Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1878-02-20
IN TIE SHADOW OF THE MOOSE.

but 10 was large enough 10 own Il
bauking-house, which did thriv-
ing business.
The president Of the institution,
who also filed the position Of
cashier, was Jasper Trentham, u
white-haired old man, who was
well up in the seventies, but still
prossessed Of much physical and
mental strength.
His family consisted Of rather
beautiful daughter named Amy.
She did the honors Of the bankers
hosue.
Those who pretended to be we'll
informed, said that a good deal Of
love was being wasted between
Amy and young Mr.. Walters, the
corporations teller.
At the same time others declar-
ed that the teller had been suplant-
ed in the girls graces by Jerome
Mcdonald, dark-faced eX-army
officer, who had lately taken up
residence in the place. This latter
parsonage had served with some
distinction in the late civil war be-
tween the States, and was reported
to be worth considerable.
He seemed to'woo Amy Trentham
boldly and in the face of the
gossips, and there were not few
who openly said that she had best
capture the major while the OPP
portunity remained.
But Amy appeared to know
what was best, for she suddenly
broke off with Mcdonald, and,
much to his chargrin, smiled upon
the teller.
About this time q new patent
chronometer lock was attached to
the safe in the vault of the bank,
and proved a nine days wonder to
Liberty. Such precaution had
been deemed necessary by the
robbery of banks in neighboring
towns, and as that of Liberty con-
tanned a great deal of money, many
depositors did not feel safe.
But the new lock brought securi-
ty to their thoughts, and all fears
of band-breakers were abolished.
1t was quite late one cold night
when Amy Trentham had occasion
to enter her fathers sleeping-room.
She entered on tiptoe, believing
that he slept, and proceeded
to complete her errand.
But all at once she stopped, and
the next moment a wild and de-
spairing shrek welled from her
throat. A horrid sight had en-
countered her gaze.
In the strip of the moonlight,
on the floor near the desk, lay the
body of a man, and the ghastly
face VISIBLE in the light instantly
proclaimed his identity.
The girl swooned upon the in
animate form, and the frightened
servants who had heared her cry
found her senseless there.
The banker was dead, and the
knife wound 10 the breast told the
story Of assassination.
Liberty was startled to its ut
most suburb by the fearful crime,
and despite the bowling winds of
winter and the cold snow drifts, an
excited crowd assembled before
the house, eager to catch at every
report.
Amy was unable to give any in
formation concerning the death OF
her father that night, owing to her
critical nervousness; but on the
following morning she made state
ment which, coupled with the re-
ports already in circulation, caused
the arrest of the teller.
The young man was charged
with having taken the life of the
bank president.
There seemed to be evidence
sufficient to warrant his arrest, and
it amounted to this;
For several months prior tC
the murder the banker and the
teller had not been sociable, and {
report was current that the remov
al of the latter was not among thu
improbable things. The teller haC
been the last man seen with Jasper
Trentbam, and Amy said that h
had accompanied her father to hi
bedroom few hours prior to he
discovery of his dead body, anc
she furthermore said that the tellei
had left the house alone, while he
parent had remained in the cham
L. Added 20 this was the teati