Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-11-10
ACCUSED BY a CLOCK.

ACCUSED BY a CLOCK.
True Flag: 1t was magnificent in Its
carved walnut wood case, with large
enameled dial and with its pendulum
of brass, bright rs gold, passing and re-
passing before the opening covered with
a disc of glass. All who caught sight
of it through Pierrets Che clock
maker's) window stopped to gaze at
it and formed knots about his door.
Pierret, the clOcBmaker, was still
man in his thirties, but nevertheless he
was inclined to sadness and not at all
talkatiye. He had known a great sor-
row. Seven years before, while he was
serving in the army, his father had been
murdered-in this very shop now oc-
cupied by him. Who was the assassin?
On whom could he ayenge the old man,
who had never done harm to anybody
and who had been so kind to him?
Justice had failed to lay hands upon the
murderer and rObber who had carried
off $4,000 saved sou by sou by the faith
er for the son.
All researches had been fruitleSs
Pierret had finished his time of service
in the and army as soon as he was free
he returned and established himself in
the murdered mans shop, determined,
doubtless, to drive away care by labor
But it was clear that suffering was
gnaWing at his heart. At nightfal he
was seen wandering about the village
as if in search of somebody, that some
body being surely the criminal.
Time passcd-WeekS, months, years
The murder was forgotten by all save
the orphan and-other, who could not
but remember it,
Quite recently PieTet had gone to
Paris, and remained there several days
making purchases, bringing back with
him the magnificent clock, which set
everybody who saw it longing to possess
it.
Come in, gentlemen" said Pierret 10
the admiring groups who pressed closely
about the shop window.
What is the price of it?'
One hundred crowns"
Does it striker"
Certainly. Listen!
Lie CIoChildhSI CAUSED Iue Deu W
sound-clear, Sonorous, silyery.
But nobody viii buy it." said Pier
ret Il am afraid have done a foolish
thing in bringing it from Paris"
"Oh, that depends, Pierret! We are
not rich enough, but there is somebody
here Really! Whom?"
Eth! Locard- looking Locard-
who is going to marry, AMI doesn't mind
what he spends"
IF you would not mind putting in q
word for me"
with pleasure; and-who knows?-
by touching him on the side of his
vanity
You would be doing me a great SER
vice"
jacques Locard was not very much
liked, and that for several reasons. In
the first place, he had made his fortune
too suddenly. 1t had come to him from
the clouds, by the intermediary of IA
notary-oh! not of this village, but of a
long way off, over the mountains-an
Inheritance which had at once put him
at his ease, and he had increased this
by dabbling in business.
For all that he was closefsted, spoke
in a loud voice, staggered in the street,
drank heavily and had a following.
When anybody wanted to unlooSen his
purse strings for 4 bowl of punch or a
bottle of champagne they knew on
which side to deal with him. A mau
like him-the king of the country! He
wagged his head and allowed himself
to be taken in.
The thing, however, was not so easy
as it had at first seemed to be. When
the name of Pierret was pronounced be-
fore LOcard it evidently produced an
unpleasant effect on that person s
nerves. He diSlilled Pierret, that was
clear. Well, everybody is free to like
or dislike according to his impressions
is he not? Pierret, a Pettifogger, an
idler! No, no; he was not that, but
even if he were, what had that to 81
with the greatest wonder that had eve,
been seen in the place? Besides it cos
nothing to look at it.
While talking Locard had drunk {
S1OI tSstl. 1lS I'LL W yet WILL, SstN
ing YES saying NO." and finally con
senting to stroll as far as the clock
makers shop, then Withdrawing his con
sent.
Why, any one would say you were
afraid to go to Pierrets-'
Afraid, [? What do l care for Pier
ret? Come on"
The little matchmaker was at hi,
bench, his magnifying glass in his RICH
eye bending over the works of watch
Certainly he was not looking at any
thing that was going on outside of hi
shop, yet he saw, very plainly observed
the approaching group, and somethin;
very much like a smile might have beer
seen to play about his lips as he did sc
He hoped for customer, and to poo
tradesman that must always be pleas
ant feeling, must it not? Oh, doubtless