Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-03-01
SELLING A DETECTIVE.

~
Kitty Elton and wondering how long
it would be before | should marry
her.
She was sweet and patient, but |
knew it was hard life for her in that
over. crowded worK-room, month after
month, and I longed to set her free.
She was pretty blue-eyed girl of
twenty, with dimple In her chin, and
the sweetest roses on her cheeks
that ever inspired the pen of poet,
and it was of them was thinking when
the door opened and Mr.. Clenner came
in.
He was our "chief," a dark, silent
little man, with square, stern mouth
and clouded gray eyes, which seem ed
almost expressionless when they were
turned full upon you, and yet which
seemed to see everything at glance.
He sat down beside me.
MEREDITH" he said in quiet, sub
dued tones that was natural to him !;
didn't you say you were getting tired
of doing nothing?"
eyes, sir"
"Well, / now have something for you
to do"
"What is it, sir ?"
Something that will bring you both
credit and friends if you manage it
skillfully. / had intended to go my
self, but circumstances happened I'M
towardly, and 1 shall send you in
stead"
Bending towards me and speaking
above q whisper, ne told me that there
had been series of forgeries COM
mitted with a boldness that set the
authorities at defiance. For some
time he had been in doubt, but after
much investigation he had detected
the hidden spring, one Perley Matter
son, who had skillfuly eluded all pursuit,
and was now hidden somewhere in the
northeastern portion of the state. His
whereabouts had been learned as near
ly as possible, and it was for me to
quietly go up and apprehend him be-
fore he should be aware of our knowl-
edge of his movements.
The reward offered Was high. My
heart leaped as [ reflected how much
nearer it would bring me to Kitty Elton,
nor did the enterprise seem difficult;
do you think you can do it?' Mr..
Clenner asked after the whole thing had
been laid out before me.
Eyes, sir; when shall start?"
"Now-within half an hour"
$50 soon?'
eyes, why not?"
Just as you decide, Mr.. Clenner, of
course" / said, rising. eff take the
four o'clock express | shall be there by
daylight tomorrow"
eyes, and that is the best plan. He
will not remain long in any place just
at present, and what you do must be
done at once"
All through that long night journey l
unused upon the task before me. The
house to which l was directed was in
the midst of the woods, about half a
mile beyond the village of Drownville,
the residence of Mrs. Matterson, the
mother of the audicious forger. Ifhelp
was needed | was fully authorized to call
upon the authorities of Drownville, but
| expected to need none.
The rosydawn was just flushing the
eastern sky when [ alighted, stiff and
weary from the train, at the little station
of Drownville.
''Can you direct me to Mrs. Matte
sons placer" l asked of the station
master.
"Matteson; | don't know her, but you
just follow the main street of the vii
lage out about one half mile, and yell
come to patch % woods with bars at
the fence; go through the bars little
way further. and yell see little yaller
house, just the last place in the world
where you'd expect to see a house.
That's where Mrs. Matteson lives,
thanked my informant and set out
on brisk walk. 1t was quite dis.
lance ere / emerged from the suburbs
of the ''main street" into quiet and
secluded road, or rather lane. The
patch O. woods" with the bars and
''little WALLER house"-a cream colored
cottage, literally overgrown with honey
suckles-rewarded my search, and as l
knocked at the door clock somewhere
struck seven.
A decent looking elderly woman in
wlGow's weeds came to the door.
''Is Mr.. Matteson in; Mr.. Perley?"
No." she answered quickly, with
rather a confused lock. l did not be-
ieve her and asked quietly
when do you expect him home p
"Not at present"
Apparently she expected me to go
away, but instead, stepped in.
Mother" asked soft voice at the
head of the stairs, "who was it ?'
And then for the first time l became
aware that some one had been watch
ing our colloquay from the head of the
stairs-a young girl, dressed, like her
mother, in deep black, with very bril-
liant eyes aud profusion of jet black
ringlets.
Some one to see your brother"
She came half way down the stairs,
pushing back her curls with one hand,
and looking at me with wondering eyes.
Even then her beauty struck me, as I
stood gazing at her.
''Perley is not at home" she said
hurriedly. "He has gone away. We
do not know when he will return"
Evidently this mother and daughter
were in the secret of Matteson's vii
lainy, and were doing their best to
screen him from its consequences.
My heart bled for both of them; but it
was no time to indulge in sentimental
pity. Speaking as briefly as possible,
| told them it was my duty to compel
them to remain where they were
while searched the house.
Mrs. Matteson sat down pale and
trembling; her daughter colored high.
"Mother," she said "why do you
stand by and listen to SUCH ISLANDERS !?
1t is false. Let this man search the