Middletown transcript., 1869-11-27
MDDIETowN COUNTY MORNING NoYEMBE

with the demon laugh connecting them,
set US to thinking, A whole year we
agonized over the dreadful problem, and
then we received another message, which
you shall see." ..,.. 3 81
He thrust second slip Of paper, iden-
tical In shape and appearance with the
first, before the gaze of DR.. Hutton, who
read it aloud:
"August 9, 1856. Hour Jessie stu iires,''
The physician started as if electrified.
"Ah! this is something defnite--some-
thing decisive" he muttcred. "It con-
vinced you that your daughter was still
living"
eyes, DOCTOR" said Mr.. Preble, "and
every anniversary of that day has brought
us some message The disappearance Of
the child, mysterious as it is, does not
seem to me half SO strange as that the vii
lain who took her away could contrive to
communicate with US every year aimee, and
always on a particular day-the anniyersa-
ry of that on which she was stolen-with-
out our being able to discover who he is.
And still greater wonder to me is what
can be his motive. 1t seems incredible.
Ii it was stated in novel many people
would not believe it. But, truth is stran-
ger than felton, ;" res si.s
| Mrs. Preble drew from her husband 8
breast-pocket his note book, opened it to
the proper page, and presented it to the
| physician. 5.,.,
DR.. Hutton adjusted his spectacles,
glanced over the page, and then slowly
read the group of entries aloud. The en-
try the first year is as follows:
| "August 0, 1855. Jessie, ha, ha I Jessier 5.s
And the next year it Is
August O., 1885, Four Jessie still liresi' n
| And the next
dAugust ., 1857. She is in good Aand.r'
And the next ~ !. -
"Augpst 9, 1858. She is wcH as eper ~
And the next
"August 9, 1859. Isav her yesterday"
And the next , ..
| "August 9, 1860. She isgrosoing ropillyP
And the next
"August 9, 1861. She continues to do iceuP'
And the next
"August 9, 1862. I'ps seen her againP'
And the next
| "Apgpst 8, 1863. She's becoming ,comanF'
| And the next
"August 9, 1864. Your child is MirteenF'
| And the next
"August o, 1865. She's lovelier than eperp p'
| And the next ... r.r71.
"Augnste 0, 1866. She's really charming P' p
And the next
| "'Augpst 9, 1867. Ny REGARD 10 a, hapdp'
And what shall We get to-day
The physician looked up and fixed his
thoughtful gaze upon the bereaved husband
and wife.
"How did these messages come to you?"
he demanded,
Invariably by post" replied Mr.. Pre-
BILE. Usually to the house, but some
times to the oficer'
"And you have never seen their au-
thor2" as
"Neverp' @
1.-THE last of them is dated, | see, year
ago to-dayT'
eyes, yes" faltered the banker, "and
the time has come for another message.
This is the 9th of August, 1851"
II see," said DR.. Hutton. "And this
is the secret of your terrible excitement
You are expecting to receive to-day anoth-
er of these strange messages
| There was brief silence, Mrs. Pre-
ble's hand futtered in its task, and her
face grew very pale. The banker breath
ed gaspingly. The physician regarded
them both in friendly sympathy.
"We shall hear of her again to-day"
said Mr.. Preble; ''and what will the mes
sage be n
The mother averted her face. Her brave
heart faltered as that question echoed in
her SOUL a-
"The writer of these letters is unques-
tionably the abductor of your child |" said
DIR. Hutton. "Havo you any suspicion
as to his identity p Ys
''Not the slightest" said Mr.. Preble.
"We have puzzled over the problem for
many years, but we cannot guess who he
is.o
"Think," said the doctor. "Havc you
no enemy? l do not mean people With
whom you are not friendly stirring
man has plenty Of thess-but downright
enemyi Is there no man whom you knew
in the East who hated yout No one a.
gainst whom you were called upon to tes-
tify-no one whom you possibly iniured?''
The banker shook bis head. He had
asked himself these questions repeatedly.
''I have no such enemy, DOCTOR" he
answered with sincerity Of voice and man
ner. sa tset'i
'fAnd Mrs. Preble?' suggested the doc
tor, turning to her. "Have you no re-
jected suitor who might be reyengeful
enough to desolate your home ~ 3.
mo" said the lady. 81 was married
early. Morton was my first loyer!" u
This is strange-very strange !" NUT
tered the doctor. ssYon are not conscious
of having an enemy in the world. and yet
you laye an nenemy--a hidden foe--a fiend
in human form--whoi is working out against
you fearful hatredl And yop have not
/ the slightest suspicion as to whom he is?'
"Not the slightest" declared the ban
ker.. s.,.-9 IA - aysisg4ss saT
...Not the slightest echoed Mrs. Pre-