The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-05-28
THE QUEER SERVANT.

THE QUEER SERVANT.
Mr.. Foster, a travelling collector of
large mercantile house, had suddenly
and mNsteriously disappeared. | WAS
delegated Ia investigate the matter. and
proceeded TO the town of @. where
lie had been stopping for few days,
and beyond which no clue Of him had
been obtained. As II probable aid in
falling III with his late companions i'll
that place without raising suslicions, |
too assumed 10 lie commercial traveller.
L had no difficulty nj @ in becoming
acquainted with persons who had seen
Foster. Int there WAS nothing 10 justify
any suspicious against any OF them.
Nearly a week passed, and | almost
deSpaircd- Almost every evening | met
III the little parlor of the inn a person
who had been introduced there by the
name Of Captain Williams.
He was nan Of middle age, gentle
manly III his manners, and by his ready
Wit and fund If anecdotes brcama very
universal favorite; he appeared always 10
have plenty of money, and was liberal
III hls manner Of diSposing of it.
He wis, We We're told, the owner of
country seat some ten miles OF: but gen
orally at that time of year. when the
commercials came their rounds, he would
take up his quarters AZ the inn for Che
purpose OF enjoying their society
So far, 80 good bat il was very siugu-
lar, for go wherever l would | met
Captain Williams.
At breakfast he was first down, and
after that, no matter what part OF the
town i went IL, was sure TO meet the
captain.
In thecourse Of my rounds went into
many houses of business, but when |
came out, there, At some distance, saun-
tered Williams.
He never stopped to speak, but always
courtcously lifted his hat.
The circumstances appeared singular,
and having one day, the last that | in
tended stopping III the town, met him i'll
the bank, | could not help for the mo-
mcnt starting back at the recontre.
Having settled my business, hurried
from the bank, leaving him there
That evening, at the tca-tablc, Viii
hams and | Were the only two persons to
sit down II the table.
a. hope. Mr.. Bagshaw," lie said after
the cloth had been cleared. "you will do
me the honor Of taking wine with me; /
am about starting 10 my solitary home. =
4" With al the pleasure of life, captain,
/ replied.
Tie wine was brought, and. having
lighted our cigars, "" sat for some mo-
ment> IN silence.
Il WAS just thinking 1T length,
he said, what curious things happen at
times. and how strange it is that We
should have 50 often met III this town. "
"Wrll. that Is singular, captain;
was thinking of the very same thing,
and
"Now. for instance, today at the
bank, where | went 10 change note, the
stupid fellow kept me most Unconscion-
able time
"Iudr~l, l said, they have gen
orally been very quick with me, and my
sums WEI heavy / replied, keeping up
my a 5mAed character of travelling col
lectUr.
"Iud"cE | lid not notice. / sup
pose generally speaking, the transactions
OF YOU commercial gentlemen are rather
heavy
VERY, and We want to be quick
about them"
And Won carry at times large sums Of
money about with you:"
"Thousimls. Now | at this present
time have
"What?" lie said, taking mp his
glass III It careless manner.
But little
"Ah. well, that is fortunate in one re-
spect, ana unfortunate in another
WHY so?'
Why so?'
Becauo" If You We're robbed the loss
would not br great; bat that is not like
" now. In the olIcn time il vas a very
common thing to read it, but with you
gentlemen. there is no chance Of being
Lost, stolen, or straycd.
"Not much; vet at the present there
is one Of our fraternity missing"
cave, indeed, and raising himself
from lolling position be assumed, the
words had just uttered seemed to cx-
cite his attention. "You interest me.
Pray tell me
"Oh. with al my heart 1t was about
Christmas last year, and old Foster was
about his rounds, when he was suddenly
missed, and, what is stranger still, has
never been heard OF since.
"Blcss me, how strange Pray III
what part WITS he travclinG?"
"WcIl, We have heard 1t was in these
parts. His last letter, indeed; was dated
from this very town, from here, but he
gave his principals to understand that
he should 20 nortbward; from that time
to tins he has never been heard of.
"That is strange, too; he was man
very well known, ] should imagine"
livery He always kept up hif
Christmas in the good old-fashioned
stvle among his children and grand
children, and was never known to b,
absent from the family dinner; and 81
exact was he to the minute, that he wal
generally known by the name Of 'Olt
Punctuality,' but for once lie did no
keep his word.
"Had he much money with him?
said the captain, carclessly.
"Six or eight thousand" said
81 suppose a reward WIS Offercd?"
ooh, yes, and search made down il
these very parts. Why, you must hav,
heard Of it.
"No, ON my honor; live more thai
ten miles from here, and my house is a
least mil" from the road. / live there
almost the life Of hermit, my only
companion Il housekeeper, rough
surly gardener and haIf-grown IDIOT,
fellow, half gardener, half hostler; he
sides, | am often, except III the hunting
season, away for weeks together"
"Ah well, SUPPOSE You were ava,
al that time"
"Decidcdly yes. spent my Christ
mas at New York, and have not beer
long home, and SO never heard anything
of this poor man whose name was"
"Fustcr."
"Ayo Foster, poor old fellow; bu
isn't it likely that he might have made
mistake and gone abroad?"
"Nn, Captain Williams" ] sale
warmly, ait is not at all likely. He Wa
the very soul of honor and probity; III
sides, lac was rich, and had no motive
You have wrouged him, / assure you"
&" Have /, well then, L reg his pardon
he said, with a sort Of mock gravity.
NO, no, there has been foul pla,
AL, perhaps, sooner or later it will |
brought to light"
with all my heart; but as the obie
is rather Il gloomy one, suppose v
change it, eh j think that heard yo
say that your time was up to-day"
eyes; but ! have got an obstinate ma
10 deal with, and am afraid shall III
get away until tomorrow night"
"To-noTow night; and your ne
town is"
"About twenty miles off; and so VIII,