The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-08-23
A DETECTIVES STORY.

It was dull, rainy day, toward the
end of August. One of those days when
earth and sky alike are dreary, and the
rain.drops pattering against the window
makes one feel so bad and lonely. The
clock that hung against the wall pointed
to the hour of three, when Mr.. Gordon,
our "chief," dark, silent, little man
entered the room.
"Wells," said he, "don't you feel
like having a little excitement just
noww
Of course / dad to say "yes."
81 want you to arrest Bill Siddons.
the forger," said Mr.. Gordon, "and be
was last heard of a. c.. You had
better start straight off at once"
My interest was aroased when told
Of the large reward / should obtain, and
readily undertook to ferret out the
forger.
The rosy dawn was just flashing the
Eastern sky as I alighted YEARLY from
the train and walked to the village hotel.
In answer to my inquiries, I was told
that with the exception Of young
lady, who had come the night before,
there we're no new arrivals.
At dinner time / sat opposite the
young lady in question, and noticed
that when she saw me come in she
smiled, and blushed rosy red. Her
dark brown eyes seemed to sparkle and
CLEAN with fun and mischief; her long
black hair, which she wore in curls,
seemed created but to hide her bushes.
But 1, being fair specimen of the
sterner sex, attributed all these little
smiles and glances to my personal ap-
pearance, and congratulated myself upon
having made an impression on such
beautiful creature.
Next day I prosecuted my search, but
all to no purpose, for nowhere could
gain Intelligence of the object Of my
pursuit. For one week I searched high
and low, but no Bill Siddons could /
find. All this time / had been stopping
at C., and had fallen deeply in love
with Clara Armstrong, for such was my
fair charmer's name, and also Hattered
myself that she looked favorably on me.
On the night before my departure for
the city, was sitting alone with Clara.
"And so," she said, "you leave us to-
morrow"
Isighed and said
"You will think of me sometimes,
Clara ?"
She smiled, blushed, and taking pair
of scissors from the table, she cut of one
of those glossy curls and handed it to
lme.
"Keep that" she said, "to remember
ae-by."
: Was 1 foolish to press it to my lips
before laying it next to my heart !
Clara smiled and said nothing. Evi-
Edently she did otthink me foolish.
The next morning arrived safely in
Ithe city, and hurried to the Office of the
t'chief," to report. AS was coming
out Of the Office / met Gus B. When
1 told him my adventure he laughed.
.sCharly," said he, "you are taken in
and done fer this time, sure"
l indignantly asked what he meant.
~ bet you the best supper 20 be got
in town that fetch Bill S;ddons in
three days."
"Doue |" said I, and Gus Immediately
sent to obtain leave o: absence.
The "chief" willingly let him 60, and
that night he started. Two days passed,
and on the third day, sure enough Gus
came.
"Well, what Luck ?" I asked, as
saw him come oat Of the ofice.
"The best in the world" he replied.
-"Come with me I will show you the
prisoner"
I followed him into one Of the strong
rooms, and there, sure enough, was the
prsSoueE, IeouIu& aSotHos sue "Ao"0"
He was standing With his back to the
door, but on hearing Us come in he
turned around.
"By Jupitsr~ said I, "Clara Arm
strong"
"The same, at your service" said
Bill Siddons, for it was he. 81 am much
obliged to you Dir. Wells, for your
politeness. Perhaps you would like
another lock Of my hair"
I stood dumbfouuded.
ga little too susceptible, Charley, my
boy-a lictle too susceptible, that's ALL
said Gus, and, seeing my discontinue,
be burst out laughing.
"Hang i'll" l muttered, and rushed
out of the room, vowing never to have
Iauythin more to do with females of any
description whatever.
~ s-rD Nru0ua ~