
You sold me the secret of her birth for a good
round sum, and you shall have thrice as much
when am her husband. Suppose You should
go to her father and tell him ?''
'sTell him !" cried Jerome. ssThe old man
would dirk me on the spot. He is magazine
OF gunpowder, that old man. He wronged
me yonder in Italy, and I've had good long
revenge of him. Tell him my wife might,
if she met him, for she has grown very pious
of late.''
ssWell there is work to be done in haste
Yon know Charles Lewis 20
"Of course-Olivia's love-
"Unless you put him ont of the way, shall
never have chance to give you any more
money, Jerome.''
"So-so | understand - said Jerome. setting
his teeth hard. $50 you know, Senior Holt ? |
Last night had occasion to stop Olivia; she |
was very impertinent, you see, and Charles |
Lewis saw it-saw me slap her ears not hard !; |
oh, no land he threatened to pound me it l
ever dared to touch her again. You see he |
suspects Olivia is not my child. Ny wife has |
tongue entirely too long, and she esteems
that young fellow.''
81 have said enough, Jerome,' continued |
Holt, placing roll of bills in the desperado's |
hand. eff he lives three days 1 must leave |
America, and you
"You shall not leave, Senor. will attend |
to this little business
After much more villainous discourse, the |
pair separated, and CASTOR Holt returned to
his office.
1t was after midnight when he stole forth
into the street, muttering:
ssI must secure those papers, he said he |
had them with him. He never lies. / know
the room in which he sleeps; it is easy of ac-
cess. He will keep those papers on his per-
son, or conceal them in his room. In either
case. if Jerome does for him, the papers may
be found and so ruin me and think l had
better trust my own hand rather than Jerome's.
At all events, will try for the papers-at least
look about-for l am in agonies Of dread."
He hurried on until he paused before the
modest residence Of Charles Lewis.
The darkness and stiffness of the hour, and
the open window Of the young mans room,
tempted him. He easily scaled the little fence
before the house, and gained noseless en-
trance into the room. 1t was by no means
the first time CASTOR Holt had found himself
IN SO dangerous situation and having taken
OIL his shoes before he scaled the fence, he
began to advance step by step into the apart
ment, with which he was quite familiar from
former visits of fegned friendship. He paus-
ed and listened very intently but heard no
breathing, and knowing the position of the
iesk in which Charles kept his private papers,
slowly CROPPED his way thither. He reached
It, when slight noise attracted his attention
owaTd the window and as he glanced that way
ne saw that some dark body had dropped into
he room as noselessly as cat. Filled with
error, he sank to the floor and gided be-
lind the bed, SO that he stood between it
md the wall. The next five minutes was
period of horror to him, for he could neither
lee nor hear anything. He wondered that he
could not hear the breathing Of the sleeping
and suddenly conceiving that the
bed was vacant, he swept his hand softly over
t. The bed was vacant.
"No doubt he or some one saw me enter land