The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-11-18
UNDER SUSPICION.

Something very unusual to quiet Talm-
ley had happened, and Talmley was de-
eidedly uncomfortable about it.
OF course everybody knew-as every
body knew everything in that delightful
place, where each neighbor was friend.
each friend a brother-and what the
village folk knew was this-the miller,
old Harvey Jameson, had been robbed.
GA queer business said the miller,
shaking his dusty head solemnly, and
telling the circumstance for the fiftieth
time to his neighbor, Farmer Greene,
who had dropped in to sympathize with
his old friend; nobody knew had the
money but my daughter Jennie and
young Levoe, and l can't suspect a
single soul. l put the money in tin
box, and put that among lot of other
boxes in the cupboard, waitin till
could go to the bank with it, an 10 and
behold! when 1 went to get it out yes
terday there wasn't single sign of box
or money. 1 can't understand it."
''Neither can l, neighbor, " said Greene,
running brawny hand over his shock
of untidy hair; neither can l. But do
think we set too much store by that
young man ye've took into your house,
an mebbe we've mistook him. He's a
deal too fine about his clothes an his
hands, an his hair, to be any too honest,
but" cautiously, as he saw the flush
that stole over Jameson's face, "hut
mebbe I'm talkin too fast, but it's
mighty curious, and one don't know
what to think"
Zone might try to think nothin that
weren't charitable" said the miller
gravely, ian 1 don't suspect the lad.
It's more'n I'd like to lose, for it takes
time to earn it. But young Levoe
didn't have nothin to do with the stealth
no more'n you or mean I'd rather
people wouldn't kinder hint he had"
"'Taint i'll nature not to think it seein
he's a stranger, an nobody knows what
or who he is; an he has fine ways with
him an talks like a schoolnaster, said
Greene stubbornly. Il don't like to see
you took in. neighbor, and I'm mighty
much afraid you are by that mill hand
of yourn."
Then Greene held out his hand to the
miller, who was deep in thought, and
babe him good day, and betook himself
to his duties on the farm near the mill.
But the farmer had left a seed of
doubt behind him; and when has such a
seed not found soil to nurture it until its
fruit hung heavy on the giant tree
which Swallowed a friendship or dark
ened forever a soul immortal?
In Talmley there was but one who
had not been born there, and that one
was Dick Levoe, the stranger who had
crossed his threshold six months before
to ask for employment.
Jameson wanted a hand in the mill,
and hired Dick, taking him as a boarder.
The young man had ''fne ways" as
Greene said.
He was not especially handsome, but
he was cheerful, courteous, and willing
to work, and yet, for all that, showed
unmistakable signs of having had no oc-
casion to perform any labor, at some
time not far past. He was educated
even Jennie, who had spent a year at
boarding school, could be instructed by
him.
''Il just keep my eyes open an not let
on for awhile" thought the miller, "but,
as Greene said, who else could have stolen
the money!
He perceived no change in Dick, no
confusion, no sign Of guilt, but greatly
to the good mans CONSERVATION he dis
covered something else. The young man
was il love with pretty Jennie, and she
was fully conscious of the fact.
There was a new difficulty, and one
which the miller did not care to meet.
He was bordering over it one day,
three weeks after the robbery, whcr
Glavin of uhe Hollow called and PAID
him ten pounds which had been due
some time.
Il hear Your house ism t a very secure
place for money" said Glavin, with a
smile, but hope nobody VIII walk OF
with this while you're asleep"
III take care of that answered tho
miller, conscious that Dick could hear.
81 don't calclate on bein robbed twice
by the same person, and I've got over
thinkin everybody l meet is honest.
Good day, sir. Much obliged"
Glaven departed and the miller went
into the house.
Jennie was singing softly as she sewed
at a window. Mrs. Jameson was not in.
having gone to visit sick neighbor.
Without a word the old man passed
into his chamber, and there secreted the
ten pounds, frowning as he did so.
"TI send that fellow packin soon,
whether 1 find him stealth or not he
muttcred. 1T amt none too comfort
able feelin to know you've got to lock
up every shilling you get, and not tell
anybody where you put it."
He ate his supper that evening in 81
lence, Jennie and Dick chattering in
cessantIy, and Mrs. Jameson told about
every ache and pain that racked the
woman she had been to visit.
But the miller could only wonder
whether or not that frank, manly face
and those CHEEKY tones of his employee
belonged to knave and scOundrel.
IAN Jennie and him seemed to under
stand one another far too well, he So
liloquized. Il used to like the lad, but
I'd as lief see my girl care for old blind
Jack, the fiddler, as this fine gentleman.
AS Greene says, he's too fancy about
himself to be honest. I've often heard
the greater the rascal the more genteel,
an guess III load the rifle"
He did load his rifle, and placed it near
his bed, telling his wife that he ''warn't
going to lose any more money, but the
first one that came for dishonest pur-
poses would lose his life"
Mrs. Jameson was very nervous con-
corning the proximity of the rifle; She
begged her husband to put it farther
away, declaring he might touch it in his
sleep, IAN make the thing go off" and
probably kill her.
81 never move in my sleep, so you
needn't be scared,' he told her. If l
touch the gun, you can be sure it will
go off, but I'll not touch it in my sleep.
l sleep like an honest man, | do"
So he went to bed, and thought more
of his daughter than of the money under
the carpet. However, he did think OF
his money sometimes, and in fact his
thoughts ran from that to Jennie, as the
thoughts of the money lender ran from
his ducats to his daughter.
At last he slept, but not any too
soundly; dreams visited him, and I'M
pleasant ones they were. Vision after
vision came and faded, and his wife was
alarmed beyond measure to see his I'M
conscious hands so out again and again,
perilously near sometimes to the loaded
rifle.