The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1888-02-16

hlbited on the track, when my atten-
ton was directed to a splendid pair Of
bays driven by a colored groom; thew
looked SO like the pair I had lost that I |
took advantage of the first opportunity
to critically examine them, and from
certain peculiar marks soon satisfied |
myself they were the identical pair of |
horses the oily hunch-back had three
years before driven from my stable.
Finding the owner. inquired of him
how he came to find such beautiful
matches. and so like familiar pair
that l once owned.
81 bought them in Cincinnati" said
he. from an importer of blooded stock.
This was q picked pair from his impor-
tation which he had reserved for his
special use; but urgent business calling
him to Europe, and not caring to leave
them in hired hands necessitated his
selling.
Il bought the pair for $1,000, and
have many times been offered more
than double that money, but $1,000
would not tempt me. They have beauty
and speed, and are to-day the fastest
double team in the State"
''Could you describe the man from
whom You bought them?' / asked.
Yes" said he, ''the man from whom
purchased was medium sized. appar-
entity forty years of age, with hair
quite gray prematurely, I should
think-and his general appearance
clerical. One would not have taken
him for a stockman. He was well in
formed and one of the most agreeable
conversationalists / ever met"
l explained my part in the history of
the horses and how I lost them. He
ignored my belief that they were the
same horses, but brought forward
such overwhelming evidence in proof
of my ownership that he agreed to sur
render.
l paid him 81, 900, the amount which
received from the rogue, feeling that
be was the more injured of the two.
and received back my team, mutually
agreeing to spend another thousand, if
necessary, in bringing to justice our
thief; for we were persuaded that the
hunch-back, the twin brother and the
clerical-looking person were one and
the same individual.
A minute description was gwen to
detectives in the various large cities OF
our country; police reports were care
fully read, but nothing from our man
could be discovered. Finally. believing
that he had been picked up under some
assumed name and imprisoned. had
almost allowed the matter to fade
from my mind. when one winter. my
health failing me, needed the advice
of my physician and went to Florida.
In st. Augustine I took board at a sort
of select hotel, patronized principally
by Northern families wintering there
for health and pleasure, and all of them
representatives of wealth. Among the
guests at the dinner table my first
evening there, was young lady oi
rare beauty and engaging manners tc
whom l was introduced as Miss Effie
Mcknight. the only daughter of 6
widow from Baltimore.
Our landLdy turned to the daughter
and said: Miss Ef1ie, have pleasing
news for you. Count Van Earl ha:
} written, engaging rooms, saying WI
may expect him in day or two"
, At this announcement the count be
. came the topic of conversation, and
J saw in the pleased smile which flittet
across Miss Effie's face that the count!
coming interos q! her particularly; ant
| in the two days preceding his arrival
l noted the eager interest she took il
| every thing pertaining 10 him. :.
have often thought that the pursui
} of any coveted object up to the yer,
, eve of its possession is the most bliss
| full state of human existence; there i
nothing in the possessing of that objec
that even approaches the dreamy, hope
, full, happy longing for the time to com
when the cherished idol of our heart
will be ours to hold in eontentment.
But this aside, Count Van Earl,
learned, had not only an immense for
tune, but was heir prospective to al
: extensive landed estate in England AM
e Wales. He was an Oxford gradual
} and had taken an extra course in Edin
burgh. His travels had taken in ever
point of the compass. and he talke
like book about the beauties of Sibe
A rian wilds and the splendor of Orienta
e skies; he had touched the mold all
! must of ancient tombs, and wake
. with the Turk among his moder
: graves; in fact, this titled scion of nc
t bility was so promising an acquisition
to our select circle that it was not SUI
!, prising to see an extra display of silve
!. on she table for the greeting of th
t count.
$ remember well the morning of hi
{ arrival. My room opened fronting tn
hall, and as he ascended the broa
J. stairway in company with his valet,
: | 2f his F,oa II xyoS ri,