Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-07-02
SOLD,
A DETECTIVES STORY.

"That is love sick couple over there"
he observed, indicating pair of rustics
that were just off on their bridal tour.
d" 1t reminds me of certain experience in
my life, which, until this moment, have
not alluded to for years"
"What was it?" Iasked. Something
rich | am sure, from your comical expires.
sion"
"Ycs, very rich. So rich, in fact, that
| was completely sold for nothing How.
ever, ! will give it to you and let you
judge"
When l was youngster Of one-and-
twenty was crazy to become a detective
| had read a great many stories and novels
where detectives figured conspicuously.
| had caught boys stealing apples, negroes
robbing hen roosts, and several other little
affairs, which gave me the idea that was
especially designed for that calling.
spoke to my father about it, but he laughed
at nc. However that did not discourage
me. l became acquainted with detec.
tive, and, though he was not as sanguine
of my success in the future, as 1 was, he
offered to assist me, became on very
friendly terms with him, and hope -four
ishcl finely for awhile.
"Wcll, my boy" he said to ME one day,
Il think there is something which you
may do. and if you accomplish it you will
earn Il five hundred dollar reward"
"What is it?" asked
a rich old merchant in Wis
being robbed continually and can make no
discovery as to who is doing it. lie came
to us to-day and offered five hundred dol.
lars if we would investigate the matter"
"Wcll," says |, iu'paticntly, "what do
you propose for me to do!
"Go down there disguised as farm
The has u farn,-and watch pro-
ccelings. There is but one person in the
house. his daughter, or an adopted daugh.
ter. beside himself aud an old servant"
went down. l carried private letter
of Introduction, which presented to the
! old gentleman. lie looked over it, and
then laid the whole case before ME. He
always brought the money from the store
Mt night, aud he always was robbed during
the night. How or by whom he had not
the least idea. was to watch and see if
| could find any clue to the mystery.
| was then introduced to his daughter,
as he called her, a rather plain looking
2irl, of some nineteen years of age. Her
father told her my business, aud she
treated me with a degree of familiarity
which she would not have extended to a
mere farm hand"
On the following day dashing, hand
some young lady came to visit Miss Kitty
She said she was young lady she had
net at boarding school, and thou ght very
much Of her. She introduced me, and,
at the very sight, Miss George Summers
bright eyes carried me captive.
The ola gentleman was annoyed at
Kitty having company at that time, but
did not like to make his annoyance known.
However" he said, I" it will not proba
bly, make much difference to the thief,
whoever it is, so we will have to endure
her"
found enduring her very pleasant work
Kitty left us together great portion of
the time, aud was not slow in embracing
the opportunity it presented. George
told me all her affairs. She was an or
phan. Had large property, held by her
uncle, who was her guardian until she
should become of age, unless she married
before that time.
at is wonderful you have not married
before this" said, and she answered.
IL never found any one liked, aud l did
not wish to buy my freedom too dearly"
That was a good opening for me. 1
told her how much loved her, and pro-
posed hasty marriage. At first she de-
INJURED, and then assented. Twas raptur-
Gus. was in luck. Only two days
more and | was to be the possessor of a
handsome wife and handsome fortune
l thanked the propitious star that ruled
over my destiny, and first gave me the
wish to become detective
Meanwhile, 1 had watched, and saw
enough to convince me that Miss Kitty
was the thief that was robbing her father !!
What her motive could be had not the
most remote idea, for she did not appear
to spend or dispose of one cent. l found
out the place where she kept it, and 1 de.
tcrmincd to let my secret be known to the
old man. made George my con6dant
She wept; she took on dreadfully.
"It is so horrible, Harry !" she said,
and have loved Kitty so! Promise
me one thing?"
"What is it !" said l
"That you will not make the disclosure
until after we are married tomorrow night.
Then can 90 away with you, and not
witness her grief"
OF course asseuted. What fellow in
love with such radiant creature could do
otherwise? Kitty was to know nothing of
our discovery. She was to 60 to tho little
brown church. mile away. with US. SEQ
us married, and then | should toll her
father of my discovery, shoy him the