The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-09-17
A TRANSFORMATION.

certain retired detective and I. He
was in a reminiscent mood.
"No doubt you were occasionally
surprised at the termination of some
OF your Investigations" ventured to
remark. .t.r..
We'll, yes," he slowly admitted.
'"The fact is, on one occasion 1 was
more than surprised; was absolutely
dazed. EARLY in my professional ca
reer set out to find young forger
named Berry Gray, an absconded
clerk of St. Louis firm. After found
ering around for about ten weeks, I at
last located him at Austin, Tex. Not
in the town exactly, for he lived with
ayoung farmer near by.
"When trudged out to the farm I
found that the owner was Dick Clay
ton, a friend OF my boyhood, and he
received me with much heartiness. He
was unmarried, and was running a
large ranch on which he did not owe a
dollar.
'While we were chatting on the
porch, young Gray, the man Twas aft
er, came up and made few inquiries
about the work for the afternoon. He
was a straight, handsome, smooth
faced fellow, with bright brown eyes
and curly hair OF the same color.
"'Is that one OF your farm-hands?"
asked as the young man retired.
eyes" replied my friend. He
hasn't had much experience, but he
has great adaptability and is very
willing. He is OF great use to me, but
| do not assign much of the hard work
to him: as he doesn't seem very
strong.
How long has he been with your
asked.
Three months, was the reply.
u "What is his name?"
6 Berry Gray. BY the by, he's a
well-educated fellow and quite COM
panionable' A minute later I an
nounced my vocation and my GRAND.
"A1y friend did not reply at once,
his astOnishment was so great.
"'You q detective and he thief"
he gasped.
II simply nodded.
"Surely there is some mistake here
Dick Clayton said in distress, slowly
recovering from the shock.
"'No;' I declared, with positiveness.
I've tracked him every mile of the
way. Here is his photograph
'Dick Clayton looked at it stead
lastly for a few moments.
"'1ou may be right he said, but,
do you know, this thing has sort OF
knocked me endwise? Berry he call
ed, for the young fellow was just cross
ing the yard with a sickle in his hand.
He walked briskly forward.
Dick Clayton said, and he is here to
arrest you for defrauding st. Louis
firm
EThe young fellow betrayed no
emotion. His brown eyes merely
took on darker shade The look in
them as they met mine disturbed me
a trif1e, and afterward learned why.
g Il am not the party he said, in
soft, musical voice. 1T is a mistake
"Isn't your name Berry Gray?' I
asked. ..
eyes, he replied. - "
"And isn't this your Photographic
was my next question. a-.-
"He took the picture with O. start
Of surprise. He eyed it critically,
quizzical expression lowering about
his lips.
1T is not a photograph OF me-, he
said.
"'Oh, it isn't, eh?" I incredulous1y
replied. well, you are in a fix, and
you will have to get out OF it as best
you can. will have to take you be-
fore a magistrate
''He became nervous, and cast an
appealing glance at his employer, who
said.
I'm sorry for you Berry, and
sympathize with you and all that,
but can't Interfere
"Young Gray interlocked the fingers
of his shapely hands and seemed lost.
in deep thought for a little while.
You'll allow me to get ready, [
suppose he said, the brown eyes seek
ing mine in an annoyed yet fearless
way.
":Oh, Of course, replied.
"He hung the sickle on nail, enter
ed the house, and went up stairs to
his room.
"Dick Clayton and I sat on the
porch and talked for half an hour.
Young Gray didn't promise to
come back Dick remarked.
He understood, replied.
There's a rise in the ground in
the rear Of the house, and it s an easy
Jump from his window. You'll find
hin: gons.
~ II 50, he'll not go far rejoined.
"'''|YoEr confidence in him seems to
be as great as NINE was, Dick said,
With u grin.
AT the end Of ten minutes rose
and said:
'.sI'll see il the fellow has really
skipped.
His room is directly opposite the
! landing specified Dick.