The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-12-27
but have nothing of any value" pleaded the

but have nothing OF any Value pleaded I'M
girl In a low tone.
I'VE must have money for our goods, younl
woman--cant afford to give them away-anC
, Mrs. Fcnton owes us little now"
Great heavens, man, would you refuse Il
let few cents 20 unpaid, and thus deprive ,
poor woman of u morsel of comfort, and on
New Years eve :" spoke up the stranger
who had been listening. Give the young
" good G biz ' basS Nn' rM, it, now fiji II with
the best you have in the store, and dom forget
to put IN turkey" And is the clerk pro-
ceeeed to fill the order, he continued turning
to the lady: II wouldn't be surprised If you
turned out to be the very person am looking
for The lady am hunting is named Fenton,
and she had Il son named Richard, who was IA
great friend Of nine in Australia, and
"Oh, mother will be 50 glad to see your! IN.
! terrupted ,IesSie-tor it was no other than she.
"Wcll, then, I'll accompany you home he
replied, rs he paid for the great load OF good
things hcaped into the basket which he took
| upon his arm, and in company with Jessie,
departed.
On their way to Mrs. Fentons cottage they
passed a large, handsome dwelling, whose
windows were brilliantly lighted, and from
within soft strains Of music came floating out
upon the storm.
And to whom does this beautiful residence
belong?" inquired the stranger,
at is owned by Thomas Hood. He went
away to Australia, and came back immensely
rich. Isn't it grand place? If poor Dick
would only have come back again how glad
we woull have been" sighed Jessie
"3e of good cheer, child. | have "a message
to deliver to Tom Hood, and tonight is indeed
tit occasion for It's delivery"
When they reached the cottage, Jessie rushed
in cxclamiHg: "Oh, mother, here is a. gen
tleman who knew Dick III Australia, and he
has come to tell Us about him. And just see
what great lot of good things he has brought
us for our New Years."
Mrs. Fenton, who was lying upon q lounge,
which had been drawn up before the fire in
the CRATE for warmth,-ior wood was very
scarce with them, and they got along with AS
little fire as possible,-- rose hastily, saying:
ITO tell us of Rchard' Oh, SIR II you
would bring joy to our hearts, speak but one
word and tell us if my boy Is ahvew
Madam" said the stranger, who seemed
greatly affected as he gazed at the pale, care
worn face of the old lady, 81 cannot tell you of
your son tonight; in the morning will tell
you what know of him. | have an impOr-
tant duty to perform within the next few hours
then | Will return, and at breakfast will tell
his story" And then, after few more words,
he left
After leaving the cottage, he made his way
to Thomas Hoods princely mansion Before
reaching the place he hailed a man wearing a
star on his breast with whom he spoke few
words, and then went on. In a few moments
more he stood before tho house. and making
his way to the door he rang the bell The sum
mons was soon answered by a servant The
stranger stepped into the broad hall, and as he
tp al btp,selT nf his
he servant said:
There is no one allowed in this house TO.
hight, unless he has a special invitation
"l'll make that all right with your master
just arrived on the train replied the stran
ger, slipping gold piece into the mans hand
After getting md OF his Overcoat and cap
which had hid his personal appearance from
'iew-the servant led the way 10 the grand
lrawing-room, mutterlng to himself as he did
%: There amt "a fner-looklng gentleman in
he house. The ladies VIII go wild over him.
AS he entered the elegant room, thronged
With with the elite OF the city and lighted by
great chandelier, whose many pendants re
lectcd the light in a hundred coors over the
guests, many eyes were turned upon
lin, one lady remarking to Hood, who stood
Gaming against one of the carved pillars in the l
enter of the room: "Mr Hood, who is that t
handsome gentleman just entering the door" :
Hood glancend in the direction indicated,
nd as he did so the strangers eyes and his
net and he replied: II m sure do not know,
ut it seem, 70 me have seen those eyes some c
where. I'll find ont who he is" So saying, r
Iood started towards The stranger, extending /
lis hand and remarking "a he came up to =
where he stood:
"Well, sir whom do | have the pleasure of
leeting? Some friend Of long ago."
The stranger, not noticing the extended i
and, replied, 81 just arrived from abroad Il
australia" .
Hood gave sudden start, and then asked
And what business brings you here tonight"
VERY important business, Tom Hood. Do
Ou remember what occurred five years ago b
morrow night, Do you remember y scene p
a certain miners tent IN the diggings in c
.ustraliaY" ,
Hood grew as pale as death, and exclaimed
tins is some mailman thar has
roken loose. Will one Of you call police b
ian" Il
"Let no one stir until have finished speak ,
lg!" said the stranger, for now the guests p
ere listening in mute astonishment Five y
ears ago tomorrow night Richard Fenton-
lost OF you remember HIM when a boy--was
t upon and stabbed by an unseen assassin, G
no left him for dead The next morning the b
liners found in his tent something which was T
fought sooner or later would lead to the APP II
rchcnsion of the murderer, That something J.,
as the toretinger Of the left hand Of the dssos.
n! Thomas Hood, doyou recognize that" u
nd the stranger held up a small bottle con Al
lining a perfectly preserved human finger. 70
II eyes gazad at II, and then at Hoods left Of
and, which was minus finger, many among 7,
&c guests remembering how evasivc he had
ways been in his answers to questions in re-
ird to IL. .,
Hood stood spellbound, his eyes protruding ~
ON their sockets great beads Of sweat stand m
& upon his forehead, and his tongue seemed
ceavc to the roof of his mouth, for he could tn
1t utter u word. Then the stranger again
oke:
Gentleman and ladies, there stands the at It
mptcd murderer of Richard Fenton, and
rest him rs such!" As he finished speaking, ~