Sacramento daily record-union., 1882-05-13

me for :" asked Jacob timidIy, shudderine
as he saw the gulf.
"Why, my dear, good fellow" said the
large man softening, "what else on earth
| did you suppose was watching you for ?
Jacob pondered, and was silent. The
large man turned and walked ont Of the
room.
Within half an hour the President of the
insurance company came in. He said he
desired to congratulate an honest man, and
explained, mysteriously, that they were on
the right track at last. He remarked,
speaking in confidential manner, that
they had always told the folks that Jacob
was mot that kind of q man."
THANK you" said Jacob huskily.
''You and your father before you have
lived in our town too long to be treated in
this way" said the President, wiping a
tear from his eye.
The President went away.
One by one Jacobs old neighbors and
various members of the company dropped
formula the President had INDUCED in.
Each explained so fully and satisfactorily
that he had all the while told the folks that
it could not be Mr.. Wilson that did it,
that Jacob really began to wonder how it
had come about that that there had ever
been any difficulty. Jacob also gathered,
from the remarks which were made, that
some clue had been gained in connection
with the trial, and that soon all would be
made plain.
After good dinner Jacob began to feel
himself again. With an old friend and
neighbor he went up to the Capitol once
more, as matter of curiosity. He saw
another case on trial-that of suitor who
was struggling to get his rights from a
railroad corporation. He heard tho lawyer
for the railroad company allude to the
suitor as the most barefaced, unscrupulous
and designing villain who had ever per-
jured himself in that Courtroom. Look
ing at the party thus described, Jacob saw
only thin, pale face, on which anxiety
was painfully written. Jacob perceived
that his own case was only one of many,
and that in the Courtroom it had already
been forgotten.
There was no reason why Jacob should
remain longer in town. At four o'clock in
the afternoon, he and Mary were in their
wagon, in front Of the hotel, about to leave.
Just then Willie came running down the
sidewalk in great excitement. He came to
the side of the wagon, his warm brown eyes
dancing, and said, with what breath he had
left, "Oh, father, father, they have found
it all out II It's Andrew Venner, and they
have got him in jail
ANDREW Venner?" said Jacob, sur.
prised, and he added, turning inquiringly
to Mary, 81 never had any trouble with
Andrew"
Just then the large man came down the
sidewalk, walking very rapidly. He said
pleasantly to Jacob, SCOT him sure. /
told you so. By the way" he added, turn
ing back after he had passed, "did you
ever have any difficulty with Andrew Ven
ner ?"
"No," answered Jacob, "oDly he worked
for me one time, and my woman here didn't
seem to-
"Oh-oh that unspeakable wretch I"
said Mary, coloring painfully. 81 never
told anybody, and l never will, only if
Jacob
Very proper-very proper, indeed,
Mrs. Wilson" said the large man politely.
If we should need You on the trial will"
and he nodded to complete the sentence.
A boy stopped on the sidewalk, evidently
listening curiously.
"Drive on, Jacob" urged his wife, in a
furry.
William climbed in at the back end of
the wagon, and Jacob started. He had
gone but few steps when he pulled up his
horses, and calling back said:
ooh, say !"
The large man heard it, and came down
the walk to where the wagon was.
"Would you mind telling me, now that
it is all over" said Jacob pleasantly,
whether you really heard anything about
that verdict last night. or whether you told
me Just to see how l would
my dear, sir, sid the large man depre-
catingly, :" 1 beg that you will not think
that would willingly distress you by
Hullo, there is man 1 must see before
he goes" and the large man dashed off
across the street.
Jacob looked after him few moments,
then gave his horse q cut with the whip,
and started for home. Deming in April
Atlantic Monthly.