Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-02-13
back into his corner, and was once
more taking mental note of every
thing that he saw and heard.

back into his corner, and was once
more taking mental note of every
thing that he saw and heard.
II.
TO the surprise of the neighbors,
David Birch had not taken down
his shutters though it was nearly IL
o'clock; such neglect Of business
had never occurred beferc within
their remembrance. But a greater
marvel still was the circumstance of
the old man himself being dressed
in his best black suit, which he on
ly wore on important occasions. It
was clear that he was going to keep
holiday that day, and that some
thing unusual had happened. They
would have been convinced of this
if they had penetrated the little back
parlor and heard the old man talk
ing in lis unwonted flow Of spir-
its.
"Put on thy best gown, Polly, and
wear it in honor of the good fortune
that is coming to us; thou shalt be
dressed in silks, my bonny little
one."
"I would rather you gave some
of the money to Nellie Birch grand
father"
A shade crossed his face. eyes,
give it to her to support her idle
brother-not a shilling. 1t is
enough that the will gives it to him
after my death, more the pity; if l
could keep it from him l would"
"Oh grandfather"
81 tell thee l would; but don't
talk about him, child. l do not
want to be angry just when Pm 60
ing to carry my good news to Jacob
Moss"
cam l to open shop, grandfath.
er?"
"Do just as it suits thyself, child;
we shall be rich enough not to care
for the shops"
While talking he consulted his
large silver watch, which tor antiq.
uity and size might have been the
patriarch fthe entire race of watch.
| cs.
III shall be back before nine, Pol
ly; and perhaps Tom Bartlett may
drop in an hour with YOU"
81 hope not, for l don't want to
SEQ him."
"Ah, that's the perverse way of
girls; but never mind, l dare say
thou wilt look much higher than
Tommy now;" and he chuckled as
he kissed her round, dimpled cheek,
leaving her to take care ofthe feath-
cred songsters and herself, the
brightest things that the place could
| show.
| missing, since the cad inst. an old man named
| David Birch, dressed In black: height about five
| leet three inches; gray hair; thin. lie left home
with the intention of visiting friend at Fulham.
| and has not since been heard OF. reward Of
twenty pounds will be paid to any one giving in
formation that may lead to his discovery"
So ran the advertisement which
was going the rounds of the leading
papers, and being repeated in large
printed plscards on the walls of the
police stations. In the immediate
neighborhood of the bird.shop there
was much excitement and conster-
nation at the old mans mysterious
disappearance, mingled with lively
sympathy for the distress Of his
granddaughter, whose pale face
and swollen eyelids told how she
had watched and wept. None were
more dcmonstrative than Tom Bart
lett, who kept lowering about her
in spite Of her visible shrinking
from him, persistently pressing his
services as though he alone had the
right to act for her. Mean ime, the
day appointed by the lawyers for
entering into arrangements with
their client respecting the fortune
Of which he had unexpectedly come
into possession by the death Of
brother abroad, had come and gone.
The perplexed legal firm acting in
the interest Of their client, institu-
ted rigorous search, but without
success. The friend, Jacob Moss,
u feeble old man, had been duly
communicated with, and keenly
cross-examined. David Birch had
paid his visit on the day named, ar,
rived, as far as the old man could
recollect, about half.past two, and
starting on his return journey about
dusk. Here the clue was lost. Thus
the days went by without throwing
any light on the old mans fate, and
poor Polly, worn with great ankle.
ty, often cried herself to sleep.
"Oh, Nellic-Nellie You don't know
what has happened!"
1t was with these words that John
Birch suddenly presented himself to
his sister, tall, dark-eyed girl, who
might have been taken rs softened
likeness of himself. She was bust.
ly at work when he came in, but on
the first glance of his agitated face,
she dropped her needle and rose
hurriedly.
"Oh, John! What IS the matter?"
"Uncle David has been missing
from home since the 23d Of last
month, and no one can tell what has
become Of him"
"Missing from home, John! why,
it was only last week that we heard
he had fortune left him by his
brother"
eyes, that's true enough, Nellie;
and l heard that it comes to me af-
ter his death. The lawyers are
seeking him everywhere. But think
of poor Polly being IN all this trou-
BILE, and us never to know it. 1t
seems rs if that odd job of work in
the country came on purpose to take
me out of her way; and you are so
moped up here that you never hear
anything" he added, fretfully.
John, I'll put on my things and
20 to her at once if You think / can
do any good"
eyes, Nell, l think you may. !
always like to have you by me when
| I'm in trouble. / would 10 mvself.