Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-01-22

strange 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. My grandfather list,
ened, and was soon convinced that her
suspicious were correct; so he threw on
a dressink 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
followed 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 off his
guard, presented his pistol full at his adj
vancing assailant and fired, and the man
fell to the ground.n
''Was he killed outright"
unfortunately, yes; the bullet had
passed through his head I say unfortun-
ately, as with him died the last hope of
discovering the missing property; for on
examination 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?"
'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
grandfather's 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 ?''
al see. I wonder what really did be-
come of it?''
Father came to the conclusion that it
must have been stolen from his brothers
trunk on board the ship, after his death.
But he always kept the trunk and its con-
tents very carefully, and enjoined on me
to do the same, though it has been ran
sacked again and again, and every
article it contained thoroughly examin-
ed"
ana where is II now Z!
Cup stairs in the little third-story back
room. Don't you remember it-a middle
sized soleleather trunk, with s. c.
marked on it?'
II tell you what, Patience" | said,
springing up, 81 mean to have look at
the contents of that trunk early tomorrow
morning.
what nonsense, Addict Don't | tell
hac +hor
oughly examined hundreds of times?"
"Well, then, it will do no hurt to ex-
anime them the several hundred-and-
oneth time. But was not that a ring at
my bell? Yes, indeed Here comes nay
trunk, Patience l want to show you my
Christmas gifts, and have knit you such
pretty shawl And in the unpacking
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, uperintending the stuf1ng of that
turkey; so, unless you wish me to die of
ennui during your absence, you might as
well let me amuse myself after my own
own fashion"
"Curiosity, thy name is-Adelaide
CART" laughed Patience as she went to
her desk to look for the key. "Here it is.
And put on a shawl, Addie; there is no
fire in the room, and do not want you to
catch cold"
"And if find the fortune!"
Bring it down stairs and show it 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 / has
tined to put on my heavy cloth travelling
sacque, and made the best of my way to
the third story back room-a little, dingy
apartment used as a lumber-room, and
half filled with old trunks, broken furni-
ture, discarded pictures; in fact, all the
rubbish which collects in old houses, and
which, though considered too good to
throw away, is usually mere useless lum-
Der. An old picture, the portrait of some
forgotten friend or distant relative Of our
parents or grandparents, leaned against
the wall and seemed to leer at me out of
its faded eyes with a look of meckery and
discouragement. An old high clock in
the corner, Jared, probably by my step
on the floor, started suddenly into
wheezy series of ticks, and then was
silent again. The air of the shut-up room
smOte coldly or my senses, and chilled
me despite my warm wrappings. Gath
ering my dress about me, | picked nv
way across the floor, avoiding sundry
jagged nails and broken trunk-cOrners,
and soon stood in front of the trunk
marked rs. c." STOPPING, l fitted the
key to the lock; it turned slowly and
creakingly, and with an eager yet trem-
bling hand l flung back the lid. No sud-
den glow of gold or jewels flashed from
the interior A quantity of masculine
habiliments, carefully folded, greeted my
eyes, and a strong odor of camphor as
sailed my nose. That was all.
l took the things out one by one, I'M
folding each article as I did so, and
scrutinizing it carefully. Old-fashioned
shirts yellow as saffron; coats from which
every vestige of the lining had been rip
ped in the search for the hidden wealth;
trousers with the pockets turned inside
out; stockings not rolled in compact balls,
but stretched out at full length, such
were the uppermost things in the old
trunk. Underneath lay pair or two OF
old boots, small dressing-case covered
with Russia leather, small fiat workbox
Containing two spools, one of black silk
and one of white thread, lump OF wax
scored 10y passing threads, a needle book
shaped like a butterfly, and pair OF
scissors and a writing case, also covered
with Russia leather ] took this to the
light, and carefully examined 1t in the
vague hope that it might contain some