Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-02-23
SELLING A DETECTIVE.

III was q Gull day ana WAS muslnS
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 thai
over crowded work-room, month aftel
month, and longed to set her free
She was a pretty blue-eyed girl o.
twenty, with q dimple In her chin, ans
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," dark, silent
little man, with square, stern mouth
and clouded gray eyes, which seemed
almost expressionless when they were
turned full upon you, and yet which
seemed to see everything at a 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 ?"
ayes, Sir"
"Well, / now have something for you
to do"
"What il it, sir ?"
Something that will bring you both
credit and friends if you manage il
skillfully. | had intended to go my
SELF but circumstances happened I'M
tOwardly, and | shall send you in
stead"
Bending towards me and speaking
above WhHper, he told me that there
had been n series of forgeries COM
mitted with 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 skilfuly eluded all pursuit,
and was now hidden somewhere in the
northeastern portion Of the state. His
whereabouts had been learned AZ near
ly AZ 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.
Tho 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;
ado you think you can do it2' Mr..
Clenner asked after the whole thing had
been laid out before me.
Eyes, sir; when shall ! star:?"
"Now-within half an hour"
80 soon?'
dyes, why not?"
Just NJ you decide, Mr.. Clanner, of
COURSE" | said, rising. "If take the
four o'clock express | shall be there by
daylight tomorrow"
"Yes, 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 |
unused upon the task before me. The
house to which ] 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 | alghted, stiff and
weary from the train, at the little station
of Drownville.
Can you direct me to Mrs. Matte
sons placer" | 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 II mile, and yen
come to a patch o woods with bars at
the fence; go through the bars n little
way further and yell see little yaller
hn,,pA inst ihn la ,Nlann in lNn ,x,nrll
where you'd expect to see a house.
That's where Mrs. Matteson lives,
thanked my informant and sci 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 houso"--a cream colored
cottage, literally overgrown with honey
suckles-rewarded my search, and as
knocked Mt the door clock somewhere
struck seven.
A decent looking elderly woman in
wi1ows weeds cane to the door.
ais MIR. Mattoson in; Mr.. Perley2"
NO." she answered quickly, with
rather confused lock. | did not be-
lieve her and asked quietly
"Wnen do you expect him home p
mot at present"
Apparently she expected me to go
away, but instead, l stepped in.
Mother" asked soft voice Mt the
head of the stairs, "who was it p
And then for the first time became
aware that some one had been watch
ing our colloquay from the head of the
stairs-a young girl, dressed, Ike her
mother, in deep black, with very bril-
liant eyes aEd II profusion of Jet black
ringlets.
Some one to see your brother"
She came half way down the stairs,
pushing back her curls with oAe hand,
and looking ri me with wondering eyes.
Even then her beauty stuck me, as l
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 i'll the secret of Mstteson's viii
lainy, and were doing their best to
screen him from its consequences.
My heart hled 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. Mstteson 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
house if Ike will; my brother is as inno-
cent as am"
No opposition was made to my
search. 1t was fruitless however,
there was nowhere any trace of the
flown bird. Nevertheless l concluded
to remain near the house quietly for a
day or two, and see what a little wait
ing might bring forth.
The same afternoon I saw Clara
Matteson standing by the window,
keeping silent watch on all the sur
roundings. Soon she said softly,
Mother thinks have been rude to
you. She says it was not your fault
personally, that you were sent here
on such a mistake, aud perhaps she is
right am sorry If I have hurt your
feelings"
The pretty, penitent way in which
she spoke quite won my heart, and a
few questions on my part seemed to
unlock the hidden recesses of her con-
fidence. She talked at first shyly, but
afterwards with more assurance of her