Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1868-09-18
A Detectives Experimental Touch Of
Romance

"IT was Just before the war;" said the
detective, "thst queer trick was played
me by young fellow accused OF forg-
cry"
"How was itY Let me hear the story"
"Well, have no objection, but don't
interrupt me with questions"
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 check for
*4OOO 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. II was a forg-
cry, 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 IL was sup
posed he had gone there before setting
| out elsewhere l could only learn that
he was very young and of rather effemi
nate appearance. This was all the de-
scription / could ascertain. The affair
had not been blown abroad, and the Chief
directed me to work up the case.' You
know that s. and / always work to-
gether. l called him and we had consul
tation. He prosecuted researches here,
while / went to the country. This ar
ranged l was soon on my way. / had
found out where the family of young
Harding lived, and had 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 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. l fastened
forward, therefore, looking eagerly around
for some place of shelter. had proceed
ed but little distance when l saw just
before me woodman's hut. l got into
this as soon as possible. / had hardly got
comfortably sheltered before gentleman
and lady dashed up to the door and dis
mounted. Like myself they were seek
ing shelter from the storm. The man
was middle'aged, and exhibited in his
person the strong athletic frame, the open
brow, and genial, pleasant face of the
Southern planter; but there was in his
countenance now a touch of sadness,
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 a
woman as a man could wish to live for,
and, if need be, die for They were both
in travelling costume, and, from their con-
versation,. judged they were father and
daughter, just setting out on journey, and
endeavoring to reach the river in time for
an up-going steamer. Shortly after their
arrival negro boy drove up in a 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.
l walked out of the hut and went around
to where 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 a year. My resolution
was taken on the instant I 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 as clear as day. 1 did
follow them to the river, where the daugh-
ter embarked on an upward-bound boat,
and the father returned home. l took
passage on the same steamer. l would
!,
she was going to her brother. insinu-
ated myself into her presence, and at last
got into conversation. l was one-half in
love with her already before we reached
ST. Louis / was wholly so. learned that
she was going to New York for some OBJ
ject she did not reveal. l 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 l would
have arrested him. / could not exist out
Of her presence. She had become the one
object necessary to my happiness. At last
we reached New York. l could contain
myself no longer. I sought an opportuni
ty and told her my love-told my name
occupation and present object-I reveled
everything; / only asked to share her af.
, fections. l would leave her until the next
day. This was the forenoon of Monday
Tuesday afternoon l called for an answer
The servant who answered my summons
informed me that the young lady had left
the evening previous on steamer for the
West Indies but she had left note.
tore open the letter eagerly. 1t contained
these words:
; "'SR-For your preference, l am much
; obliged; but the laws forbid gentlemen
marrying each other. BY the time this
reaches you, will be on board the West
India steamer. Very respectfully,
, HENRY HARDING
at took no more to show what trick
mad been played me. You may believe
have seldom told that love story."-Neat