The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-09-11
Al DETECTIVES EXPERIENCE.
A TOUCH OF ROMANCE.

1t WAS JUST DeIOre tno WILL, eaiu our lrlenu,
the detective, "that queer trick was played
me by Young fellow accused Of forgery"
"How was it ?-e me hear the story"
"Well, have no objection, but don't inter-
rurt me with questions"
The reporter promised silence, and the hand
some, splendid looking man. elevated his feet
to the table and thus proceeded:
"The chief called me into the office one
morning and told me that check for $4,000
had been drawn by the confidential clerk of q
we'll known commercial house, and had been
cashed at the bank where their funds were de-
posted. 1t was forgery, and the clerk had
lett as soon as the money was obtained. His
name was Henry Harding, his parents lived in
one of the interior parishes, and it was sup
posed he had gone there before setting out
elsewhere; Icoud only learn tnat ne was
This was all the description I could ascer-
tain. The affair had not been blown abroad,
and the chief directed me TO work up the
case.' You know that s. and always
work together. 1 called him and We had o
consultation. He prosecuted researches
here, while 1 went to the country. This
arranged, l was soon on my way. I
Harding lived, and I hoped to reach the
house before night, bu. in this was disap-
pointed. Long before dusk, dark clouds be-
gan 10 form along the verge OF the horizon
and climb rapidly to the zenith. The thuud.r
and lightning came at intervals, and was
soon assured that one Of those semi tropic
storms, which are so frequent IN the summer,
would ere long burst upon me in its fury. /
hastened forward, therefore, looking eagerly
around for some place Of shelter. I had pro-
ceeded but little distance when [ saw just
before me woodman's hut. 1 got into this 8
soon as possible. I had hardy got comfortably
sheltered before gentleman and lady dashed
up to the door and dismounted. Like myself,
hey were seeking shelter from the storm.
The man was middle aged, and exhibited in
his person the strong athletic frame, the open
brow. and genial pleasant face of the South
ern planter; btt- there was IN his counte-
nance now q touch Of sadne5s, seemingly
exquisite sense of sorrow, strangely out of
keeping with what the man should have
been. His companion was young girl Of ex-
ouislte beauty, with dark, soulful eyes, and
hair black as night She looked, indeed, q
daughter of the tropics, and the tall, splendid
form was regal in its majesty. She was such
a woman as man could wish to live for, and,
if need be, die for. They we're both in travel
ling costume, and from their conversation I
Judged they we're father and daughter, just
setting out on q journey, and endeavoring to
reach the river in time Tor an up-going steamer.
Shortly after their arrival negro boy drove
up in o cart containing trunks. On one Of
these was the name Of "Mrs. Harding, La"
You may readily conceive that my eyes were
wide open, now, and my ears too. Here was
something that I must needs observe. 1
walked out OF the hut and went around to
where the negro was standing. boy, where's
your Young master ?" T asked the question
abruptly, looking the negro in the eye.
"Golly, massa, dis chile dunno; hain't seen
him for mos year." My resolution was taken
on the instant. would follow these people.
was satisfied they were in search OF Henry.
He could not co ne TO them, and they were
going TO him. The whole matter was as clear
as day. did follow them to the river, where
the daughter embarked on board an upward
bound boat, and the father returned home.
took passage on the same steamer. would
not lose sight OF the girl. I was satisfied she
was going to her brother. I insinuaoed myself
into her presence, and at last got into CONVEX
sation. was one-half in love with her already;
learned that she was going to New York, for
some object she did not reveal. / thought
knew what the object was; but it h.d Secome
OF secondary Importance now, for I was
deeply, unmistakably in love. Had her
brother stood before me, and she had asked
me to forbear, it is doubtful if would have
arrested him. could not exist out of her
presence. She had become the one object nec-
essary to nay happiness. At last we reached
New York. I could contain myself no longer.
I sought an opportunity and told her Of my
love-told my name, occupation and present
obiect-I revealed everything; only asked to
share her affections. She seemed greatly agi-
tated, and asked that would leave her until
the next day. This was the forenoon Of Mon
day-Iuesday afternoon I called for my an
swer The servant who answered my sum-
mons informed me that the young lady had
left the evening previous on steamer for the
West Indies, but she had left note. tore
open the letter eagerly. l. contained these
words:
"Sir: For your preference am much obliged;
but the laws forbid gentlemen marrying each
other. By the time this reaches you, will be
on board the West India steamer. Very re-
spectfully. HENRY HARDING
II took no more to show what o trick had
been played me. You may believe have sell
dom told that love story.