The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-01-25

'tective for the purpose. In the course
of few weeks they were able to inform |
me that Thompson had been dicovered |
in Paris, working under an assumed !
name, and that, on being informed of |
the discovery, he had at once come over
to his family, who were overjoyed at his |
return.
On the following day Thompson called |
at the bank, and was recognized by |
Sergt. Copp as the very individual who
had left the money with him.
The explanation given by Thompson
of the transaction was, that his coffee
had been drugged Mt the house where
he slept, and his watch stolen from him.
He had, however, nerved himself by
violent effort the following morning to
be at his post on the lighter, and, al
though half stupefed, had with some
difficulty received and counted over the
money; that on going ashore he had
repaired to public house near the
| docks, in order to get some soda water
that, after taking it, he had rambled
through the streets on his way to the
workshop.
His mind, however, was a complete
blank as to everything which occurred
afterward, until he found himself lying
in a narrow alley, surrounded by i'll
looking people. When he came to him.
self he was paralyzed by fear on
finding, SIS he thought, that he had
been robbed of his bag. His brain was
dazed with the thought OF the fearful
accusations which would be certainly
brought against him. Who would be-
lleve that he was guiltless OF any crime
when appearances were so much against
him? How could he explain away his
seeming state of intoxication when he
went on board in the morningl And,
above all, how could he explain the loss
of the bag? He could remember that
up to certain time, after leaving the
public house, he still had the bag safe
IN the breast pocket of his coat, for he
had distinct recollection of keeping
his arm tightly pressed against it. He
had dim recollection of finding him.
self amid streets of tall stone houses,
and of Keeling against several people on
the pavement but after that his mem
DRY was altogether blotted out. All was
darkness and vacancy until be awoke.
Then q feeling of blank despair took
possession of his mind. How could he
ever again show himself among his
friends-he who had held his head SO
high, and had been so forward in de-
nouncing vice and drink He would be
laughing stock to all the world then
the stain upon his honesty Messrs.
Smith & Jones he knew to be very hard
people; they never had spared anybody
in their business dealings, and they
would certainly bring criminal charge
against him. The idea was horrible.
He would rather die than submit to such
indignity.
Pondering these things over in his
mind, he had wandered heedlessly
through the streets without remarking
whittier he was going. Fate or instinct
seemed to lead him to the riverside
again, and he found himself at last at ST.
Katherine's dock. Exactly facing where
he stood was flaming placard, ANNOUNCE
ing the departure that day of boat di-
rect for Calais, Mt very low rate OF pass
age. The thought darted into his mind:
Why not cut the difficulties at once, and
put the sea between himself and the
scene of his disgrace9
1t was a cowardly temptation which, if
his intellect had been in clearer state,
would have been instantly rejected with
scorn, but the poisonous drug which he
had imbibed seemed TO have utterly I'M
manned him and deprived HIM of the
courage necessary TO face his trouble.
He yielded TO the temptation and made
his way through to Paris, where, under
an assumed name, he succeeded in get
ting work, for he was very expert in his
business.
Nothing could exceed the delight of
the worthy commissioning at having
been the means of clearing up the mys-
terry, except, indeed, his pride in retell-
ing the oft-told tale. Nor was his hon
esty unrewarded in a more substantial
manner. Messrs. Smith & Jones pre-
scented him with G100 as recognition Of
his integrity and intelligence.