The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-10-16
The Hidden Witness


haired young lady. abou, nineteen wears
OF age, was walking in the grove on
the southeastern outskirts Of Nashville.
Tennessee.
Ihe weather was truly enchanting.
ihe sky cloudless. the air cool and brac-
lug, and ths heat of the slanting sun
beams was tempered by the foliage of
the Old oak trees of the grove.
/ fhe young girl took off her broad
brimmed straw hat. and then only her
very striking beauty became fully ap-
parent.
her features were quite regular, her
complexion as Transparent as that of
the finest type If English blondes, and
her eyes deep Dlne, like the Italian sky
Only touch of melancholy marred
the fascinating expression of her beau
uful countenancc, and every now and
then she heavcd deep sigh.
At last she sat down 1t the foot of q
venerable old tree and was soon buried
IN profound thought. So profound that
for some time she did not notice the
approach of two men, who were pass
ing along the narrow path behind the
spot where she was seated.
Suddenly she gave start and began
to listen intently.
my father :" she murmured.
Then two men, who had no idea of
her overhearing what they said, were
talking loudly and excitedly.
"Mr. Musgrove.' said the Young man,
Il should be glad to oblige you. But,
IN unspnf xrn.Il -.
equivalent To my ruin as racehorse
rider"
"Pshaw, German" said Mr.. Nus
grove. q gray haired gentleman, evi-
IDENTIFY we'll to-do in this world, II tell
you must win this race to- morrow, and
/ cannot win it unless you hel Up me"
but
ITO cut the matter short, German, /
will pay you five thousand dollars if
you play that trick"
Five thousand dollars echoed Ger.
man, visibly shaken by this liberal
offer.
Yes. German, five thousand dollars,
if tomorrow you will let my mare Vir-
ginia win the race. and keep back for
moment on the homestretch Mr.. Wood
sons mare, Tennessee, which you are
going to ride"
German accepted the offer, but de-
manded the money in advance.
Come with me to my office and you
shall have it," sail Musgrove.
The two men left the grove.
The young lady, VINO had not lost
word of their conversation. sprang ex.
citedly to her feet in moment.
Heavens !" she exclaimed, vringing
her beautiful hands. this is terrible
terrible. My father we'll nigh insane
On tic subject Of hOrsc-racing, and
suppose he wonld rather see me dead
than let his pet mare Virginia, be
beaten by Mr.. Woodson's mare Tenncs-
see. And Wo0dson's son Frank is TO
become my husband. What xm to
do."
The poor girl burst into convulsive
fit Of weeping Az last she dried her
eyes and said to herself in u tone of
determination
Il must do i'll will do it"
Then she hurried out of the grove
and directed her steps to one of the
most aristocratic residences in the
southern part of the city.
The large and elegant brick building
belonged to Andrew Woodson, then the
wealthiest man in Nashville.
Mr.. Woodson owned number Of
cotton plantations ih Southern Tennes-
see. but he lived most of the time at
Nashville.
He was a great sportsman. and
especially noted for his love Of horse
flesh. He owned the fast trotting mare
Tennessee. which had won every race
for several years past. and had twice
beaten Virginia, tho tros.ing mare of
Anson Musgrovc, wealthy real-estate
speculator, aud as fond of horsefiesh rs
Mr. Woodson.
andrew Woodson's only son Frank.
was rising lawyer at the bar of Nash
vile. aud the lover OF Mr.. Musarove's
youngest daughter, Cecilia, who fondly
reciprocsted his affections.
His father, however, did not like the
match. for no other reason than because
Musgrove was his most bitter adver.
ssry on the turf. He had told bis son
that, although Cecilia Musgreve was
. very nice girl. he might do better by
waiting u few years. suggestion which
Frank did not like at all, aud which,
made Cecilia very unhappy.
III she were not the daughter Of
that confounded old curmudgeon. Nus
grove. Frank could find no better wife"
Mr.. Woodson had often said to himself
He was just smoking regalis or
the back versnda of his sumptunus resi-
dence. when colored girl approached
him. saying:
"Masr. please. Miss Cecilia Mus
grove wants to see you"
"What, Dinah, Miss Cecilia Nus
grove ?" asked MIR. Woodson. in blank
astonishment.
Yes. mas'r." !
Tell her to step cut here" he said,
slowly.
While the colored girl WAS going
away. Mr. Tocdson said to himself:
What in tho DEVILS name can the
girl want 7"
A few minutes later Cecilia made her
appearance. Her lips wer. compressed.
she was very pale and evidently great
ly excited. :.
Take . seat. Miss Mussrove." said
Mr.. Woodson. greeting her chivalrous-
iy. What can do for you I"
Mr.. Woodson. please DO not let that
man Gorman ride your mare Tennessee
-, ,ha r.re n morrow " Shc replied