Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-11-29

love, was willing to risk ali tor him
whom she loved.
And now the reader may as we'll be
told who those young young people
so bent upon an opement-were.
Annie was the only daughter of the
wealthiest man in the place
daughter of an honorable but ambi-
tious man, who was stern in his man.
ner, and naughty, while she was as win
ming as June morning. Yet MIR.
Rivers was looked up to with great rev.
erance on every hand. Annie-young
though she was-had many suitors;
some attracted by her beauty, but more
for her position as an heiress. Among
these-as we already know-was Mr..
Prendegast, who ranked second only to
Mr.. Rivers in wealth in the place, and
who had run into gray-headed old bach
elorhood before he thought himself
rich enough to enjoy the luxury of
wife.
Charles Albro was the only son of
most respectable widow, who, with but
small income, had supported him
through his youth, and so educated
him that he was capable of filling al
he could reach at his age. His man
ner was easy and graceful, and his ad-
dress winning. For two years previous
to the date of this story, he had held
position in the postoffice of his native
town, and had been promoted therein
only a few days before.
There was a large gathering at the
house of Mr.. Rivers, on Christmas
evening, for he was not niggardly in
his hospitality. And as they gathered
in, many wondered why the lovely
Annie was not there as usual. the first
to welcome her fathers visitors. But
all that the anxious father could tell
them was that he expected her in every
moment-all that he knew about her,
that which a servant told him-'she
had gone out early in the afternoon to
make call" and had not yet return
ed.
The hours sped on, and his anxiety
increased to fear! What had become
Of her ! Had she been decoyed away,
and murdered, and doomed to a fate
more horrible yet? The excitement of
his guests was almost as great as his
own; but when the clock struck nine, q
man presented himself at the door of
MIR. Rivers house and asking an inter-
view with him, handed a note which
accounted for her absence. It was
jointly from herself and Charles, stating
the object of their elopement; but CIV
ing no clue to their destination; how
ever, assuring him that as soon as the
knot was tied he should hear from them,
and when assured of his forgiveness,
they would return to him.
Why was this note delayed; it is
dated six hours ago!" shouted Mr..
Rivers.
81 was paid to deliver it at nine
o'clock, and not a minute before p said
the man, sententiously, as he turned
and left the house.
GA thousand curses on the migrate
full girl p cried Mr.. Rivers, as he COM
municated the facts to his friends,
"Forgive her III see her rot first !!
He-the beggarly upstart-asked me
for her, and refused him, and now he
has stolen her!"
"Bad Endorsement Ny cakes all
dough p muttered Prendengast, as he
put on his yellow kids-and babe his
friends goodnight.
Other friends, particularly several
young men who had been On Annie's
track, sympathized with him, and left;
and soon he was left alone in his wrath.
Left alone to fume and to fret, to curse
and writhe; for he was not one of that
sort to take "the ills the gods sent" and
be thankful that they were no worse. X
l,ofc ~ &c
the place was closeted with the great
United States secret postofice detec-
tive-in his line the Fouche of Amer
lea, and a terror to all delinquents
who dare to lay their. unwashed fingers
on Uncle Sans mails, or the contents
thereof.
Recent heavy robberies had been
traced to that Office, and now they were,
in the night, when all the clerks were
away, engaged in comparing notes, and
looking for evidence whereby they
might find out the guilty one. And
though he would be the last one of all
whom Mr.. Bascomb, the P. NJ, would
have suspected, yet, in the private desk
of Charles Albro, the lock of which
they picked; was found such proof as
left no doubt of his guilt. Envelopes
of letters which had been described to
the agent as containing money; drafts
which, without Endorsement, he dared
not try to get cashed; for Charles had
not got quite so bold in crime as to add
forgery to hin other faults.
This came crushingly upon Mr.. Bas-
comb, for ne had not only been Charles
warmest friend, but he knew his amia-
BILE mother well; had known his father
in life, and he knew how fearfully this
blow would come on her.
Where is this young mana" asked