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

This seemed likely, since nights
ride would take one to the border. l
could offer but little consolation to my
friend. The loss of the money would
seriously cripple the business.
He insisted on my making his house
my home during my stay in the city,
and 1 consented.
Two days later a painful surprise
upset Mr.. Sylvester even more than
the loss of $1,000 had done.
l came in from stroll to see him
standing in the center OF the parlor
floor the picture of rage, sorrow, and
dismay.
He held paper in his hand-a tele-
gram-that trembled as he read After
a moment Sylvester handed the tele-
gram to me, with a request that read
it. I did so and found the follow
ing:
KNOX. Ontario, - 1S.-Father: Allen is
here. We we're married this morning. For
give US. We could not live apart.
"The ungrateful child! I'll disown
her for this" declared my elderly
friend, trembling with rage and mOrti-
fication. ITO think that after taking
that money, after robbing me with the
remorseless GOODNESS of a burglar, he
uses the money to visit Canada, and
rob me of my only child, my Luline.
Oh! this will kill me. The ruinl the
disgracem
He was up, wringing his hands, and
/ had not the heart to offer any sort of
consolation then. 1t was a strange
case indeed. If Allen Grey was the
one who had robbed Mr.. Sylvester he
was a man of nerve, as well as a con-
summate villain, indeed.
Shortly afssr the receipt of the tele-
gram letter came from the absent
clerk, pleading his great love for Lu-
line as his excuse for the course he had
taken. eve are coming on IN few
days." the letter said in conclusion,
"and hope and trust you will forgive
us. Luline sends her love and thou
sand kisses"
The impudence ofthe young man was,
indeed, wonderful. My friend Sylves-
ter worked himself up to a terrible
pitch of excitement, so that / feared
his sanity.
'rll have him arrested the moment
he sets foot in Goldburgh," declared
Mr.. Sylvester. He has ruined my
life, and l care not what happens
now"
A crisis was surely at hand. 1t did
seem the hight of impudence for the
runaway clerk to return after his un-
lawful acts. He must have had great
faith in his employer, to believe he
could forgive him after what had hap
pened.
The world knew of the robbery, and
there were detectives on the lookout.
It was not in reality my case, yet | was
deeply interested in the outcome, and
was at the depot when the young
couple arrived.
Allen Grey was taken into custody
at once, and his bride of less than a
week tainted on my shoulder. / look
ed into the eyes of the accused, and
there saw genuine establishment de-
picted, when he learned of what he
was accused.
81 rob you, Mr.. Sylvester, of twenty
thousand dollarsP You know me bet
ter than that
But the wronged father would not
argue the point, and the once trusted
clerk was hurried to prison without
bail.
1t was an awful blow to the young
wife, whom found to be pretty and
altogether sensible. | had remember
ed her as a child
She left her fathers house vow1ng
that she would not return while Allen
remained under the ban of his dis
pleasure.
1t was through my efforts that Luline
went back.
"If Allen Grey is not guilty he shall
90 Free" declared Sylvester, ''but am
satisfied of his guilt, andyou ought not
to defend him, Luline. This comes of
disobeying your father"
eff he proves his innocence you will
receive him back, and-and forgive US
both, father?" pleaded the daughter.
..Yes, but
"Then | am content"
I heard this much. The outcome
was somewhat surprising. All the
evidence pointed to Grey as the thief,
and it did not seem possible that he
could escape. Both father and daugh-
ler were ueeply OppIeSSeu.
1 visited Grey in prison and found
him, though deeply oppressed, willing
to talk, and what he said was given
out in perfect frankness. | was pre-
possessed in favor of Allen Grey, and
felt sorry for the fate that doomed
him. | intimated that confession Of
his guilt and a return of the money
would be the wisest course to pursue.
IAN innocent man has no confession
to make" returned the prisoner, and
with this | left him.
The day of trial came. / was on
hand to listen to the evidence, for /
was deeply interested and had delayed
my departure for some days on pur-
pose to be present
Allen Grey entered the courtroom
with firm tread. His face was pale,
and there were dark circles under his
eyes. 1t was clearly evident that he
had suffered.
The jury had taken their seats, and
the trial was about to open. [ noticed
that neither Mr.. Sylvester nor his
daughter were present, fact that puz-
zled me not little.
The public prosecutor rose and faced
the Judge.
MAY it please your Honor, we have
decided to withdraw the charges
against the prisoner at the bar"
The announcement created a sensa-
ton. l was astounded. Had the old
merchant at the last moment relented?
Could he Withdraw the case now that
it had gone to the people? 1t did not
seem possible.
The attorney for the defense was
o,1ifa Ina,,lu