Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1868-11-05
A DETECTIVES EXPERIENCE,

Of forgery
"How was ~ Let me hear the
story"
oTho chief called me into tho Office
one morning, and told me that check
for one thousand dollars had been
drawn by the confidential clerk Of a
well-known commercial house, and
had been cashed at the bank where
their funds were deposited. 1t was a
forgery, and the clerk had left as soon
as the money was obtained. His
name was Henry Harding his pa
rents lived in one of the interior par
ishes, and it was supposed he had
gone there before setting out else
where. ! could only learn that he
was young and of efleminate appear
ance. / was soon on my way. l
had found out where the family Of
young Harding lived, and l hoped to
reach the house before night, but in
this | was disappointed. Long before
dark, clouds began to form along the
verge OF the horizon, and climb rapid
ly TO the zenith. The thunder and
lightning came at intervals, and l 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.
81 had proceeded but a little dis
tanoe when / saw before me a wood.
mans hut. | got into this as soon as
possible. / had hardly got comforta-
bly, sheltered before a gentleman and
lady dashed up to the door and dis
mounted. Like myself, they 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 face of the
Southern planter; but there was in
his countenance now touch of sad.
ness, a seemingly equisite sense Of
sorrow. His companion was a young
girl of exquisite beauty, with dark,
soulful eyes, and hair 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 if need be, to die for,
They were both in travelling costume,
and from their conversation / Judged
they were father and daughter, just
setting out on a journey, and endeav-
oring to reach the river in time for an
up-going steamer. Shortly after their
arrival a negro boy drove up with a
cart containing trunks. On one OF
these was the name Of "Mrs. Harding,
La" My resolution was taken on the
instant. would follow these people.
| took passage on the same steamer.
l would not lose sight of the girl.
was satisfied she was going to her
brother. Iinsinuated myself into her
presence, and at last got into conver-
sation. | was one-half in love with
her already; before we reached st.
Louis, l was wholly so. 1 learned
that she was going to New York for
some object she did not reveal. i'm
agined l knew what the object was ;
but it had become of secondary i'm
portance now, for | was deeply in love.
cat last we reached New York.
could contain myself no longer.
sought an opportunity and told her of
my love-told my name, occupation
and present object l revealed every
thing; l only asked to share her affec-
tions. She seemed greatly agitated,
and asked that would leave her un-
til the ncxt day. This was in the
forenoon, and the next day called
for my answer. The servant who
answered my summons informed me
that the young lady had left the eve
ming previous on a steamer Tor the
West Indies; but she had left a note.
l tore open the letter eagerly. II
contained these words
"SR-For your preference i am
much obliged, but the laws forbid gen.
tlemen marrying each other. By the
time this reaches you, l will be on
board the West India steamer. Good
bye. HENRY HARDING
N.,r n~I..