The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1894-02-03

Of m oney out of the business, more
than it can well afford, and now he has
given notice Of further withdrawal
one which would cripple II not ruin
the Arm altogether.
The understandable part Of this
matter IL that he did not begin this
game until the speculative fever had
died out-untfl the crisis was at hand
until the crash had occurred. If he had
begun to realise -four years ago instead
saying he had been sucked into the
speculative whirlpool with many q
good man; but the crisis cleared the
city of rotten concerne and FRAUDULENT
offers of enormous dividends, and since
my father began turning his securities
into cash there has been absolutely no
strong temptation for Spectators.
IS I'm addition to our other uneasiness
about my father 1 must tell you that
he seems to have completely changed
his nature. He used to be quite free
and open with my aunt. She knows no
more of him now than do. He used to
he the most hospitable and liberal man
in his house; he has turned close, not 70
say mean and stingy.
g 4 want you If you can to find out
what my father has done with his
money. OF course, Mr.. Bracken. this 10
to be perfectly quiet inquiry with no
results but that of satisfying my own
business of my partner, but the unac-
countable and distressing conduct of e
father for whom would put down my
last penny-my life if necessary.
want you to do nothing but to bring
me some news which will put my mind
at rest, or at worst which will let me
know what is going on. 1 should not
take the extreme step of asking You to
help me only that if my father draws
out the money he is speaking OF.
Merrick & Co. are very likely to put up
the shutters, and I want to find out
whether I 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 a look OF great
distress: 4 can think OF nothing at all.
| except that my father has in his old
age taken to a vice never INDUCED in
! when lie was young-gambling If he
isn't losing the money on cards, or dice.
| or horsee where can it be going? You
| will, I 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
II promised to be more than usually
careful, and having obtained a few par
| ticu1ars to start with I babe Mr.. Ed
ward MerriciS good-by."
! ''And you have, Bracken. said I,
| .'found out the heart of the mystery
| and Mr.. Edward Merric< 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 gam bling, and none
of the money has been lost; and vet
think Mr.. Edward Merrick would soon
! err every penny had gone into the
Thames or the hands of the croupiers
at Monte Carlo than that had to make
the report 1 did on his father" sale
! Brackeu in q tone of rcprcof.
| "Well. WE'LL" 1 said, in soothing
tone, ''don't be angry with me for my
1evity. did not know that your story
was to have a tragic end. The old mar
hasn't had two wives has he? He ISM
locked up now for biRamy?''
HE is not locked up now, but he i:
very likely to be locked up soon, al