The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-01-22
A MATcHLEss ImPosToR.
INsw rotk Dispaich.J

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ISsw rotk Dispaich.Js
Within the writer's recollection there
stood In Ovsrgate, Dundee, Scotland,
an old dwelling Of curious architecture
IL was several stories in height, and at
one corner was round tower contain
ing a staircase, In the middle of the
last century this was the residence of
the Hauck family Henry Hauck was
n Hollander, who settled in Dundee
about the year 1900. and introduced a
new method of manufacturing sail-cloth.
He grew wealthy and acquired much
property. In 1881 he died, and was sue
ceeded by an only ron. This son re-
moved to the dwelling already men
toned, and was equally prosperous as
his father. He died In I 75O, and left
son and daughter. The latter died,
but the son continued in the same
place and business, and, dying in 1881,
left his property to his two sons, John
and Henry, who were twins, and at the
time of his death, in their twenty-second
year. While Henry, however, received
the bulk Of the estate and the business,
John was to receive emily certain sum
in money, for John was dissipated and
vi utpE8f6u uhDilS, anu IL W dS bdlu budb
his mother died from the effect of beat
ing which he gave her because she ex-
postulated with him on his conduct. Be
this as it may, soon after his fathers
death his brother gave him the large
sum Of money which his father had be-
queathed to him, and he went to Hol-
land ostensibly to act as paid agent for
the firm.
For some tims he appears to have
Conducted himself with unusual pro-
priety, and was so successful in business
matters that his brother came to place
great confidence in him. In 1884 he
wrote to his brother Henry, informing
him that he had it in his power to make
large purchases Of fax and hemp on
most advantageous terms, but that to
do this he must have funds at his dis
possi. Henry % once provided for
this, and John drew large sums on
lettersof credit Then he disappeared,
and 1othing was heard of him for years.
Ia the meantime Henry married Miss
Newall, and having built handsome
residence up town near whatis now
known ~ Perth Road, removed there.
The name had come TO be spelt Hawk,
and the spot were the new residence
was built was named Hawkhill, by which
name il Is known TO this day.
Henry Hawk took his wife's brother
into partnership. After the new
partner had become sufficiently fami-
liar with the business, Henry resolved
TO visit Antwerp and other modern
ports, and put his business relations on
q better footing. There were no steam
ships in those days, and he had to cross
the German Ocean in q asmack, which
ran as regular packet. He had
delayed his going on account of the
health of his wife, and did not start
until June 10, 1885, six weeks after the
birth Of their first child-a son-whc
was born on May Sd of the same year.
On the evening Of the day on which
Henry Hawk sailed one of the domestic
rushed into the house from the garden
where she had been spreading clothes
to bleach, and exclaimed:
Good sakes, guide us! I've JUS
seen my master looking in at the
"Say not word" one of the oldest
servants said, or il will alarm you
mistress, for she will think it is wrath
and that something has happened tc
him. g8I
But Mrs. Hawk heard the exclama
ton N she was coming down the stairs
and entering the kitchen, she inquired
what it meant ! ,..l-...
was STOPPING to lay out the
clothes" the girl said, "and happening
to look up, saw the figure of a man a
the great gate. was startled, bu
looked again, and then saw my mas
ter's face distinctly, all pale and hag
gard"
Mrs. Hawk restrained her feelings ant
said:
"Iesyour fancy, girl; what else Cal
II be2 Your master is beyond the Bas
Rock by this time, with fair wind an'
a clear sky ~,
Three weeks later Mr.. Dewar, VIII
had q sailoft ON the Legate, called q
the Office Of Hawk & Newhall.
" Where's Mr.. Hawk?' he asked.
Why, he's been gone since las
june" answered Mr.. Newhall.
"Gone since last Junep Mr.. Dewa
exclaimed "gone whereT
" To Antwerpt," was the reply.
"That Is strange" said Mr.. Dewa
taking out q pocket-book and turnin
the leaves. 5igail1 q L
what N there strange about 1tT
Mr.. Newhall said.
Why on July 2 got note fror
Henry bT a messenger asking me to sen
him El20 10 use for an emergency, and
sent 10 TO him." 60 lr-' 90
Mr.. NewhalI stared at his visitor
wonder, but Mr.. Dewar not only Shove
him the entry in his pocketbook br
produced the letter, which so far as an,
one could say was in Henry Hawk
handwriting.
Neither OF them could explain Il
mystery, but both agreed that for Ii
present and, in fact until Henry's returl
nothing had better be said about the r,
markable circumstance.
On August IL the packet returne
from Antwerp without Henry Hawl
She brought a bundle of letters, hov
ever, for Mr.. Newhall, which were dul
delivered mt the Office. Two addresse
TO Mrr. Hawk, in her husbands writin
were given to boy who started up Il
Overgate with them toward Hawkhill.
At that time there were few dwelling
on the 0vergate above Fay street, q
beyond being open country, with the e.
ception of few residences here an
there. As the boy passed Tally street
big burly man, dressed as sailor, can
out of dramshop, and, crossing Il
street, walked up Overgate on the opp