The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-11-08
WHERE Was PASKIN :?

1lUOic WILLIE ttllll
Nearly every one of Paskin's infirmities
was directly traceable to Paskin's custom
of dining net wisely, but too WELL For
years I-more as his friend than as his med
ical adviser-had counseled him against
govt and other kindred ailments, but Pas
kin had laughed at my forebodings. He
took no exercise, yet could not deny what
he triumphantly pointed at upon every oc-
casion-i. e., the perfectly healthy condition
of his organs and his lack of excessive adj
pose tissue
/ cannot deny there were many traits in
Paskin's character that commanded affec-
tion and respect. Generally he was be-
loved by his neighbors and esteemed by
his fellow townsmen. While confessing
that should have loved him more had any
of my professional prophecies come to pass,
I was at least as shocked as any when the
news reached me one morning that Paskin
had disappeared. Moreover, his disappear
ance was enshrouded in the deepest mys-
terry.
In an incredibly short space of time the
news had spread like wildfire through the
town. Paskin, said the inhabitants, had
been captured at midnight by bandits. One
of the female aervants in the household of
the missing man had distinctly overheard
their tramp in the hail. but was too fright
ened to make cutlery. Paskin, I learned,
must have been taken from the side of his
sleeping spouse at some hour between II at
night and in she morning, for his clothing
was on a chair at the bedside, not in pre-
cisely the same position. however, as when
he had retired, because Mrs. Paskin had, in
the ecstasy of her bereavement, shaken the
trousers and examined the dressing gown
: to make sure her spouse, or at least some
portion of him, was not therein crncealed.
Careful inquiries merely ELECTED the fact
that everything had bee,l Iound-furni-
ture, doors, Windows etc.-just as the
head of the household had left it.
Summoned early to the scene, I could
perceive nothing as approached Paskin's
dwelling to- euggest the grief and agitation
which Were progressing within. On the
contrary, chambermaid was cleaning the
shutters, a sweep was making preparations
80 descend the chimney and my path to the
doorstep was intercepted by the operations
of a coal HEAVIER busily depositing his
mountain of sable wares on the sidewalk.
But then | reflected as I rang the bell
that these were the orders of the previous
day which were being carried out, and that
since the blow which had just fallen on the
family there was no one left with sufficient
spirit to cancel them. AS for my friends
wife, she was plunged into the depths of
despair, and, clinging round the red, stuffed
sofa where her lord was won't to recline
after his abominable practice of dining,
wrung her hands and wept piteously.
Having essayed in vain to comfort her, l
at once began my inquiries. The servants
were all summoned. Ellen, the cook, final
ly remembered closing window looking
out upon the garden on her way to light
the kitchen fire. The time was about half
past 5. The circumstance had been tempo
rarily driven out of her head by the excite
ment caused by her masters disappearance.
Immediately fastened to the window in
question, followed by the various members
of the family.
Tt commanded view of the back garden,
and its sill was five feet and a fraction from
the ground. I at once concluded that it
was through this window that Paskin, in
gagged and bound condition, had been
forced by the supposed bandits. Having
now discovered in all probability the egress
and exit of the ruffians, it now became
necessary to trace their departure step ay
step frcul the house. [ should mention
that, while all this was transporting the DO
lice, already appraised of events, were scour-
ing the country round about and busily en-
gagged in following up clews of their own.
therefore determined to reveal nothing of
my own Investigations to them until had
become convinced. of their accuracy.
gave instructions for no one to set foot
in the garden until had examined it. NV
observations led to an immediate reward I
discovered what believed to be fresh foot
prints, and 20 feet on the other side of the
wall brown channels leather moccassin,
such as is commonly worn by gypsies as
footgear.
My first cherished impression-that my
friends disappearance had some Interior
connection with the pleasures of the table
seemed, therefore, wrong one. He was
certainly carried off by gypsies. These gyp-
sizes had, l conjectured, taken a northerly
route and were now, in all human proba-
bility, ensconced in the adjacent woods.
On my return to the house found it in
possession of a detective. This gentleman
had arrived at totally different conclusion.
Indeed had it not overwhelming proof of
abduction furnished by the brown moccas-
sin l should at once have been disposed to
side with his theory. 1t was, in short, that
in fit of temporary alteration Paskin
had made away with himself. The detective
scoffed at the idea of gypsies. He ridiculed
the notion of Paskin being carried off.
The thing was plain. Paskin had complain
ed of a severe headache the night before
most unusual circumstance with him
after hearty supper of cold pork and
welsh rarebit.- He had got up in the night,
unable to obtain sleep, and quietly deter
mined on suicide.
AT the close of the officers recital con-
fidently produced my gypsy moccasin,
thinking thereby to overthrow the whole
web and wool of my friends theory. I'm
fortunately the article was promptly
identified as the property of gypsy who
occasionally came to do work in the garden.
In tie midst of my chagrin an envelope
was placed in he detectives hands by Mrs.
Paskin's maid. 1t had been opened, and