The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-02-06

A
It Is no wonder, then, that, knowing al
| this, should be startled to see the adveI
| tisement. It had for me the horrible fas
cination of the snake. I knew that out o.
| it would spring misery and trouble unend
| ing, and vet could not take my eyes oil
| il. The ten years interval shrunk up in.
| to q dream-time, and the feeling was as II
had at that moment heard the stewards
voice g He's not there, sir" 1t upset me
| for the day. / could do nothing. tried
to write-to read. Wherever I went OF
whatever did, 1 heard the words in my
ear: He's not there, sir"
The next day my presentiments of evil
were stronger than ever; l seemed pressed
upon by a weight under which l could
scarcely crawl could see nothing but a
dull, leaden hue on every object, and hear
through every sound: Hes not there,
sir" I knew myself as innocent of his
death as if I had never seen him; but
that unhappy quarrel l felt would again
point suspicion at me, and all the disgrace
and misery of a public trial would fall
upon me. ' 5@ -
I had not long to wait the fulfllment of
my prophetic feelings. About fortnight
after the date of the advertisement, was
waited on by an extremely polite person,
who said, have called to settle this little
account of Messrs. Wilson Brothers. Will
you give me receipt?'
sat at the desk, wrote out the receipt,
and signed it; heloOked over my shoulder
all the time. When had turned the line
under my name, and put the dot at the end,
he touched me on the shoulder, and said !:
" I thought SO. I arrest you for the MUIR
der of James Smithson."
"You know l shall have to repeat all
you say, so don't say anything. How's
business in these parts? They're rather
dull in New York" E l-
1 was stunned; made no answer.
"How will you go? Quietly, sup
pose-most gentlemen do, but just as
you please;' and he pulled out of his
pocket a pair of handouts, and opened
his coat to show the butt of his revolver.
Its much pleasanter travelling without
these" ta1
/" Yes, yes I'll go quietly enough, only
l want an hour or two to arrange my at
fairs here"
"Oh, certainly; only you must pay the
excess fare-Uncle Sam doesn't allow ex-
press fares on these occasions. l see can
trust you and mind l leave my reputation
with you. will call for you for the five
o'clock express. You can settle your
affairs, and look over your papers, and I'll
go and see your town. Don't forget five
o'clock" snd he left.
The blow had fallen: was hit. All
the little wealth had collected was to go
to defend my life. 1 called on my solicit
tor, and told him about 1t.
Awkward, very, for you were rising
mana very rising man." @ =
q am as innocent" 20 G Ig
ooh, of course, my dear fellow; every
body is. But Pm thinking how we'd best
administer the estate for you. If 1t gets
wind, you'll have more difficulty in getting
in your money. What's the amount out
twenty thousand dOllars?"
About that-say twenty-five"
"Well, cell them I'll find you buyer
for the whole concern for, say ten thou
sand dollars in hard cash. You can leave
it with me, and I'll see what can be done
for you. Come back here at four, and I'll
have the papers ready"
Ten thousand is rather small for
twenty-five clear surplus"
Well, as you like; name your lowest,
and I'll see what can be done; only re-
member, you've but four hours to do it in,
and don't put it too high. Tomorrow
morning your surplus will be, as far as
your chance of getting it is concerned,
very small indeed"
"Well, get twelve If you can; If not,
ten; and let me see you in New York"
fright you are: I was going for my
recess to that very place, and now I'll COM
bine business and pleasure. Call at four,
mind"
l went to my lodging house, and aston
ished my worthy landlady not little by
giving her child rather extravagant
necklace, and telling her was going away
for few days. and would write to her
about my rooms. Then / wandered wear
lily back to the Office, told the clerk that
must leave, and had sold the business, and
would introduce the purchaser that after
noon; and then 1 sat with my head upon
my hands, and my elbows on my knees,
utterly broken.
l was Interrupted by visitor, big
black wlnskered and bearded fellow,
dressed like a river pilot.
Excuse me, sir; your names Rydon--
Gilbert Rydon? ?"
Yes; what then2"
:" made SO bold, sir" he said, drawing
his chair close to mine, to tell you I've
heard about ii"
Well, what then? How?"
was in Lawyer Shepherds Office
when you was talking inside, and heard
all you said. The carpenters about here
use the stuff SO green that the joints cape
enough to put your finger through in a
month or SO, and saw you and heard all
you said"
What, then? Are you come to beg p
No; I've come to give you hint as to
how to lessen your difficulties, though.
You're going to have ten thousand dollars
this afternoon at four p
Yes"
well, then, If were you and he
drew his chair close to mine, and put his
hand to his mouth and to my ear" I'd
"What?"
"Slopel"
ESCAPED Yes, would would escape.
My WEAKNESS left me- would escape. /
sprang up, and wrung his hand "Good
God | never thought of it,"
81 thought not, by your talk with the
lawyer; but down IN Texas or Oregon,
you'd be as safe as possible. You must
start at once. Pll give you letter to a
brother of mine in Minnesota County,
Texas: he'll show you the rays of the
place"
hurried off with him, went to the So
icitor's, and told him.
1.-THE best thing you eau do" said he
" for though you're limo cent, it's hardly
worth while running the risk and, as this
good fellow says, in Texas you'll be safe
it will all blow over, and you can begin
again"
went 10 the Office, got my trunk, and
then to the railway station with my new
friend. 1t was 4:30, and the train started
at 4:00. 1t never struck me, such was my
delight st the idea of escape, to inquire
in nae he evidently did. l sat in the wait
inn OF 70 ko