The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-09-09
THE MYSTERIOUS FRIEND.

IN the town of Catskill on the Hudson
IL River, there dwelt, some years ago, an
attorney Of the name Of Mason. He was
in considerable practice, and had two clerks
in his Office, whose names were Mansell and
Van Buren. In ability these young men
were nearly on par, but they differed
widely in disposition. Van Buren, was
cold, close, and somewhat sullen in temper;
but in business, shrewd, active and perse-
vering. Mansell, although assiduous in his
duties, was of gayer temperament open
as the day, generous, confiding and true.
Mason, without being absolutely dishon-
est, was what is called keen lawyer, his
practice being somewhat of the sharpest !;
and as the disposition of his clerk, Van
Buren, assimilated in many respects to his
own, he was great favorite-more init
mately in his confidence, and usually en-
ployed on those delicate matters which
sometimes occur in an attorneys business,
and in which the honesty of Mansell might
rather hinder than help.
Mason had niece, who, he being bach
elor, lived with him in the capacity of
housekeeper She was lively sensitive
and clever girl-very pretty, if not positively
handsome. She had the grace of sylph
and the step of fawn. 1t was natural
that such a maiden should be an object of
interest to two young men living under the
same roof; and by no means matter of
astonishment, that one or both of them
should fall in love with her; and both of
them did. But as the young lady had but
one heart, she could not retain the love of
each. In making her selection, the choice
fell upon Edward Mansell.
Matters went on this way for some time !;
a great deal of bitterness and rancor being
displayed by Mason and Van Buren, on the
one hand, while Kate and Edward Mansell
found in the interviews they occasionally
enjoyed, more than compensation for the
annoyance to which they were thus neces-
sarily exposed.
1t happened, at the time when Edwards
engagement was within month of it's ex-
piration, that Mason had received a sum of
money as agent for another party, amount
ing to nearly three thousand dollars of
which the greater portion was solid coin.
AS the money could not be conveniently
disposed of until the following day, it was
deposited in tin box in the iron safe, the
key of which was always in the custody of
Mansell. Soon after he received the
charge, Van Buren quilted the Office for
! short time, and in the interim an applica-
tion from a client rendered it necessary for
Mansell to go up to the courthouse. Hav-
ing despatched his business at the hall, he
returned with all expedition, and in due
time he took the key of his safe to deposit
therein, as usual, the valuable papers of
the Office over night-when to his incon-
ceivable horror, he discovered the treasure
was gone,
/ He rushed down stairs, and meeting Van
Buren,, communicated the unfortunate cir
cumstance. He, in turn, expressed his as
tonishment in strong terms, and indeed ex-
hibited something like sympathy in his
brother clerks misfortune. Every search
was made about the premises, and infor-
nation was given to the nearest magistrate
but as Mason was from home, and would
not return till the next day, little else could
be done. Edward passed a night Of intense
agony-nor were the feelings Of Kate more
envable. Mason returned some hours
earlier than was expected, and sent imme-
diately for Van Buren,, and was closeted
with him for long time.
Mansell, utterly incapacitated by the
overwhelming calamity which had befallen
him, from attending to his duties, was
walking, ignorant Of Mason's return, when
Kate came, or rather flew towards him,
and exclaimed
go Edward, my uncle has applied for
warrant to apprehend you and, innoce mt
though / know you are, that fend in hu-
man form, Van Buren,, has wound such
web around you, that dread the worst. /
have not time to explain; fly instantly, and
meet me at nightfall, in the DEVILS Hol-
low, when l will explain all.
Mansell, scarcely knowing what he did,
rushed out of the garden and through
some fields; nor did he stop till he found
himself out of town ON the banks of the
river. Then for the first time, he repented
of having listened to the well-meant but
unwise counsel of his dear Kate. But the
step was taken and he could not retrace it
now. He proceeded until he arrived at a
thick grove, in the vicinity of the DEVILS
Hollow, where he lay completely hid, until
night closed upon him.
Mansell returned and fingered ON the
skirts OF the grove, until the sound of a
| light footstep on the graveled path which
/ led to the place announced the approach of
/ the loved being whom he felt he was about
/ to meet for the last time. The poor girl
| could not speak word when they met, but
bowling her head upon his shoulder, burst
into flood of passionate tears. BY degrees
she became more calm, and then detailed
TO him conversation she had overheard
I between Van Buren, and her uncle and
\ gathered thence that the former has sue
ceeded In convincing Mason of Edwards
guilt, by an artfil combination Of facts
which would have made primG facie case
against the accused-the most formidable
one being the finding Of q considerable sum
of specie in Mansell's trunk. Knowing
! that he could not satisfactorily account for