The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-12-13
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"Then you are robbed!' exclaimed the
Cashier.
And taking in the situation Of. affairs
from the disjointcd remarks of Annie, he
consulted with the manager of the bank
- to the best means to be employed to
catch the thief. ~ $500. ,. ?. +. IL.
Annie sank in chair in despair; she
felt a. if her heart would break. Here,
after all the cautions not for one moment
to let the money out of her hand. She
had lost it-lost it, perhaps beyond hope
Of recovery.
The people of the bank questioned her
closely regarding the manner in which
her money was taken, how the thief
looked, dressed, etc. Annie, with tear
wet eyes, answered as best she could; and
was promised that every effort would be
made to catch the thief and recover the
money; but it was probable, seeing that
he had such start, having without doubt
at once slipped out 1T side door, that it
would be long time before anything
would turn up regarding him.
II am exceedingly sorry for your mis-
hap" condoled the manager, and I shall
spare no expense in trying to ferret out
the rascal.
IAN ingenious fellow, whoever he was"
observed the Cashier; "the idea of repre-
senting himself as bank clerk wasn't
bad" and the official chuckled at the
cunning of the rogue.
Annie tried to dry her tears, and with
sad face and aching heart returned to
the carriage, and gave orders to be driven
home. She had never before met with
such a misfortune, and it completely up
set her. To think, too, that she had given
the money to the man with her free will,
as it were. She could not restrain her
tears, but cried softly to herself all the
way home. She dreaded to meet her
sisters, and thought how greatly they
would blame her. On arrival she found
both Jane and Maria at home, and waiting
for her.
"Have you tho deed all right. An
nie2" cried Jane a. soon as Annie had
entered. And then seeing her sorrowful
face, she cried, Why Annie, what is it:
you have it, haven't you?"
90, Jane," cried Annie, throwing her.
self on her sisters breast and sobbinq
grievously; 80, don't blame me; don't
please; l cannot bear to hear you. IL
have lost the money!
"Lost the money! cried Maria, her
face growing pale; ""Why, Annie!"
80, dear" moaned Jane, looking sor.
rowfully on Annie, show could YOU,
Annie, 0, how could you, when we told
you to be so carefulf o. dear3"
30, don't scold me, Jane; please don't, :"
sobbed Annie, piteously. "I-I-didn't
mean to you know. Y-you see I got it
from the bank, but just when I was driv-
ing off, young man, bareheadcd and
with pen behind his ear, looking the
very image of bank clerk, stepped up
and said that they had forgotten to take
the number of the notes, and $3.50 IL
gave them to him. o, Jane, I thought
of course it was all right, he spoke so
simply. o, what shall we do?''
The sisters mourned grievously for
their loss, and generously forbore ch1d-
ing Annie. Indeed, they saw that she
was really quite i'll in consequence of the
occurrence. And before the evening
Annie had to be put to bed and doctor
summoned to her, who found her in
raging fever.
For days and weeksAnnie was confined
closely to her bed, and as there was no
one to take care of her, Maria gave up her
situation and remained at home, nursing
and doing the house-work.
Their money gone, and only Jane earn
ing anything wherewith to pay their ind
creasing expenses, there were at last oblig-
ed to let part of their house. This they
did to respectable German family of the
name of Zimmerman, and as the family
desired if possible to board with them,
Maria procured girl to assist her, and
posted in the front window notice,
Furnished Apartments"
20, Annie!" cried Maria, one afternoon,
bursting into the room where Annie lay,
we've just got another ledger. Ayoung
man this time, and such handsome
One!"
"Dont be soft on him, Maria" said
Annie, smiling; "though l suppose, Of
course, he is perfect"
"He looks So" said Maria. "He SAYS
he is from home, and has only just arrived.
He told me that he wished to keep very
quiet, on account of near relative of his.
who is trying to find him and DESTROY
him in hopes Of succeeding to large
property"
"Pshaw!" said Annie, contcmptuously.
II don't believe it. It's too romantic
by half"
"Well, of course, don't know how
much truth there is in it," said Maria,
rather obviously. "Anyhow, he wants to
remain unknown. He's lodging across
the way at Mr.. Beach's."
"Well, see that he pays you in advance.
should judge from your account that he
is as likely as not to be swindler, reg
ular clearinghouse thict-they all tell
some such stories"
"A few days later Annie was sufficient
~ we'll to rise from her bed and walk
about the room. She was still quite
weak, but some of her old spirits shone
in her eyes, and the loss of the money
was gradually fading from her daily
thought.
The young gentleman seemed to have
made himself quite agreeable, for Maria
became rather shy and silent when he was
the subject Of conversation. And Annie
often wondered where Maria went after
the morning work was done. When,
however, she was spoken to about it,
Maria laughed and said she was out mar.
keting; but Annie strongly suspected that
Maria was out promenading with the new
ledger.
One morning Annie thought she was
strong enough to 60 down to the break
fast table. So, dressing, herself neatly,
and giving an added puff to her hair, in
view OF the fact that she was then to see
the ledger for the first time, Annie was
led downstairs by Jane.