Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1881-09-03

StrOlling in, l purchased a small article,
and learned from the garrulOus shop
keeper that he had just sold large
trunk. Here was new phase. The
young lady, it was generally admitted,
had great regard for the young man,
and would very probably do all in her
power to save him. Did she intend to
leave the city? That was the point to
be determined. also learned, through
proceedings which l am not called upon
to explain, that the young lady had a
private account at bank in the city
not the one where the forgery had been
committeeman took steps to ascertain
her mOnev transaction; when, to my in
finite surprise, l was told that on the
previous day she had withdrawn sum
of fifteen hundred pounds, explaining
that she wished to place it in an invest
ment OF private nature. But imagine
my establishment when learned that on
a certain day, about the time the forgery
was committed, she had lodged nine hun
dred pOunds-a hundred less than the
sum obtained by the fOrger. l now re-
solved to setm knowledge and authority
against wOman's wits, not at all hope
full of the result.
II met her in the street, where she
affected not to recognize me. l followed;
and when we came to quieter thorough
fare, she turned, and at once addressed
me by name. After some expressions Of
regret at the nature of my duties, let
her understand all knew of the case; at
the close giving threat to the effect
that might be called upon to arrest
her as an abetter to forgery. Even this
did not affect her. Another thought
struck me when saw something white
peeping from her handbasket, and I
bluntly asked her for the letter she had
just received at the general postOffice.
Without a pause, she handed me letter
bearing the pOst-mark New York. We
had suspected that the fOrger was in
America; but inquiries at the pOstOflce
had satisfied me that no letters had been
received addressed to the young lady,
and also knew that fear Of her parents
would prevent any communication be-
tween the parties. SO, when received
this letter, my labOrs seemed about end
ed; for this being the first epistle, and
the contemplated flight being taken into
account, there was every reason to believe
that the letter now in my possession
simply meant the speedy capture of the
forger. The girl bowed and passed on;
but there was something approaching a
smile on her face as she parted from me.
The letter was bulky, and the envelope
had somewhat frayed appearance as If
it had fallen into the water. with
breathless speed, like soul in chase"
L tore the envelope open, only to find
every sheet of paper perfectly blank! l
looked them over and over again, went
to the Office, and tried sympathetic inks,
obtained microscope in short, made,
every effort to satisfy myself that had
not been duped. At last, confessed that
the girl had been too much for me.
Fortunately for my peace of mind, l
had not acquainted any of my colleagues
with the slightest idea of my partial
success, so that they had no occasion to
rejoice at my DISCONTINUED discOmtit-
ure bitter; for when made inquiries the
next day, found that the bird had flown.
l instantly hurried to Greeneck-this
was before the days of Atlantic cable
only to see the large steamer sailing
away to the west. A few months after
wards, received a letter in a wOman's
hand, bearing the post mark of a little
township in the Rocky Mountains. This
was all it contained: "YOu'er a smart
fellow, but no match for loving woman.
An old envelope full of blank paper is
quite good enough for such IS you.
Had you been more civil, might have
taught you the art of re-gumming old
love letters Farewell. am quite hap
py."-Selected.