Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1874-01-22

Ii was supposed that the virulence OF the
disorder and its speedy termination pre-
vented him from making known any
thing respecting his property. He was
accustomed always to travel with nus
precious merchandise carefully concealed
in hooks and corners among his baggage;
and on this last voyage his purchases
must have been of unusual value, and
were either stolen or so carefully con-
cealed that they were never discovered.
nor have they ever been found from that
day to this"
"How was it known that he had bought
anything of importance?"
"Grandfather went to Holland express
ly to trace out some indication of the
whereabouts of his brothers missing for
tune. He found that the whole of the
large amount of money which Stephen
Carr had taken abroad with him had
been drawn out one day about a week
before he sailed for home. He also dis
covered that he had dealings with man
named Nicholas Leerjen, a dealer in brio
a. brac and jewelry, who had shop on
the Boompies; but this Leerjen, on being
sturdily denied that any
transaction of importance had ever taken
place between himself and MIR. Carr, who
had bought from him, he averred, moth
ing but an antique silver salver, which he
described minutely; and as such a salver
had been found among the effects of the
deceased, there seemed no reason to doubt
the Dutchman's word. So, after spend
ing some weeks in fruitless inquiries and
our grandfather was forced
to return home no wiser and no richer
than when he had set out
Now comes the strangest part OF thf
story. A short time after grand
fathers return home, which was very
speedily accomplished, the vessel he came
in being an American clipper and the
winds favorable all the way, he was awak
ened one night by my grandmother, who
declared that she heard some one break
ing into the house. Ny grandfather list.
ened, and was soon convinced that her
suspicious were correct; so he threw on
a dressinl gown, loaded his pistols, and
softly unbarring his door stepped stealth
lily out into the passage. He heard foot
steps proceeding up the stairs to an upper
room which had been his brothers. He
with noiseless tread, and on
reaching the door of that apartment he
saw, by the faint glimmer of dark Ian
tern, man on his knees before Stephen
Carr's trunk (Which still contained all the
articles that had been brought from
abroad), and engaged in forcing the lock.
Some sound which he made attracted the
attention of the rObber, who sprang up
and rushed upon him; but our GRANDPA.
ther, who was not easily thrown of his
guard, presented his pistol full at his adj
vancing assailant and fired, and the man
fell TO the ground"
"Was he killed outright?"
unfortunately, yes; the bullet had
passed through his head. i say untortun.
ately, rs with him died the last hope Of
the missing property; for on
the would be robber proved
to be no other than Nicholas Leerjen, the
Dutch shopkeeper."
"And his motive? What could have
been his reason for committing such a
crime?n
"Do you not see," said Patience, that
our grand uncle must have purchased
from him some exceedingly valuable
gems, and that he, being apprised by. my
grandfathers inquiries that the where
abouts Of this purchase was unknown,
and being also probably aware OF its
place Of concealment, had made des.
perate attempt to gain possession OF
1t ?"
az see. I wonder what really did be-
come of itf'
"Father came TO the conclusion that ii
must have been stolen from mis- brothers
trunk on board the ship, after his death.
But he always kept the trunk ana its con-
tents very carefully, and enjoined on me
to do the same, though 1t has been ran
sacked again and again, and every
article it contained thoroughly examin-
ed"
"And where is it now?"
"Up stairs in the little third story back
room. Don't you remember ia middle
sized sole-leather trunk, with =. c.
marked on it?"
81 tell you what, Patience" ! said,
springing up, ~ mean TO have look at
the contents of that trunk early tomorrow
"What nonsense, Addiel Don't l tell
you that everything in it has been thor
oughly examined hundreds of timesY"
"Well, then, it will do no hurt TO ex-
anime them the several hundred.and-
oneth time. But was not that ring at
my bell? Yes, indeed! Here comes my
trunk, Patience. | want to show you my
Christmas gifts, and / have knit you such
a pretty shawl" And in the uDpacking
and examination Of my little stock OF
treasures the remainder of the evening
passed away, and there was no further
question of Stephen Carr or his lost jew
els. But had not relinquished my pur-
pose, and as soon as the breakfast things
were put away the next morning, / as
sailed Patience anew: "Where is the key
of Stephen Carr's trunk | know you
mean To be closeted with Nora for an hour
at least, experimenting the stufhng OF that
turkey; so, unless you wish me 10 die OF
ennui during your absence, you might as
well let me amuse myself after my own
own fashion"
Curiosity, thy name is-Adelaide
Carl" laughed Patience as she went TO
her desk To look for the key. "Here ii is.
And put on shawl, Addie; there Is no
fire in the room, and do not want you TO
catch cold"
"And If find the fortunew
Bring it down stairs and show 1t TO
me; that is, if it is not too heavy for you
to carry"
So Patience disappeared laughing in
the direction Of the kitchen, and i has
tined to put on my heavy cloth travelling
sacque, and made the best Of my way to
I'D atxsr han oh a liffl9 61nUV