Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-12-02

that something dreadful had occurred.
James," said she, solemnly, "I
have found that girl out in theft.
"WhoG Amanda9 ?"
"Pshaw no. Your superior girl.
Ann. She has just helped herself to
twenty dollars of mine"
"Good gracious |" cried Mr.. Garret,
pausing in the act of carving the tur-
key.
"Yes; 1T was twenty dollar note
which-ahem-happened to fall out of
my desk on the floor this forenoon. 1
was busy with Horace and so-ahem-
forgot to pick it up before 1 left the
room. When I came down to dinner 1
instantly missed it, and the abandoned
creature actually said she might have
swept it into the dustpan and burnt it.
Fortunately I have the number of it,
and after dinner you must go immedi-
ately and fetch policeman"
Bewildered, though far from con-
vinced by the proofs of AIMS guilt
which his spouse cited, Mr.. Garret
suffered himself to be sent off on his
errand of justice, and soon returned,
in company with detective, armed with
warrant, and Ann Was imperatively
rupg up, while Amanda was ordered to
remain, that she might take a warning
from the event to take place.
"Ann," said her master, feeling very
small, Mrs. Garret misses some money,
and this man has come to -
"Find it, my DEAR" subjoined the
officer, who had been regarding her with
undisguised interest. $50 if you'll
hand over the keys of your kit well
proceed to business instanter."
"And," said Mrs. Garret, sternly, "if
the stolen property is found in your
possession, you will go to prison, miss
that you shall"
AIMS white face slowly kindled with
scorching red; her large, dark eyes
dilated with deep horror; her lips
turned pale; her breath seemed to leave
her in gasp.
"You accuse me-of theft 2" she fall
tered.
Mr.. Garret silently put her into a
chair. She looked as if the shock would
strike her dead.
"Do you deny" demanded Mrs. Gar
ret, none the less spitefully for this at
tention, "that you picked up that
twenty dollar bill that was dropped on
the carpet, just on this spot, this fore
noona Haven't you got it in your
pocket, or trunk, or hidden about your
bedroom at this momentS Go on with
the search, Mr.. Officer; she's determined
not to confess. It was a national bank
bill for twenty dollars, numbered 108,-
943."
"Seems to me I've seen your face be-
fore this" my gal" muttered the Off
Ger, confidentially. "You'n please
fork over the key of yer kit" young
woman"
With trembling hands Ann waved him
off, and united ribbon from about her
neck, on which small key was sus-
pended.
AS she gave it to him sort of sob
shook her, and large tears rushed in a
torrent down her cheeks.
"I'll show the way" said the mistress
of the house, sure by these signs of sor
row that the note was about.to be dis
covered. "James, keep your eye on
the unprincipled wretch, for there's no
knowing what she may do"
Arrived at AIMS miserable bedroom,
the officer first coolly rifed the pockets
of all the dresses to be found hanging
up, and not finding what he sought,
dragged the single trunk out under the
skylight and unlocked it.
Very neatly arranged were poor Ann
Walkers simple belongings. Some
daintily frilled underclothing, smelling
of lavender; her modest Sunday apparel
folded by itself in silver paper; box of
plain linen collars and cuffs, one or two
books of such unexpected titles as
"Longfellow's Hyperion" "The Holy
Grail, " by Tennyson, and some of Mad
anne Michelet's in the original French;
and beautiful mother-of pearl desk in
the very bottom with the initials ga.
W. A." in a silver monogram on the
top.
"Now I'm blessedif this amt pretty
kit for servant girl. remarked the de-
tective, taking out the desk and pro-
ceeding to pry it open with his pen
knife.
GA Wholesale robber," groaned Mrs.
Garret, clasping her hands; "and to
think that have harbored -
"Hallo," cried the detective, opening
the lid, and taking out silver photo.
graph case, richly chased, and gar
nished with an elaborate monogram,
"Who's this ?"
Then the pair had fine surprise.
Opening the case, they saw two cartes
one of majestic looking military
man, apparently about sixty, the other
of young girl, clad in silk and richest
lace, whose face bore the exact simili-
tude of Ann Walkers.
"By the hooky p calculated the Off
GER, light breaking all over his face,
and astonishment prevented further
articulation.
Taking greasy pocketbook out of his
breast pocket he opened it, and drew
forth a photograph, which was Ann
Walkers vignette.
"Them two's the same gal ?" asked
he, eagerly.
eyes" answered the lady, with a
glance.
81 thought I had spotted that gal the
minute I set eyes on her," cried the
man, exultingly "and to think of me
findin' her after all, and three of us o.
huntin' for her these six months. I'm
a made man. Won't the gineral plank
down the thousand pounds rewards
Hoorar /"
"What do you meant" asked Mrs.
Garret.
She begun to believe she had been
sheltering very great criminal indeed.
"What do means ?" grinned the de-
tective. "Why, that you've made the
orkardest mistake, misses, you ever
made in your life. You've heard of