The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1889-04-06
Stolen From the squire's Safe.

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Dame Nature smiled tenderly dowr
upon the quiet little village of Har
rodsburg and the huge red ball O
fire in the west was about seeking
rest in its bed Of gold.
Outlined vividly against the fiery
sky and on a little eminence was
the mansion of old Squire Hawkins
the richest man for miles around
That solitary figure, plodding along
with bowed head, was the squire
himself, and he was talking to him
self as he walked slowly along in
the twilight.
His face wore a sad, contempla.
tive expression. "Just a year ago
to-day" he was saying. Il wonder
where he is tonight, poor misguided
boy;;" and a deep sigh escaped his
lips. Then his face grew stern as
he muttered:
Anything but thief. I cannot
forgive a robber, even though he be
my own son. One hundred dollars,
too. Pity he didn't take more. 1t
might have served him in good
stead just now," and the old man
laughed bitterly.
He was thinking of his son Harry,
bright, happy lad, but trifle wild.
He had had no mother to counsel
him, no mothers love to shield him.
One morning the old squire
awoke to find that his safe had been
robbed during the night. A paltry
500 had been taken and by some
one who knew the combination.
Harry had disappeared. Both he
and his sweet sister Ethel knew the
combination.
Suspicion at once attached to
Harry, and when he returned home
week later, unwilling to account
for his absence, the angry, honest
squire drove him from the house.
It was this that the squire was
thinking about.
Suddenly the Squire stopped and
looked around. The low mono
tones of conversation sounded on
his ear. Walking slowly ahead and
turning into the road leading to his
mansion, the old man saw a sight
that brought back all the bitter
feeling of that night a year ago.
There was his son Harry, and
clinging to him, with her head bur-
led on his shoulder, sobbing con-
vulsively, was his sweet, innocent
Ethel.
Sister and brother were so alb
sorbed in each other that they no.
ticed not the approach of the old
farmer until his sharp voice broke
the stiffness:
"Ethel !"
They started. Ethel ran to her
father. Harry hung his head guilt
lily, although he knew not what for.
"Ethel," repeated the old squire,
II am astonished and amazed to
find you out here on the public road
and in the embrace of a thief" said
the Squire, kissing out the last
word.
Like flash Harry's head went
up in the air.
"Do YOU mean me, sir?' he asked
his eyes blazing and his fist clenched
II mean you," slowly said the
old man.
A dangerous light came into the
young mans eyes, and he strobe
towards his father with uplifted fist
Harry" piteously cried Ethel
"restrain yourself"
Harry's eyes softened and his
hand dropped slowly to his side.
"Were it not for her sake l would
have choked that word down your
throat" he said hoarsely. II am
no thief (prondly) and l pray that
heaven will some day help me prove
my innocence"
"Ethel, sister, good-by. Good-by
sir" to his father, and the young
man strobe rapidly away in the fast
gathering darkness.
The Squire gazed after him until
lost to sight. Not muscle of his
stern face relaxed.
"Go into the house, Ethel. / for
bid you ever to meet him again."
Poor Ethel, who idolized her bro
ther, would fain have run after and
assured him of her faith in his in.
nocence, but she slowly dropped
her head and walked sorrowfully
back to the house.
The squire retired to his room
and soon the house was dark and
still.
Morning dawned bright and
cheerful. The old squire arose late
AS was his custom he looked to his
safe first, and it seemed to be al
right. He opened it, and after 6
hasty look sank back with a gasp
"Robbed again." he exclaimed
"and by that young villain. On,
knew that his visit BODIED no good
Every cent gone," as he looked
eagerly into it.
Ethel seized the lamp and started
for the door.
Hastily putting on his coat anc
hot .he snmmoned A servant.