The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-05-17
SAVED BY STRATEGY.

Strange! what can this mean: Is this a
stupendous fraud, Il trick, or WHAT And DR.
pomeroy stared almost vacantly at the closely
written sheet he held IN his hand. He read
''DR. PoMERoY,-Iw will not apologize for the
unparalleled service am about to ask of you
suffice it to say | have heard your history,
heard of your struggles, and realize how hard
a task il is for one so young IN the profession
and without friends in nc great wilderness OF
houses called city. Also permit me 10 add,
] have been informed Of the cruel blow you
received from the hand of one you loved, who
was unworthy Of you; and yet | am not &C
GiaIntcd with YOU, nor yOu with me. Indeed,
we have never looked upon one anothcrs face.
Nevertheless am about to request You to do
me great favor. Will you come to South
Street Church tomorrow at eight O'Clock
Come privately, unattended, and never repeat
tha! which takes place there. viii you give
me stranger, u lawful claim 10 your name,
and yet not seek To know whom YOU marry?
If you will do 50, will make over to YOU fifty
thousand dollars, payable to your order at the
CITY bank, rs soon as the ceremony is over.
Trusting that the money VIII be a temptation
to you, | shall anXlousiy await you at the APP
pointed time"
That was all There was no signature
nothing to give any clue to the writer's adj
, dress or abode. Indeed, 1t was 50 tcrsc and 50
untcm mime in its details that he was tempted
10 believe some Of his male friends were play.
ing coke on him.
- will not go--I will not be toocd!' he
said to himself.
lie flung the missivc down, then he picked
Is up folded it carefully, and thrust it in his
pocket
He remembered that he had patients Wis.
1t, and went out; but everywhere the contents
of Shat strange letter were ringing IN his cars.
He then went to see his mother. She was sui-
fcring even more than usual and number of
dunning bills had been left to his considera.
ton bills which he had not the most remote
idea how be was to meet. He threw them
down and buried his face in his hands
"I'Oycrty is Il curse, mother" he groaned.
~ 90 not know which way to turn"
She tried to cheer him, but in vain Every.
where lac turned, hopeless chaos seemed to
envelope INN.
All, if tha, letter were only real" he
thought Fifty thousand dollars would make
me rich
And so he lretted and worried until the APP
pointed hour camc-Onc moment yowing he
would not go near The place the next tempted
10 see the farce out
Eight O'Clock found him stealing in He
Sal" iNp anu
standing in the upper part of the building,
while the minister sat in IA chair There was
but one gas jet lighted, and he could just dis
finguish the forms As soon as he entered,
the gentleman spoke TO one of the ladies, and
then she advanced to meet HIM
''Arc you DR.. Pomeroy?" she asked in II low
tome
81 am"
She led him to where the gentleman stood,
and he extended his hand
How do you do, Pomcroy?" he said and
POmcroy recognized in him the president of
the city bank II am here by the request Of
this young lady pointing to the one who had
not moved or spoken, "to inform you that if
you agree 10 her proposition, am authorized
10 pay TO your order the sum Of fifty thousand
dollars"
Pomcloy tried to speak out his voice was
choked. 1t was no fraud; it was reality He
stood mOuuuicss fora moment; then advanced
and offered hi, arm to the silent lady She
took IL without II culver and went with him
10 where the minister awaited them. The ccre-
mony was quickly periorrned.
DE- POmcroy registered his name and then
looked with considerable curiosity at the bold,
plain signature, ELLEN Latour," which his
briG, wrote down. The minister hastily filled
Out Z. certificate, which he had brought with
him By request, and which the maid and the
banker signed as witnesses The bride took
it, kissed it, and thrust it in her bosom, One
moment more and the two glidcd swiftly away
from sight.
Dr. Pomcroy wiped the perspiration from
his brow, and then asked
"NhO was she ~
"a do not know" said the minister II was
requested by letter. and paid to perform the
ceremony and keep il "A secret. 1t i perfectly
lawful"
And l. said the banker, "dld not see the
laly's face She deposited the money with
me and requested my attendance here to as
sure yCu that her promise should be faithfully
fulfilled"
The three men separated; the gas was turn.
81 out. the curtain fell ON the first act
iAe next day Pomeroy tried to realize what
nc mad done. lie had sold his name to the
unknown woman, hut he thought that could
not iniure him
SHE must have been in deadly peril he
meditdted, ito pay such an eXhorbitant price
for a simple name.
tie took an Office further up townsand NOV
cd lis mother 10 a nicer home. Patients came
pouring in; different class employed The
rlch Dr. POmeroy than those who had employ
ed the poor one.
rive years lau passed away, anu he hau
gained reputation and added considerably tC
his bank account He had been an indeiatlg
able worker. and now he felt that he needed
rest for awhile.
we Will take a "trip TO Europe, mother" h,
said. at will do you more good than you can
imagine"
4 great many gentle hearts felt pang TO ser
the "good doctor leave, although their endeav
ors TO catch him had been in vain He felt Nc
preference for the opposite sex lie had re
covered from his disappointment, and he ceas
ed 20 remember that he was a married man. OF