The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-01-18


elorhood before he thought himself
rich enough TO enjoy the luxury Of
wife.
Charles Albro was the only son Of a
most respectable widow, who, with
but small income. had supported
him through his youth, and had SO ed
ucated him that he was capable Of
filling almost any situation with credit
which he could reach at his age. dis
manner was easy and graceful, and his
address winning. For two years pre-
vious to the date Of this story, he had
held a position in the post Office of his
native town, and had been promoted
therein only few days before.
Therewas a large gathering at the
house Of Mr.. Rivers, OF Christmas
evening, for he was not nlggardly 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
al the anxious fat .er could tell them
was that be expected her in every mo-
mental that he knew about her, was
/ that which a servant told him-"she
| had gone out early in the afternoon to
IL y
| turned.
The hours sped on. and his anxiety
! increased 10 fear What had become
! of her Had she been decoyed way,
and murdered, ana doomed to fate
more horrible yet! The excitement
OF his guests was almost as great as
his own; but when the clock struck
nine, a man presented himself at the
door of Mr.. Rivers house and asking
an interview with HIM, hand a note
which accounted for her absence. 1t
was Jointly from herself and Charles,
stating the object Of their elopement !,
but giving no clue to their destinations;
however, assuring him that as soon DIS
the knot was tied he should hear from
them, and when assured of his for
glveness, they would return to him.
"Why was this note delayed: it is
dated six hours got" shouted Mr..
Rivers.
Il was paid to deliver it at nine
o'clock, and not minute before -
said the man, sententiously, as he
turned and left the house.
"A Thousand curses on the migrate
full girl - cried Mr.. Rivers, as he com
municated the fact to his friends.
"Forgive her I'll see her rot first
; He-the beggarly upstart-asked me
for her, and ! refused him, and now
ne has stolen her -
s.Bad Endorsement Ny cakes all
dough !" muttered Prendergast. as he
put on his yellow kids-and babe his
friends goodnight.
J Other friends, particularly severa
) young men who had been on Annie
r track, sympathized with him, and
left and soon be was left alone in his
! wrath. Left alone to fume and to fret
/ to curse and writhe, for he was moi
: one OF that kind to take 1.-THE ills The
. gods sent and be thankful they were
no worse.
! At that same hour the postmaster Of
/ the place was closeted with the grea
; United States secret post office detec
t tive--in his line the Fouche of Ameri
$ ca. and terror to all delinquents wht
. dare to lay their unwashed fingers Oh
. Uncle Sam s mails or the contents there
5 of.
! Recent heavy robberies had beer
q traced to that office, and now the,
Y were, in the night, when all the clerk
/ were away, engaged in comparin;
n notes, and looking for evidence where
5 by they might find out the guilty one
. And although he would be the las
. one of all whom Mr.. BaScomb, tn
i post master would have suspected, yet
/ in the private desk OF CHARGES Albro
e the lock of which they picked wa
found such proof as left no doubt 0
y his guilt. Envelopes of letters whicl
had been described TO the agent as con
tanning money drafts, which, withou
. Endorsement he dared not try TO re
K cashed for Charles had not got quit
}, so bold in crime as to add forgery t
II his other faults.
Il This came crushingly upon Mr.. BaS
v comb. for he had not only bee
= Charles warmest friend. but he kne,
o his amiable mother well he ha
known his father in life, and he kne'
!. how fearfuuy this blow would com
4 on her.
e "Where is this young MANI aske
the detective, who, in the stern al
It charge Of his duty, knows no sympath
with the criminal nor were he fit FL
+ his duty if he did.
r Il do not know" replied the pos
e master. she applied yesterday for
IT few days leave of absence; but he wa
1t in town to-day. / saw him this morI
rs ing"
le His arrest must be affected as quicl
er IL as possible, and then perhaps W
! can recover some of the money whic
ot he has taken. The hope of escape o
50 ten makes my most hardened case di
~ gorge, whereas. If act roughly. the
keep all to fee lawyers and bribe jurie
ID with.
+, Il shall leave all 70 you said Ba
10 comb. sadly. Il wish TO he as lit
as mixed up in the affair as possible. fl
m his poor mother S sake.
III
1t was three days later. In a oui,
III room in small hotel in retired tow
Mt in Pennsylvania Charles Albro and h
young wife sat waiting an answer to
ne joint letter which they had written |
b. Mr.. Rivers. announcing their wher
n. abouts and their union, and asking h
i'd sanction to the same. Both look ha
~zfx Il