Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-09-12
A PERILOUS TRUST.
The Story Of a Travelling Clerk.

uncle's dry goods store, in Whitehaven,
Pa, my employer, becoming alarmed
at the many burglaries which were
perpetrated, resolved to send ten thou
sand dollars to q bank in Harrisburg
for safe keeping.
AS he was an invalid at the time, he
concluded to intrust to me the convey
ance of his money to the bank.
l was then a young fellow of eighteen
and felt proud Of the trust reposed in
me.
When l was ready for my journey he
provided me with a loaded pistol, con
tanning two barrels, and advised me to
keep it in good condition.
Then l had an interview with his
adopted daughter, Susan, my intended
bride.
Having soothed as we'll as 1 was able
the fears she nov expressed for my
safety, I set out with a light heart on
my journey. The wallet containing nv
uncle's ten thousand dollars was in NV
inside pocket, and in another
pocket was my own wallet, which in
shape and color resembled the other.
Two days travelling by boat and
stage-coach brought me, without mis-
hap, to a Tavern within twenty miles of
my destination.
"All aboard for H%arrisburg!!" shouted
the driver of the coach, as he sprang to
his place and seized the reins of his
horses.
Two other persons only, apparently
seen at separate tables while dining,
o~+orol %b& -ol,,o1x> nf&,,, r y
One was an elegantly dressed lady of
about twenty-tive-the lovcliest woman
l thought l had e seen.
She gave a quick, flashing glance
with her magnificent eyes as she
smoothed out the rutfled folds of her
dress; then her long lashes fell, and
she blushed slightly.
Although ! had resolved that I would
be faithful to Susan, yet I could not
help admiring the beautiful stranger.
The other traveller seated opposite to
MI in the further corner of the stage,
was an old, white-haired man, with a
thick beard of the same hue, which,
with the high collar of his coat, almost
concealed his face.
Now and then, as the coach moved
on, the old man blinked at me in a half
smiling, half sleepy manner The
vehicle had passed the few houses on the
route, and was slowly going up an as
cent in the road, when the male a
senger spoke to me.
Tedious work this, "ihe remarked.
Eyes, sir,"I answered.
Have you come far?"
"Tolerably far" / replied.
Ac 7 croEo T r,aIa n c+or+1;n- l:,n1-
cry. My fellow-passenger was not an
old man. The upper edge of his wig
for it was a wig-had slipped down, re-
vealing a part of his coal-black, curly
hair!
The lady opposite to me leaned over:
then she arose and seated herself by my
side.
81 say you start" she whispered, in
ar agitated manner. perhaps you
have noticed the same thing I have.'
"You MISUNDERSTANDING" l said.
''Yes-that mans wig. Depend upon
it, he is some bad character! You are not
going to get out between this and Har-
risburg?:"'
Il had not intended o."
''For Heavens sake, do not! I should
be SO frightened to be left alone with
that man!n
And as she spoke / noticed that she
trcmbled from head to foot.
''Be not alarmed" l said.
''You will ptotect me! Oh, thank
you, sir, thank you!" she rejoincd.
With that she raised her beautiful
black eyes gratefully toward my face.
l felt tlattered and pleased tc have
this magnificent woman relying upon
me for protection, and I pulled con-
ccitcdly at the few hairs, which, in
promise of a future mustache, had be-
gun to co>er my upper lip with a faint
down.
81 have u box of valuable diamonds
in my pocket" continued my fair COM
panion. Il am afraid those are what
that man Is after. l fear he is q rob-
bcr."
THAT remains to be proved" l said;
''but, come what may, l will protect
you"
''Will you? How noble, how brave
you are, sir!!"
My heart beat fast with pride and
vanity. What would Susan say when
she should hear of my adventurc?--
how a beautiful woman and a stranger