The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-01-29
poor thief hiding from the wrath of the

] GutAh vi SOAiSshihS W hSiP AhO. nilu
out and told her the situation, omiting
the names, however, because a secret is
a secret, and a woman can't keep one.
She thought for awhile. and finally sug-
gested what I called a dandy scheme
and one which / have worked since with
success. / was smart at figures and
wrote a good hand-why not become a
clerk in the big Office / was talking
about, and find out how things work.
edp"
Nellie, you're q genius!' exclaim.
ed I. as Rugged her and made fol
my hat.
That's nothing newri replied she,
women arc always smarter than men.
How many times have / fooled you,
Mr.. DelectiveP'
"Once! replied /. But am content
to remain fooled!'
81 went to the Chiefs Office and ex-
planned the matter to him, and Mr..
Goodrich was sent for. and, on arriy-
ing, the plan was unfolded to him. He
agreed. and arrangements were made
whereby | was to enter his Office rs a
clerk under the name of Edward Tur-
ner, a friend of Mr.. Goodrich, who had
seen better days
THAT wasn't Il bad scheme for a
woman to get up!" remarked the land
lord. The interested circle assented
to y man.
1.-The following morning, after a
chat with Mr.. Goodrich, I entered the
Office and was introduced to the sus.
pected men as an assistant. l depend
ed a great deal on my knowledge of
criminals to detect the guilty person
by his manner bat l was wofully dis
appointed. Merritt greeted me kindly,
and in his fresh voice said: Glad to
meet you, Ed; I'll try and make
things pleasant Graves greeting,
if anything, was warmer than Mer-
ritt's, and both men looked so limo
cent that / was completely laid out,
figuratively speaking. | was placed
as an assistant to Graves, who was
bookkeeper and cashier. From him
/ learned that Merritt had access to
the check book as well as himself. AS
q rule it was kept in the safe, and was
very seldom left about the desks. 1
studied both mems handwriting, and
in a few weeks became quite familiar
with their fists so well, in fact, that
| could recognize them anywhere.
.'Mr. Goodrich had secured the check
by accident. He had gone to the bank
one day himself, when Graves was alb
sent, and it had been presented to him.
Knowing that the parties to whom the
check had been made payable were not
creditors of his firm, he made inquiries
and learned that they had not collected
the money. The number OF the check,
which Mr.. Goodrich retained, was 72a,
and my first object was to examine the
writing.
Don't you think it resembles Mer-
~ritt's?' asked Mr.. Goodrich. and | was
compelled to confess that did.
# u l1OIiISIlt L 1Oltllu llltil bllS CutCh
was bogus I examined the stub said
Mr.. Goodrich. To my establishment l
found it properly carried out! The
writing was the same! But when l
looked for the signature I found that an
attic mpt had been made to mutilate it.
A couple of zigzag lines were drawn
through it from side to side. The sig
nature was in black, while the lines
were apparently fresh. The ink had
not yet dried!'
This was puzzling, and l became
more confused than ever. Mr.. Good
rich went on: What leads me to the
impression that it was Merritt is this
reason: Graves had been i'll and at
home for two days. and he could not
have made the scratches. 1t was i'm.
possible! Tho check book was in The
safe until he returned!'
This was indeed n staggercr. and al
doubts as to young Merritt's guilt lef'
my mind. The old gentleman continu.
ed: While the proof is almost damnine
against William, l have something with.
in me that tells me that he is innocent!
Would to God that my feeling were
Justified
II returned TO my desk discouraged
l knew that the old gentleman's onl,
pun. pose was to find some means where
by his intended son-in-law could b.
cleared of the fearful charge.
II struck off on y new plan the mex
day. For a week / did nothing ut night
but trace up Graves and Merritt!
actions after business hours. Graves
found was n model of a husband. He
very seldom went out at night. and whel
he did his wife accompanied him. II
vain did l try to get something to faster
on him. He did not gamble and HI
was not q stock dabbler. He lived nice
ly, but cheaply. and his apparel wa
plain. But Mcrritt-poor fellow! HI
went to thcatcrs; he went IN larks; HI
drank a little, and he played cards
And he had but $50 a month, too!
was afraid to tell his guardian what
had learned, but l did so. The old MAJ
seemed crushed, and ] retired quickl,
from his private office to my stool
That evening he left a note on NJ,
desk stating that he wished to see me
After Graves and Merritt had gone
stepped into his office, where | fount
him contemplating the check book.
."This is the last advice l shall ask o
YOU said he. Are you still of thu
opinion that Will mean Mr.. Merit