St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1894-02-17

OF m oney out OF the business, more
than 1t can well afford, and now he has
given notice of further withdrawal
one which would cripple II not ruin
the arm altogether.
"'The unaccountable part Of this
matter Is that he did not begin this
game until the speculative fever had
died out-until the crisis was At hand
until the crash had occurred II he had
begun to realise -four years ago instead
Of three. should account for all by
saying he had been sucked into the
speculative whirlpool with many ,
good man: but the crisis cleared the
city of rotten concerns and fradulen,
offers Of enormous dividends, and since
my father began turning his securitie.
into cash there has been absolutely nc
strong temptation for speculators
"1n addition TO our other uneasiness
about my father must tell you tha,
he seems to have completely changed
his nature. He used to be quite free
and open with my aunt She knows nc
more Of him now than do. He used "a
be the most hospitable and liberal man
in his house; he has turned close, not to
say mean and stinRy.
".I want you If you can to find out
what my father has done with his
money. OF course. Mr.. Bracken. this ID
to be q perfectly quiet inquiry with no
results but that of satisfying my own
mind. You are not investigating the
business Of my partner. but the unac-
- hi nd AscHv ~csv ~ =
father for whom would put down my
last penny-my life If necessary. I
want you to do nothing but to bring
me some news which will put my mind
1t rest. or at worst which will let me-
know what is going on should not
take the extreme step Of asking you to
help me only that il my father draws
out the money he Is speaking of.
Merrick 4 Go. are very likely to put up
whether an warranted in resisting
the withdrawal or not
And said I. have you no sus-
picion at all Of what became of the
money!
"'Well. said he. with look Of great
distress: 4 can think of nothing ut all.
except that my father has in his old
age taken to a vice never iudulged in
when he was syoung-gambling. II he
isn't losing the money on cards, or dice.
or horses where can it be going? You
will, hope. Mr. Bracken. conduct this
inquiry with the greatest possible deli
cacy and secrecy. would not for all
the world that my poor governor knew
anything of it
81 promised to be more than usually
careful. and having obtained few par.
ticalars to start with bade Mr.. Ed
ward Merrick good-by."
And you have. Bracken." said I,
found out the heart Of the mystery
and Mr.. Edward Mcrrick thanks
heaven he fell into the hands of such
an acute and discriminating detective. "
II have found out the old mans
secret, and it isn't gambling, and none
Of the money has been lost; and vet {
think Mr.. Edward Merrick would soon.
er every penny had gone into the
Thames or the hands of the croupiers
at Monte Carlo than that had to make
the report / did on his father" said
Bracken in tone OF reprcof
"Well. WE'LL" I said, In soothing
tone. don't be angry with me for my
levity. ] did not know that your story
was to have a tragic end. The old man
hasn't had two wives has he? He isn't
locked up now for bigamy7"
'.He is not locked up now. but he Is
very likely to be locked up soon. sl.