Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-11-03
UNDER SUSPICION.

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.
"a queer business" said the miller,
shaking his dusty head solennly, 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 can't suspect a
single soul. ! put the money in tin
box, and l put that among lot of other
boxes in the cupboard, waitin till /
could go to the bank with it, an 10 and
behold when went to get it ont yes
terday there wasn't a single sign Of box
or money. Ican't understand it."
Neither can |, neighbor, said Greene,
running brawny hand over his shock
of untidy hair; neither canL But do
think ye set too much store by that
young man ye've took into your house.
an mebbe ye've mistook him. He's 3
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, "but
mebbe Pm talkin too fast, but it's
mighty curious, and one don't know
what to think"
''One might try to think nothin that
weren't charitable" said the miller
gravely, "an Idon't suspect the lad.
It's more'n I'd like to lose, for it takes
a time to earn it. But young Levoe
didn't have nothin to do with the stealin
mo more'n you or mean I'd rather
people wouldn't kinder hint he had"
"'Taint in nature not to think it sesin
he's a stranger, an nobody knows what
or who he is; an he has fine ways with
him an talks like schoolmaster," said
Greene stubbornly. II 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 q seed of
doubt behind him; and when has such
seed not found soil to nurture it until its
fruit hung heavy on the giant tree
which shadowed friendship or dark
ened forever 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 hand in the mill,
and hired Dick, taking him as a boarder.
The young man had slime 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 year at
boarding school, could be instructed by
him.
"Pll just keep my eyes open an not lot
on for awhile" thought the miller, "but,
as Greene said, who else could have stolen
the money!
He perceived no change in Dick, nc
confusion, no sign of guilt, but greatly
to the good mans CONSERVATION he dis.
covered something else. The young mau
was in love with pretty Jennie, and she
was fully conscious of the fact.
which the miller did not care to meet.
He was pondering over it one day,
three weeks after the robbery, wher
Glavin of the Hollow called and paid
him ten pounds which had been due
some time.
II hear your house isn't a very secure
place for money" said Glavin, with Q
smile, "but hope nobody will walk of
with this while you're asleep"
I'm take care of that" answered the
miller, conscious that Dick could hear
81 don't calclate on bein robbed twic,
by the same person, and I've got ovel
thinlsin everybody I meet is honest
Good day, sir Much obliged"
Glaven departed and the miller wen
into the house.
Jennie was singing softly as she sewet
at 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 tn,
ten pounds, frowning as he did so.
.srl1 send that fellow packin soon
whether / find him stealth or not" h,
muttered. "It amt none too comfort
able feelin to know you've got to loci
up every shilling you get, and not tel
anybody where you put it,"
sHe ate his supper that evening in 81
1ence, Jennie and Dick chattering in
cessantly, and Mrs. Jameson told abou
every ache and pain that racked th
woman she had been to visit.
But the miller could only wonde
whether or not that frank, manly fac
and those CHEEKY tones of his employs
belonged to knave and scoundrel.
'.An Jennie and him seemed to under
stand one another far too well, /" he sc
liloquized. II used to like the lad, bu
I'd as lief see my girl care for old blin,
Jack, the fiddler as this fine gentleman
AS Greene says, he's too fancy abou
himself to be honest. I've often hear,
the greater the rascal the more genteel
an guess I'll load the rife"
He did load his rifle, and placed it nea
his bed, telling his wife that he awarn'
going to lose any more money, but th
first one that came for dishonest pur
poses would lose his life."
Mrs. Jameson was very nervous con
corning the proximity of the rifle; sh
begged her husband to put it farthe
away, declaring he might touch it in hi
sleep, "an make the thing 20 of, !" an,
probably kill her.