The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-07-27
A DETECTIVE STORY.
BY REBECCA FORBES.

I met with a strange, genial. laxative
old gentleman one day. who told me a
story which seems too good to be with
held from an appreciative public
s"That is love sick couple over there, F"
he observed, indicating pair of rustics
that were just off on their bridal tour
st reminds me of certain experience
in my life, which, until this moment,
have not alluded to for years. .
What was it ?" I asked. Some
thing rich am sure, from your comical
expression"
"Yes, very rich. So rich. in fact, that
I was completely sold for nothing.
However, I will give it to to you and let
you judge.
"When / was a youngster of one-and-
twenty l was crazy to become detec-
tive. l had read great many stories
and novels where detectives figured con-
spicuously. l had caught boys stealing
apples, negroes robbing hen roosts. and
several other little affairs, which gave me
the idea that I was especially designed
for that calling. l spoke to my father
about it, but he laughed at me. How
ever that did not discourage me. / be-
came acquainted with detective, and,
though he was not as sanguine of my
success in the future, as I was, he offer
ed to assist M. I became on friendly
terms with him. and hope fourished fine
ly for a while.
"Wel, 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 a five hundred dollar re-
ward
"What is it? I asked.
"a rich old merchant in W is
being robbed continually and can make no
discovery as to who is doing it. He came
to US to-day and offered five hundred
dollars if we would investigate the mat
ter
'Well," says I, impatiently, "what do
you propose for me to do2''
go down there disguised as farm
hand.-he has farm, and watch pro-
ceedings. There is but one person in the
house, his daughter, or an adopted
daughter, besides himself, and an old
servant"
went down. I carried private let
ter of introduction, which [ presented to
the old gentleman. He looked over it,
and then laid the whole case before me-
He always brought the money from the
store at night, and he always was robbed
at 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
girl, of some nineteen years of age. Her
father told her my business, and she
treated me with degree of familiarity
which she would not have extended to
mere farm hand"
On the following day a dashing, band
some young lady came to visit Miss
Kitty. She said she was young lady
she had met at boarding school, and
thought very much of. She introduced
me, and, at the very first sight, Miss
George Summers bright eyes carried me
captive.
The old gentleman was annoyed at
Kitty having company at that time, but
did not like to make his annoyance
known. However" he said, lit will
not probably 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 a great
portion of the time, and I was not slow
in embracing the opportunity it present.
ed. George told me all her affairs. She
was an orphan. Had large property,
held by her uncle, who was her guardian
until she should become of age, unless
she married before that time.
1T is wonderful you have not married
before this" said, and she answered.
II never found any one 1 liked, and |
did not wish to buy my Freedom too
dearly
That was good opening for me. I
told her how much | loved her, and pre-
posed hasty marriage. At first she de-
INJURED, and then assented. was rar-
turous. was in luck. Only two DAYS
more and | was to be the possessor of a
handsome wife and handsome fortune.
L thanked the propitious stars that ruled
over my destiny. and first gave Inc tie
wish to become detective.
Meanwhile, [ had watched, and I saw
enough to convince me that Miss KITTY
was the thief that was robbing her faith
er What her motive could be had
not the most remote ideas, for she did u.
appear to spend or dispose of one cent.
L found out the place where She kept it,
and [ determined to let my secret be
known to the old man. [ made Georgia
my confident. She wept; she took on
dreadfully.
1t is SO horrible, Harry ~ she said,
and l have loved Kitty so | Promise me
one thing ?"
''What is it?''
That you will not make the disclosure
until after we are married tomorrow
night. Then [ can go away with you.and
not witness her grief
Of course | assented. What fellow in
love with such radiant creature conld
do otherwise Kitty was to know moth