Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-01-29

So ran the advertisement which was
going the rounds of the leading papers,
and being repeated in large printed pla-
cards on the walls Of police stations In
the immediate neighborhood of the bird
shop there was much excitement and
CONSERVATION at the old mans mysterious
disappearance, mingled with lively sym
pathy for the distress of his granddaugh-
ter, whose pale face and swollen eyelids
told how she had watched and wept.
None were more demonstrative than Tom
Bartlett, 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. Meantime, the day appointed by
the lawyers for entering into arrange
ments with their client respecting the for
tune of which he had unexpectedly come
into possession by the death of brother
abroad, had come and gone. Tie per-
picked legal firm, acting in the interest OF
their client, instituted a rigorous search,
but without success. The friend, Jacob
Moss, afeeble old man, had been duly
communicated with and keenly cross
examined. David Birch had paid his visit
on the day named, arriving, 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 grief and anxiety, often
cried herself TO sleep.
| ".
ooh! Nellie-Nellie! You don't know
what has happened"
It was with these words that John
Birch had suddenly presented himself tc
| his sister, a tall, dark-eyed girl, who
| might have been taken as a soltened like
ness of himself. She was busily at work
when he came in, but on the first glance
at his agitated face she dropped heI
needle and rose hurriedly.
ooh, 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, II
was only last week that we heard he had
fortune left him by his brother"
| eyes, that's true enough, Nellie; and
hear that it comes to me after his death
The lawyers are seeking him everywhere
| But think of poor Polly being in all this
| trouble, and us never to know it. 1t just
seems as if that odd job of work in the
country came on purpose to take me out
Of her way; and you're so mOped up
here that you never hear anything" he
added, lretfully.
''John, I'll put on my things and go to
her at once, if you think | can do any
good"
eyes, Nell, I think you may. [ know
I always like to have you by me when
I'm in trouble. | would go myself, but
I'm forbidden the house. You remember
what l told you of my quarrel with the
old man. | wish to heaven those i'll
| words had not passed between u.s.
At that moment there was a sound o.
heavy footsteps on the stairs, followed by
| a smart rap at the door Nellie went t
| open it, but started back at the sight o
| two policemen on the threshold.
"Does John Birch live here?"
eyes, | am John Birch,' the young
man called out; what do you want will
me?"
"Come this way and III tell you"
| mo, tell me here"
The officer glanced compassionately a
| Nellie's white face as he answered, "Well
| if you don't mind the young woman hear
ing, you're our prisoner"
"Your prisoner! Impossible! on wha
charger"
81 dare say you know well enough
There's been a body found by the river
and it's thought there's been some fou
play"
"WhOse body?"
''David Birch's, the bird fancier, that
been missing lately"
"My uncle!" gasped John.
Exactly. You're our man. You'v
had quarrel with him, and you're arrest
ed on suspicion. We got the clue from
Thomas Bartlett"
'Bartlett!" The young carpenter re
peated the name with groan, and stag
| gered against the wall, adding, May Co
forgive him this wickednessp'
| At the same moment his sister threw
herself on his neck with a cry that thrilled
those who heard it.