Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-08-03
MYSTERY OF OLD FORT
FINDLAY.
By JENNIE HENDERsoN.


Ohio. on the banks Of the raging Blanch-
ard, lust, here that noble river takes q
bend 20 the norfhvest. was Fort Findiay.
This fort was built in an early day. as q
protection against the hostile Indians. that
then inhabited che country. It had moi
been Inhabited for long time, and wnl
surrounded by large forest, The few
settlers OF the country believed this fori
70 be haunted. Strange stories were
told concerning Il. One man had heard
soft strains OF music. while passing 1t IN
the nieht. Another had seen strange
lights in the cellar, and others had told
OF strange things seen and heard there.
until some people would 90 miles out OF
their way to keep from passing H..
At last the people were startled oy a
rumor that the old fort was being re-
paired and furnished. This rumor Afford
ed them plenty Of ssgossip, until the fu-
ture occupants OF the fort arrived. They
came on a hot. dusty afternoon. and
were three In number. Their names
were as follows: z. r. Blanchard, Edith
Blanchard, and Harry McClain. Mr..
blanchard was a tan, dark man OF about
forty years, and impressed every one on
first meeting, with the fact that he was
o born rascal.
Harry Mccain was Just the oppositel
In the first place he was q gentleman In
all his manners. He was tall. finely
formed, and light completed. His faith
er and mother died when he was very
young, leaving him in the possession Of
a large fortune.
Mr.. Blanchard heard of this. and being
a distant relative, offered to Harry to be
a father to him knowing. the while that
hc would share in his great wealth. For
this purpose be was very kind to him,
and tried in every way to please him.
Edith B. was very beautiful, and between
her and Harry, a strong attachment ex-
listed which, as they grew older, strength
ened into love. and resulted In an en-
gagement, two months before their ar
rival ut the fort. Mr.. Blanchard really
and truly loved his daughter. who was
in fact, all that he did love, except his
wine and money.
They passed the first night at an old
log cabin used as an inn. The next
morning Mr.. Blanchard furnished hor-
ses to convey them to their new home.
as that was the only means Of convey
ance in these days, excepting OK carts.
Edith and Harry were sitting in the inn.
waiting for the horses, when two rough
looking men entered. They were dressed
after the Indian fashion, with blue hunt
ing shirts and moccasins. But the plain
ness OF their dress did not disguise their
true character, for the character of the
villains was imprinted in every feature.
One was taller than the other, and bet
ter looking. When he saw Edith, he
cast bold look Of admiration from his
piercing black eyes. He looked at her
full minute, then turning to 90, he
said:
She's trump, amt she? I think I
will find out who she is, but 1 guess it is
Edith Blanchard. daughter of the man
who is going to occupy the old fort.
Harry was very indignant at the inso-
lent stranger, and would have followed
him, had not Edith restrained him. So
he attributed it to their rude, and uu.
couth character, little thinking that he
would have to deal with them in the fu-
ture as accomplished scoundrels. The
horses coon arrived, and they started to
their new home. Edith's heart sank
within her when she saw the fort where
she was to live; but loving her father
dearly. she determined to overcome her
feelings, for his sake. Being lover of
nature she knew she could find solace by
roaming through the forest, and fishing
on the banks of the river. As the days
passed, she grew more attached to her
wild home. and declared she would not
exchange IL for ell the grandeur she had
left In the East. Her father, in former
days, had been wealthy.
But through extravaganza his fortune
had been reduced to nothingness! Then
being implicated in crime, he had to
flee the country.
Mr.. Blanchard not wishing Edith to
know Of his implication in the crime,
told her he was going west to retrieve
his fortune, and as he had no money, he
was compelled to ask Harry for q Ger.
tain sum to enable him to escape. When
he told Edith OF his intention she refused
to remain. Her father told Of the rough
place where they would have to live,
but 1t had little effect on her, and ut last
he permitted her to 20. She had not
pictured the west as desolate and wild
as he found It, and at first he was down.
hearted. Harry had made everything
as comfortable as possible, and the old
fort presented better appearance inside
than it did without. One day when
Edith was fishing down the rirer, she
crossed to the opposite side. She had
been fishing long time and did not no-
tice how late it was. Suddenly she
looked up, and to her surprise, the sun
had set. She gathered up her things pre-
prratory to leaving, when she saw a man
As he drew near to her
she recognized the stranger
she had seen at the inn, She did not
like the appearance of this man, although
she did not know him. She tried to be
very calm; when he asked very politely,
IL he could row her across the river. She
him in a clear firm voice:
mo, / thank you, sir. always row for
myself, and can get along without any
But. he persisted, 'you have an un.
usual load tonight, and it will be dark
before you reach home.
Edith made all the excuses possible,
but still the stranger persisted. AT last
The consented. and after assisting her
INTO the boat he pushed from the shore.
He did not row across but down the river.
Where are you taking me?' asked
Edith. MY home is not in this direction,
,ut just the opposite"
4 knew exactly where you live, Miss
hereplied, his eyes cleaning.
I have watched you day after day ever
,ince you came here. Never have you
ished or roamcd through these woods |
lone, for have been near you. I have
watched for opportunities to meet You,
nut have always failed until to-day.
Now you need not look 80 frightened, Il
I'M not going to kill you or do anything
|anroroua NIL want Ia this. II sxranf