The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-10-31
I1liscellanp.
A SHARP DETECTIVE.

sit was Just before the war;" said the detect
I've, ''that queer trick was played me by
young fellow accused of forgery" frT7 az
GLOW was it ? Let me hear the story"
"Well, have no objections but don't inter
rupt Inc with questions
The reporter promised silence, and the detect
i've elevated his feet to the table and thus pro.
cesded.
'The chief called me into the office one mcra-
ing. and told that check for $4,000 had
been drawn by the confidential clerk of a we'll
known commercial house, and had been cashed
at the bank where their funds were deposited.
1t was a forgery and the clerk had left soon
as the money was obtained. His was
Henry Harding, his parents lived in one of the
interior parishes, and it was supposed he had
gone there before setting cut elsewhere 1could
only learn tnat he was very young and OF rather
etteminate appearance. This was all the des-
cripton l could ascertain The affair had not
been blown abroad, and the chief directed me
80 work up the ease You know that S.
and 1 always work together. I called him and
we had consultation. He prosecuted researches
re, while l went into the country. This ar
.nged / was soon on my way. had found out
hero the family Of young Harding lived, and
aad hoped to reach the house before night, but
in this l was disappointed. Long before dusk,
dark clouds began to form along the verge of tho
thunder and lightning came at inter walls, and I
was soon assured that one of those ssmi-tropic
storms, which are so frequent in the summer,
would ere long burst upon me in its fury.
fastened forward, therefore, looking eagerly
around for some place of shelter. 1 had proceed
cd but little distance when I saw before me a
woodman's hut. got into this as soon as pos
sible. had hardly got comfortably sheltered
before Ia gentleman and lady dashed up to the
Ionr and 4ad 10
seeking shelter from the storm.-The man was
middle-aged, and exhibited in his person the
strong athletic frame, the open brow, and gem
ial, pleasant face of the southern planter; but
there was in his ceuntenance now touch of sad
ness, seemingly exquisite sense OF sorrow,
strangely out of keeping with what the man
should have been. His companion was young
girl of exquisite beauty, with dark soulful eyes,
and hair black night. She looked, indeed, a
daughter OF the tropics, and the tall, splendid
form was regal in its majesty. She was such
woman as q man could wish to live for, and if
need be, die for. They were both in travelling
costume, and, from their conversation, Judged
they were father and daughter, just setting out
en- journey, and endeavoriug to reach the river
in time for an up-going steamer. Shortly after
their arrival negro boy drove us in a cart con-
tanning trunks On one of these was the name
Of Mrs. Harding, La You may readily con-
ears too. Here was something that must needs
observe. / walked out of the nut and went
around to where the negro was standing Boy,
where's your young master = ] asked the ques-
ton abruptly looking the negro in the eve.
'Gelly, massa dis chile dunno hain't seen
him for mos year. My resolution was taken on
the instant. | would follow these people l
was satisfied they were in search of Henry. He
could not come to them, and they were going to
him Tho rbnla al l. r
did follow them to the river, where the daueh-
ter embarked in an upward-bound boat, and the
father returned home. l took passage on the
same steamer. | would not lose sight of the
girl. | was satisfied she was going to her broth
or. | insinuated myself into her presence, and
at last got into conversation. / was one-half
IN love with her already; before We reached ST.
Louis was wholly so. l learned that she was
going to New York, for some object that she did
not reveal. | thought / knew what the object
was; but it had become of secondary Importance
now, for was deeply, Enthusiastically in love
Had her brother stood before me, and she had
asked me to forbear, it is doubtful if / would
have arrested him l could not exist out of her
presence. She had become the one object nee.
essray to my happiness At last we reached
New York. l could contain myself no longer.
sought an opportunity and told her nv love-
told my name, occupation and present object
~'."SN wei 'hInS ohly ASKED 10 snare her
affections. L would leave her until the next
day. This was the forenoon of Monday. Tues.
day afternoon 1 called for an answer-The ser.
want who answered my summons informed me
that the young lady had loft the evening pre-
vlous on steamer for the West Indies but she
had left a note. l tore open the letter eagerly.
1t contained these woads:
SIR-For your preference, am much obliged
but the laws forbid gentlemen marrying each
other BY the time this reaches you, I will be
on board the West India steamer. Very respect
fully, HENRY HApDInG'
1t took no more to show what trick had been
played me- You may believe have seldom told
that love story"