The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-02-06

I
the day, but he was a mere machine for I'll
casting up of sums, the balancing OF books an
locking of safes. Mr.. Hausermann was III
much cleverer than the cashier; he was an az
mlrable arithmetician, could defect an error {
hall penny in problem involving billions, an
his penmanship was magnificent But wit
these atanments he owed his present positio
in commerce, not to his abilities, but to the liz
rims he had inherited and to the talent and keer
ness Of the Engli partner. 1t was from tn
chief of the house himself that | heard the TO
lowing tale Mr.. Spaulding, as | have SAID
had but two children, Emma and her brothe
Adoiphus his wife had died on the voyage iron
Philadelphia, and his affection centered in hi
boy and girl Uuluckily, Adolphus did no
tura out well, was wild and extrava CANT, ant
squandered his liberal allowance among gam
blers and horse jockeys. Mr. Spaulding, strc
with all the world besides. was rather lax ant
indulgent where his son was concerned The
| young man was very good looking and OF pleas
ing address, he had been the darling OF his dea(
mother and the father was very patient anC
| forbearing with him, for her sake. The you'll
went from bad to worse, got deeper into debt ant
evil company seldom came home, and seriously
impaired his health by a long course OF excuses
All This knew for Adolphus was clerk IN the
house, nominally at least, though he hardly eY
did not know was that Adolphus Spaulding, il
his eagerness to settle d number of so-calleC
debts of honor, had been led to rob his father
He had forged the signatures of Spaulding anC
Hausermann to a check for thirty thousand dol
lars, payable at sight, and purporting to be
drawn by the merchants on their ba kers IL
New York. More than this; ne had abstractet
from his fathers desk Russia leather pocket
book, containing bills and securities for a large
amount, aad this he had placed i'll the hands Of
the same vile associate who had undertaken Il
present the check at the counter of the New
York Bank
The scoundrel has gone northward already
He started last Tuesday by the way Of Panama
along with the mail, said Mr.. Spaulding, YOU
know the man, / dare say, for he was very no
torious in the town--Joram Heckler.
Dr.. Joiam Hecklern | exclaimed, as l re-
called to mind the dark clever face of the young
man alluded to a plausible, welmanuered per-
son, who had been sub-editor of San Francisco
newspaper.
Yes Doctor Or Colonel Heckler, responded
Mr.. Spauiding, with bitter smile ; for it ap-
pears that he has assumed a military title ON
his Journey back te the north. He possessed
great influence over the mind Of my misguided
son he was the tempter in this accused rob-
berry; and l doubt not that he intends to appro-
i aow asked Mir. Spauldfng as delcately as
| could how he obtained his information
II appeared that AdoIphus whose feeble
frame, exhausted by hard living, was Ill fitted to
sustain the fierce excitement of the felonious
act ie had committed, had sickenod Of fever,
Immediately after the departure of his accom-
plice
''Tbe wretched boy lies on his bed mp stairs,
quiyeriug betwixt life and death said the faith
er, in fGltering voice and in his delirium
he has betrayed his guilt His sister, who has
watched at his bedside like an angel, as she is,
dear girl she was frightened at his rawlings Of
self accusation She called me, and with my
own ears heard the son was SO proud of-my
petied boy--tell how he had cheated and plan
de- 4 me,
NE I'D merchant staggered to chair, aud
saw the ,eas trickle between the fingers with
which he tried to hide the workings of his
wrinked face.
After a time he grew more calm. Then he
developed his plan. in which broke out his habit
ual decision and force Of character. Before all
things, the honor Of the house must be saved.
The value of The money at stake( though large
sum- was trding compare ed 10 the disgrace, the
loss of credit die bot upon the name Of 5pauld-
ing. Yes, at any cost the young mans shame
ful act ma, t be hidden in darkness. The cheque
must not be presented, the bills must not be ne
gotiated But how to prevent the tempter from
realizing the benefits Of his i'll gotten booty p
He was off--speeding towards New York by the
quick Panama route; in few weeks he would
be there. No pursuit seemed possible. The
delay till the start would be fa al. | rem ember
ed the Pony Express, the swift overland mail
whereby we Californian residents can most
rapidly communicate with the civilized world
and sug gestcd this resource.
Mr. Spaudng shook his head. No, that
would never do; l might send a dispatch, no
doubt, TO stop the payment OF the cheque. /
might. perhaps, procure Heckler's arrest OH his
arrival in New York but hence would spring
inquiry, doubt, suspicion, and the whole black
affair would creep into the journals i'll less than
a week. No; | have but one chance, one hopei
must send a trustworthy person. am too old
to 90 myset--a trustworthy person to hasten
to New York by the perious route across the
Rocky Mountains, and he must arrive before
Heckler, and must get the papers from him by
violence strategem. George Waford,y ou are
the man | have selected
l. sir?
was stupefed. Before my fancy rose, like
panorama, the long route, then bus lately ex-
plored, that travcrsed the enormous continent
from sea to sea route teeming with dangers.
Ali | had ever heard or read Of prairie travel OF
famine, fire, the assaults Of wild beasts, aud Vi
human foes more pitiless still, crowded on my
my memory at once. thought of the vast dis
lance, of the almost herculean fatigueS t. be
undergone, of the icy barrier which the Rocky
Mountains stretched across the track, as if to
bar the progress OF presumptu0us man and
though | am 10 fainter OF heart than my neigh
bors. dare say my countenance expressed dis
may and repugnance. Indeed, | am sure it did,
for Mr.. Hausermann groaued and said, Don
ner what shall we to now ?
Waford.' said Mr. SpauIding, L don Il wish
TO diSsembe with you, | am asking you TO in
cur the Certainty Of very great fatigue, hard
ship and danger. | am asking you TO risk life
itself TO save the honor of the house and that OF
my own family. | do not make such a request
without proposing a prOportIonate reward
There. hear me out? | don't offer you money
for such service. Come back successful, and
you shall be d partner in the house of Spauld-
ing and Hausermann; and if you and Emma
are Of the same mind three months henca--'
uembed with JOY as | interrupted my EN-
ployer. I'll 90, sir, gladly and most willingly
That prave pUy. knew he would, ejac-
ulaed the German; and the cashier rubbed MS
hands joytully.
When can you be ready to start 2 asked
Mr.. Spauding.
Directly In half an hour, if you please
Am hour will do said Mr.. Spauid ding with q
smile at my eagerness. Bodrsson shall be at
the door by that time with his carriage and his
best horses. You must save your strength as
mucb as you can for the pralne. IOn have a
six shooter, | know. Get ready what requisites
for the journey will 60 into small compass
You shall have an ample supply Of money
spend It freely, avsh!y. and don spare horse
flesh gold on the way. | would give half my
fortune to place you speedily on the paVemea'
Of New York. You are an ambassador wlthtuI
powers, George and your own wit and courage
must carry you through. Now you had better
prepare for the road
fingered.
Anything more to say = asked the merchan
good humorediy.
If could speak a moment-just an instan
to Miss Spaulding7
She is at her broiher's bedside replied the
old man hurriedly. 'But-yes you are right. OF
shall see her before you start
1 seemed to take but one step to the houst
where lodged. spent ten minutes hastily ar
ranging my belongings-and it is wonderful ho7