The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1868-10-23
A DETECTIVES EXPERIENCE.
A Tet,cla Of Romance.

A Teu,ch Of Romance.
at WAS just before the war; said
the detective, "that queer trick was
played me by ayoung fellow accused
of forgery"
Mi0w WAS it? Let me hear the
story
"Wen, | have no objection, but
don't interrupt me with questions
"The Chief called me into the oilice|
one morning, and toldme that check
for $4,000 had been drawn by the
confidential clerk OF well-kDOw com
mercial house, and had been cashcd
ut the bank where their funds were
deposited. 1t was forgery, and
the clerk had left rs soon rs themon
ey WAS obtained. His name was Hen
ry Harding, his parents lived in one
of the interior parishes, and it was
supposed he had gone there before
setting out elsewhere. could only
learn that he was very young and oi
rather efleminate appearance. This
was all the description | could ascer-
tain. The affair had not been blown
abroad, and the Chief directed me ito
work up the case You know that
s. and | always work together.
| called him and VIC had 81 consulta
ton. represented researches here,
while went to the country. This
arranged l was soon on my way.
had found out where the family OF
young Harding lived, which | had
hoped to reach before night, but III
this l was disappointed. Long be
fore dusk, dark clouds began 20 form
along the edge of the horizon and
climb rapidly to the zenith. The
thunder and lightning came at inter
walls, and / was soon assured that
one of those semi-tropic storms,
which are so frequent in the summer,
would ere long burst upon me III Its
fury. hastened forward, therefore,
looking eagerly around for some
place of shelter. l had proceeded
but short distance, before | saw
just ahead, a wood-man's hut. | got
into this as soon as possible. ] had
hardly got comfortably sheltered, be-
fore a gentleman and lady dashed up
to the door and dismounted. Like
myself they were seeking shelter
from the storm, The man was mid
dle-aged, and exhibited in his person
the strong and athletic frame, the
open brow, and genial, pleasant face
Of the Southern planter, but there
was in his countenance now and then
a touch of sadness, a seemingly eX-
quisite 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 halr
black as night. She looked. indeed,
daughter of the tropics, and the
tall, splendid form was regal in Its
majesty. She was such woman as
man could wish to live for, and, II
need be, die for. They were both IN
travelling costume, and from their
conversation, Judged they were IA
ther and daughter, just setting out
on a journey, and endeavoring to
reach the river in time for an up-SO-
ing steamer. Shortly after their ar
rival u negro boy drove up in cart
containing trunks. On one of these
was the memo of Mrs. Harding, La
You may readily conceive that my
ewes were wide open, and my ears
too. Here was something that l
must needs observe. walked out
OF the hut and went round to where
the negro was standing. Boy,
where's your young master 2 l ask
ed the question abruptly, looking the
negro in the eye.
"sGolly, Massa, dis chile dunno +;
hain't seen him for mos a year
NV resolution was taken ON the in
slant. would follow these people.
| was satisfied they were in search OF
Henry. He could not come to them,
and they were going to him. The
whole matter WAS rs clear AZ day.
| did follow them to the river, where
the daughter embarked on an upWarl
4-vur1v f5uuu, vrrUr raVTicI Icsui ie''
home. l took passage on the same
steamer. | would not lose sight OF
the girl. / was satisfied she was go
ing to her brother. insinuated my
self into her presence, and at last got
into conversation. | was halfin love
with her already before we got to
St Louis was wholly so. L learned
she waa gong to New York for some
object she did not reveal. L thought
| knew what the object was; but Il
, had become of secondary importance
now, for 1 was deeply, Enthusiastically
in love. Had her brother stood
before me, and she had asked me tt
! forbear. it is doubtful If l shoult
T have arrested him. l could not eXls
out of her presence. She had become
the one object necessary to my hap
, piness. At last we reached New
, York, I could no longer contain
. myself. Isought an opportunity ant
told her my love--told my name, oc
!. cupation and present object. re
4 vealed everything; / only asked t.
. share her affections. / would leav
q her until the next day. This was th
a forenoon of Monday. Tuesday fore
a noon called for an answer. HI
! servant who answered my summon
, Informed me that the young lady ha
left the previous evening on steam
:; er for the West Indies; but she ha'
:, left a note. tore open the lette
. eagerly. 1t contained these words
- For your preference,
. am much obliged; but the laws fo
bid gentlemen marrying each othe
Ry the time this reaches you, WI
be on board the West India steame
y - Very respectfully,
IL - i--- HENRY HARDING"
IL at took no more to show what
m trick had been played me. You ma
lie believe / have seldom told that 10y
= story."-Ne1c Orleans Ptcay'ot6.
- III d, 10,