The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1868-10-14
ADE7EC7ITE s EII'ERLENCE.
A TOUCH OF ROMANCE.

1t was just before the war;" said
the detective, " that queer trick was
played opon me by young fellow ac-
cused of fargery." .. .f.
GLOW was it, let me hear the story"
"Well, Z have no objection, but don't
interrupt me with questions" rt .3,
The reporter promised silence, and
the detective elevated his feet to the
table and thus proceeded;
"The Chief called me into the Office
one morning and told me that a check
for $4,000 had been drawn by the con-
idential clerk Of a well known CONNER
cial house and had been cashcd at the
bank where their funds were deposited :.
1t was forgery, and the clerk had left
as soon as the money was obtained. His
name was Henry Harding, his parents
lived in one of the interior parishes, and
it was supposed he had gone there be-
fore setting out elsewhere. / could only
learn that he was young aud of rather
efeminate appearance. This was all
the description | could ascertain The
affair had not been blown abroad, and
the Chief directed me ITO work up the
case" You know that S. and i
always work together. 1 called him and
we had consultation. lie prosecuted
researches here, while l went to the
country. This arranged was soon on
my way. had found out where the
family OF young Harding lived, and ]
hoped to reach the house before night,
but in this was disappointed. Long
before dusk, dark clouds began to form
along the verge of the horizon and
climb rapidly to the zenith. The thun.
der and lightning came at intervals, aud
| was soon assured that one of these
semi-tropic storms, which arc so frequent
in the summer, would ere long burst
upon me in its fury. l fastened for
ward, therefore, looking eagerly around
for some place of shelter. l had not
proceeded but little distance when I
saw just before me woodman's hut. |
got into this as soon as possible. l had
hardly got comfortably sheltered before
a gentleman aud lady dashed up to the
door and dismouuted. Like mysef they
we're seeking shelter from the Storm
The man was middle aged, and txhib-
tied in his person the strong athletic
frame, the open brow, and genial pleas,
ant face of the Southern planter but
there was in his countenance nova touch
of sadncss,a 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 as night. She looked indeed a
daughter OF the tropics, and the tall,
splendid form was regal in its majesty
She was such woman as a man could
wish to live for, and, if need be die for.
They were both in travelling custom. and
from their conversation | judged they
were father and daughter, just setting
out on a journey, and endeavoring to
reach the river in time for an up7going
steamer. Shortly after their arrival a
negro boy drove up in 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 | must needs observe. |
walked out Of the hut ana went around
to whore the negro was standing, '::Boy
where's your young master| l asked
the question abruptly, looking the negro
in the eye.
"Golly, massa,dis chile dunno; hain't
seen him for mos year" My resolu-
ton was taken on the instant. l would
follow these people. | was satisfied that
they were in search of Henry. lie could
not come to them, and they were going
to him. The whole matter was as clear
as day. l did follow them to the river,
where the daughter embarked on an up.
ward bound boat and the father returned
home. | took passage on the same
steamer. would not lose sight of the
gill. was satisfied she was going to
her brother. ipsinuated myself into
her presence and at las got into CONVEX
sation. | was one half in love with her
already; before We reached st. Louis
was wholly so, learned that she was
going to New York Tor some reason she
did not reveal. | thought l new what
the object was but it had become of
secondary Importance now, for 1 was
deeply, Enthusiastically in love. Had
her brotqer stood before me, and she
had asked We to forbear, it is doubtful
if would have arrested him- l could
not exist out of her presence. She had
become the object necessary to my hap
piness. At last we reached New York.
l could contain myself no longer.
sought an oppor tunity and told her OF
my !ove-tOld my name, occupation, and
present object i revealed eyrrvthinr