Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-02
WHO WAS THE ROBBED

| pricked up my ears as L heard the
words. Two men had halted not five
yards distant, and were discussing
something of seeming Importance.
l sat tilted back in my old-fashioned
armchair lost in reVerie, or had been
lost in one till the words opening this
story fell on my ears, rousing me to
sense of surroundings.
NV half-burnt cigar had gone out,
and / tossed the stump aside and re-
garded the speakers from under the
rim of my soft hat.
They are ordinary citizens, and
seemed deeply interested in the sub
iect of their conversation.
"Will it damage Mr.. Sylvester to any
extentP"
Damage himP 1t will ruin hint"
"You don't say"
ayes, it will. Twenty thousand
don't grow on every bush. 1t was in
clean cash, too"
''And there seems to be- no doubt
about the young fellow taking the
money-the confidential clerk meanp"
'Oh, no. How can there be since
he has run awayP It's terrible blow
to the old man, and will startle the
community. OF course the thief will
not stop this side of the British line.
It's case of misplaced confidence, as
i said, and there seems to be no re-
dress"
mo redressP / should think il
would be an easy matter to follow and
capture the young villain"
mot so easy as you may think.
Once in Canada the villain is safe, and
he has good twenty-four hours the
start"
The two citizens then moved on and
heard no more. was deeply inter-
ested, however. 1t was no ordinary
curiosity that moved me.
Bernard Sylvester was an old friend
of mine whom had not seen in nearly
eight years. / had heard from him in
frequently, and at these times to the
effect that he was prospecting in the
Western town where he had made his
home.
Late on the previous evening /
landed in Goldburgh for the first time.
put up at the best public house in
the little Western city determined
to visit my old friend on the morrow.
While smoking my after-breakfast
cigar, | overheard the conversation
Just given. 1t referred to the friend
l had come out of my way to visit.
| resolved to go at once and pay my
respects to Mr.. Sylvester. I came to
my feet and hurried away. | had pre-
viously examined the directory and
learned the number and street where
my friend resided.
/ had no difficulty in finding the
house, brick dwelling of considera-
bic pretensions. i found Bernard Syl-
vester in the dumps truly. He was
glad to see me, however, recognizing
me at once.
/ noticed that he had aged a good
deal since last looked upon his hand
some face. Soon after the first greet
ings were over he told me his misfor-
tune.
81 brought the money into the house
last night, and put it in the safe,'' he
exclaimed. 81 don't often leave so
large sum here over night, but
thought it safe enough for few hours
at least, and intended putting it in the
bank to-day"
You think your clerk took the
money!"
"There can be no doubt of it"
''Was he not trustworthy"
"Allen Grey trustworthy Sir, I
would have staked my life on his in
tegrity till this came out"
''HOw long has he been in your en-
ployP"
More than year. l liked him i'm
mensely, and he so far presumed on
my confidence as to fall in love with
my daughter Luline. | was vexed
when | made the discovery, and it
didn't take the young people long to
discover my feeling on the subject"
Il put flea in the young mans ear
and sent Luline away"
''Sent your daughter away?"
Eyes. Since her mother died this
has really been no place for her,
Frank. sent her to an aunt in Can
ada. She's attending school there,
and l hatter myself she's forgotten
Grey before this time"
How long ago did this happenP"
six months.n
''When did you last see Allen Grey?"
yesterday. He came over at noon
to talk about business affairs, and at
that meeting l told him about the
money expected to receive. Had it
arrived little earlier | should have
put it in the bank, and then Allen
Grey would not have been tempted to
commit great crime
| soon learned enough to convince
me that the man had good grounds for
suspecting his clerk. He had put the
money in the safe, and but one person
besides himself knew the combination
that person wac Allen Grey. The
housekeeper. Mrs. Rexford, had seen
Grey at the house after the money was
received. He entered the room where
the safe stood, and remained about
twenty minutes.
In the morning. when NJ. Sylvester
went to get the package of money that
he had received the previous night by
express, he found the safe unlocked
and the key in the door.
''Are you quite sure it was not pos
sible for burglar to effect an entrance,
unlock the safe, and escape with the
money!" | asked.
81 am sure that couldn't be-" assur-
ed Mr.. Sylvester. The house was all
locked up at night, and my own door
was secured as well as the window
Neither had been tempered with. Il
is plain enough that Grey came in
early in the evening and secured the
money"
Ibid you leave the key in the safe?''
mo. l have a place for it, and