The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-04-08

somewhat aged, and in feeble health.
His hair and beard were long and white,
and he carried staff, on which he APP
peared to lean heavily. His clothes
were good, but apparently of foreign
make, and his whole appearance some
what careless and unfinished.
"That man." said /, "is bogus
structure, made up for some special oc-
casion."
The information / was able to get in
answer to my inquiries in regard to the
mysterious Dutchman was that he had
been spending a part of his time in that
vicinity for the last two years, and was
known as Colonel Won Schroeder. He
was said to have fled from Germany in
consequence of political troubles, leav-
ing his family there, and hence was
alone in this country. His business
consisted in supplying peddlers and
small dealers with cheap jewelry of
every description, he being sort of
wholesale jobber in that line. Occa-
sionally he had been known TO offer ar
ticles of that sort at retail but he
spoke English very imperfectly, and
was not disposed to talk with strangers
on any subject, nor with his customers
any more than was required for the
transaction of business.
At the express Office found they
knew the old gentleman very well, and
considered him a worthy and responsible
person. He was in the habit of receiving.
also sending out, G.. o. D., considerable
quantities of goods-jewelry, as they
understood and believed. He was, in
short, sort of general distributor of
that class of wares, most of which, as
was supposed, were received from Ger
many.
| soon became satisfied that the old
Dutchman, or whatever he might be,
was an active and veritable dealer in
cheap iewelry, and that his frequent
visits to that place were not only osten-
sibly but really connected with that
business. But might he not, at the
same time, have another business, COW
cred by this and kept out of sight?
/ now made myself known to the
Judges and other officers of the courts,
also the Chief of Police-about dozen
persons in all-requesting and receiving
from each promise that no intimation
of my character or business should be
given to any one else. | soon discOv-
cred, however, that so far as related to
the mysterious Dutchman that promise
had been Immediately disregarded by
some one. He was evidently watching
me, and giving me wide berth at
every turn. On two or three occasions,
when accidentally approaching me, he
had changed his course, evidently for
the purpose of avoiding me. The looks,
however, that he turned upon me, even
from, q 6iStonoa cbouaI ,,laipIu anounh
that he was cursing me in his heart.
"Well, Mr.. Rulison," said the Presi-
dent Judge of the court, about week
after 1 made his acquaintance, "have
you seen or heard of any one yet whom
you suspect"
"Who is that Colonel Won Schroeder
Judge" l asked, "who is dropping in
and out of the city occasionally, in re.
gard to whom almost every one seems
to know something, and yet there is 6
mystery about him that impresses me
f unpleasantlyp"
q scarcely know what to make o.
him." was the Judges reply. Il have
seen him two or three times, but l have
, never spoken with him. Sheriff eros
by, suppose, knows more about hin
, than any one else in the city. He be
, came acquainted with the Sheriff soor
) after he came here, and, believe, fire
' quently calls at his residence and leave
! packages of goods, also money there
Y when he is away; but he is evidently
r feeble and harmless old man.. You
SURELY" added the Judge, with laugh
a edo not suspect the old Dutchman o
Y being the man you are trying to find
Sheriff Crosby, if you speak to him il
q regard to the old man, will, think, re
q move any suspicion of that sort at once
q He told me on several occasions of hi
| perfect confidence in Won Schroeder
, and that he knows him to be a worth,
? and honest man.
0 had already seen and talked witt
: the Sheriff, and taken him into my con
1 fidence, but without limiting anything il
: regard to the Dutchman. Now, how
|. ever, l determined to do so at once.
My first intimation of suspicion wa
Z met with derisive laugh, covering, a
: l thought, malignant sneer.
a Colonel Won Schraeder," said tn
n Sheriff, sis as honorable gentleman a
Q there is on the continent. He is wort
}. twenty thousand dollars, at least; Their
o is nothing wrong in regard to him. H
v often calls at my house, and has, in fact
8 small room there, in which he deposit
IS packages of jewelry, and ANYTHING h
may be disposed to leave. No, sir,
II added the Sheriff, after giving these an
p few other explanations which SCENE
: easy and off-hand, "there is nothing i
1 that man to justify suspicion of wrong
He is honorable and upright, pursuin
4 an honest business, and would defen
n him with my life"
. Strangely enough l was not satisfied