Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-27

after the most careful inquiries
Years passed away. The disappearance of
David Golden had become an old story, and
the excitement which at first attended it had
long since died out.
| That he was robbed and murdered was the
belief of his own family; but this belief was
not shared by the community atlarge, for not
the slightest proof could be found in support
of it, inasmuch as his body was never recov-
cred, nor any trace of the notes in his poses-
| sion ever found.
The most plausible theory seemed to be
that the money had proved too great a temp
tation, and he had fed with it to parts un-
known; and this was the theory generally
received.
What gave color to this view OF the case
was the sJatment of Tom Penhallow that he
had seen him at the wharf on the afternoon
OF his disappearance, but had parted with
1 him before shutdown, and had never seen him
| since.
| Tom, meanwhile, had prospered steadily,
and was now esteemed one of the solid men
| OF Oldport Moreover, he was on the eve of
marriage with Jessie Wynne.
Be not too hard upon the poor girl, for she
firmly believed that David was dead. And do
not even the Scriptures affirm that living
| dog is better than q dead lion?
But the Goldens had rather gone behind
hand, Tor the loss Of the money was a serious
loss to David's father He had withdrawn it
from the bank for the purpose of purchasing
| certain lands adjoining his own called the
"Cratchet Farm which he had long desired
to possess, and he had not as m uch more in
| the world.
Such was the state of things when Tom and
| Jessie came to pass the evening with the
Goldeus-the last evening before their mar
riage.
| so tomorrow is the wedding-day," said
Mr.. Golden with an attempt at jo0ularity
which ill-harmonized with his careworn
countenance.
And tomorrow is four years since David
went out that door and never came back, !"
| said Mrs. Golden; then, regarding the bridal
about! used to hope that David"-
Hush, mother! don't talk about that to-
nightW whispered Faith, and Immediately fell
| to rallying Tom and Jessie in a way which
| soon restored the mirth this allusion had in
terrupted.
By-and by Gathering of boots was heard
on the porch, and Dick, the Golden's young
est hopeful, burst open the door impetuously,
saying:
Here's man wants to stay all night. He
says he's awful tired, and can't walk to the
| tavern"
He's welcome said Mr.. Golden; for ap-
plications of this kind were not common in
those primitive days.
How do you know but what he's thief,
| father?" said Faith.
The amused glance the traveller, who now
| appeared in the doorway, cast on Faith.
showed that he had heard her remark, but,
nothing daunted, she continued:
well, you never can tell by a mans ap-
pearance what he is"
Very true, but YOU can keep an eye on me, i"
said he laughing.
Don't mind what our Faith says. She has
a lawless tongue" said Mr.. Golden. "Be
| seated, sir "
Tho +ra1,olor ,x-os , --o,,rc. ,,o,, ,-;+I, haor5
which had never known the touch of a razor,
between which and the brown curls on his
! forehead little could be seen save a pair of
| hazel eyes and straight, handsome nose. He
| q not seem averse to conversation; but
Faith, not relishing her fathers Introduction,
Jessie, turning her back on the stranger, and
quite shutting him out of the group.
He discussed the usual theme of weather
and politics with Mr.. Golden; then, noticing
that Dick was busily engaged with his jack
knife, hesasked:
what are you doing, bub?"
Ppm fixing my top. I made it myself. It's
good top too, only it won't co." said Dick
"That's bad fault. Let me see what can
do,' said the traveller; and taking his knife
from his pocket, he whitfield little here and
u little there.
Now I guess it will keep it's center OF
gravity" said he, and pulling the string, he
SCub IL WAlIllL& dCTOSS GuC HUT III d luduuOI
that brought forth yells of delight from Dick.
"WhY IFS nothing but a streak There she
goes! under the table-under the chairs
Take care O. your toes, girls?' As the gyra-
tons grew slower, and finally, when itseemed
about to topple over, he picked it up, drew g
Eyes. she's all right now" said the young
man. ats nice thing to know how to make
your own tops. l suppose you made that Lit
tie craft over the mantelpiece, too"
"Oh, no, 1 can't make ships, David made
that "
"And who is David?"
"He was my brother, that got killed.
Here Dicks reply was brought to sudden
close by a thrust from Faiths elbow, accom-
panied by Hold your tonguem
81 amt a-goin' to hold my tongue" snapped
Dick, rubbing the wounded place. 1--WE a!
good right to talk as you"
"There, there. be quiet" said Mr. Golden
soothingly. Its sad story, sir, and W.
, don't often allude to it. David was our son
, who was murdered three years ago"
Murdered! How, prayw
swell, that we don't know, for his body wa
! never found"
"But what motive could any one have TO
so foul a deed?'
, 1.-THE usual motive. sir; money. He hat
quite large amount just taken from tn
bank"
"And Of the money you never found an.
:, trace?"
"None at all; the cunning villain looke'
out for that.n
"And your son was-excuse me-quit
trustworthy-not wild or rowing at all il
! short, he was entirely above suspicion?"
"He was, to everybody that knew him,
: said Mr.. Golden, with dignity, "but an ange
could not escape the tongue of SANDER"
Then there were those who charged hin
g falsely"
There were. They charged him with run
u ming off with the money"
e "Horriblep' exclaimed the young man,
t ave always hoped we might t:ace the vii
lain by curious old watch David had wit
: him; and sometimes I think it will be tn
:. means of bringing him to light yet"
"What kind of watch?'
y Mrs. Golden, who had all this time hardl
taken her eyes off the struger, now came fel
:, ward and said, eagerly
1t was large silver watch, a hundred year
s l never could quite make out what it was
e but should know that watch in Guinea"
"Was it anything like that-mother? holt
e ing his own up before her.
g "My son, my son!" cried she. II knew
was David's voice, but thought he was dea
her face with her apron and wept aloud.
8 Pale and trembling, Tom Penhallow leane
1t on the back of Lis chair for support.
"Then you were not lost in the Tempest
d said he.
e "WrecKed, but not lost" said David
When calmness was in some measure r
d stored, they all sat down, and David told Il
!" story of his disappearance.
lie when left the watchmaker's," said b
1T 81 CHANGED to meet an old friend, and "
1t strolled together down to the wharf to &c
ID what was going on. The first person we sa
e. there was nv old captain. who was just abol
to sail for Liverpool. He was in great troub
It because his clerk was taken sick at the la