The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-09-07

Mourns them 10 Echo, listening child Of air.
e-s-----e----s-~--------
WHATISAWF FROM Ny WINDOW
1t was a strange scene-and yet there
was nothing startling about it. L could
not tell why my eyes were rivited to the
SPOT. Probably, said TO myself, it can
only be accounted for by some occult
psychological reason, and | will simply
watch, aud endeay0r not to wonder. My
library Is situated in the third story
Darkroom Of an ordinary built house, in
the neighborhood Of the Heights, aud it
Is here | spent hour after hour 10 work
and Study-someiimes as the light fades
from the sky. drawing near the window
with nay b0oi, or writing, and semi Oc-
casionally glancin@ at the backs Of the
houses opposite. The house whose gar
den adjoins ours has always been an Oh
ject OF interest to me, ever since L moved
into the neighbOrhu0d, On account of an
old gentleman who WAS to be seen i'll his
library at almost any hour Of the day.
lie seemed to be az interchangeable work
er, and was generally at his post long
before [ was. This old gentleman grew
to be very entertaining TO me, and /
came to miss INN very much when for
any reason he was absent from the Ii
brary. The time above alluded to was
early in the evening in the latter part OF
February. Fly neighbor had gone from
book case to book case, and drawer to
drawer, arranging and putting away, and
at last | noticed or thought | saw him
lock the drawers OF his desk and put the
key in his pocket. Soon after ] heard
the ring of their toa-bell, and watched
the old gentleman walk out OF the room.
What was the reason that even then |
could not withdraw my gaze? There was
nothing particularly inviting about the
apartment now that It's occupant had
gone. but still | could not help looking.
The gas was burning very dImly, and |
could just make out the different articles
of furniture. assisted little by the light
OF q very pleasant CRATE fire. AS | watch
ed, : figure clad n white came witty IN
alta door at the right. a cold, nervous
tremor took full possession OF me. Not
that | thought there was anything ruper-
natural about the vision, l knew better
for | Immediately recognized the form
and dress Of a lady L had noticed in the
garden cnly an hour or two before but
/ cid not know that her presence in that
room at that particular time meant mis-
chief and woe unulterable. | knew that
her feet made no noise as she moved
hastily about. going over nearly the same
route that the old gentleman had travel
ed only few moments previous
Drawer after drawer she ransacked-
lifting lids, examining pigeon holes;
and finally, after d second spent In look
ing over the conteutS of the old gentle
man 5 desk, | saw her grasp what APP
peared to me to be a small box or casket,
close and lock the drawer, and then way
ing her hands aloft, with a singular tri-
umphant gesture, hurry from the ROOM
That this young woman had been guilty
OF theft | was perfectly aware also, |
felt sure-she was some near ieiatlye Of the
proprietor Of the mapsion and more
than all did [ realize that the fearful
consequences OF this work would react
upon an innocent and formerly highly
esteemed member OF the household. How
did L know this? Perhaps | reasoned
from cause and effect without really being
aware that such was the case. Perhaps,
being let to see this strange performance,
/ was peculiarly acted upon as to the re-
suit. Howevet that might be, ii seemed
that the troubled future OF that family
was thoroughly daguueotyped upon my
heart. After I while the old gentleIna
entered the library, followed by an elderly
lady took to toe his wife; then young
genteman-I had often noticed him be-
tore-aad lastly of ali the lady IN " hite,
with a wide scarlet sash and neok-ribbon.
Soon after young woman, whom / lad
also often seen IL the garden, apparently
the goveruess, * She always had Il curly
headed little boy hy her side, entered.
leading the urchiu, I ! the sole purpose.
It would seem Of bidding them all good
ME no old ~. 4 Es,- l.. 1
his arms and 0art>se3 MIN for a while.
and after short ,loHc with each one he
was led oil by his goyeruess. Then the
young gentleman drew down the shades,
and | saw 10 more chat NIGHT 1t was
some time before | coIi!c! sufficiently ban
lsh the occurrence to sleep, and the first
thought upon waking the next morning
was the strange scene of the. previous
evening. My first glance at my neigh
Dor ) library was sufficient TO assure ME
that the theft was discovered. The old
gentleman, with his hands clasped be-
HAD him, paced slowly UP and down the
apartment. lis wife, assisted by the
young woman who had ransackea every
nook and corner the night before. went
through the farce Of examination. The
Old gentleman was evidently too grievrd
and stunned 10 join IN the search. Dur
ing the forenoon the young goyernesS en-
tered, having to all appearance been sent
Tor, for the purpose Of questioning. For
a moment she stood, i appeared to me,
in silent wonderment; then advanced
quickly to the center Of the loom and
confronted the old gentleman. The little
boy ran into the library, and caught her
By the hand. The owner OF the white
rohe-this morning she was dressed in 5
white neriao wraDper faced with cherry.
aud cherry t.immlDgs-arose from her
chair by the library table, and with an
lmperlous gesture, perfectly observable
from my distance even, tarew the child
away iro2s the side eli its com anion.
Then the Door girl bid her f;.ce in her
handkerchief and left the room. 1t was
plain then as the sun at midday. Tie
gouetReSs Rad been accused oftke hefi,
What was my duty in the premises.
When | took into consideration that /
had not heard a whisper spoken. did not
know what had been stolen, and had only
the pictures Of the different scenes to