The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-07-12
foopyrighied. 1895.


NV destination was Cushing, a small
town some 10 miles from Hartford, and
my errand there can be best explained by
the following letter received at police
headquarters I'm the latter town:
"Gentlemen: Three men have dlsap-
peared lately In our parts. Two OF them
were strangers, and one weli-known,
half witted peddler, accustomed for sew
eral years to wander from house 10 house
In this vicinity. As this district is a
lonely one and not in immediate connec-
tjon with any railroad, the matter has not
attracted much attention outside OF TINS
place. But here there is much excitement,
and IL you think IL worth while 10 send
us a detective, l shall be glad 10 give him
such details as may further his investlga-
tions- obediently yours, r.o,,,, -
The last charge which my superior had
given me was TO move warlly in tins
affair therefore concealed my identity
and entered the tavern in Cushing with a
surveyors instruments in my hand.
My first talk was with mine host,
kind-fac joyial man, whose look IN
spired confidence beth IN his honesty and
discretion. The topic which ] naturally
chose was Mr.. Trohm. Was he an acces-
sibe man and was he likely TO have any
property TO sell suitable for large manu-
featuring plant? Mr.. Simmons (for that
was my good hosts .name) opened his
ewes in amazement "Well, no. y said he;
Hhe isn't.U And then he explained to
me that Mr.. Trohm owned no land save
that on which his house was built, and
that for one who had neither vile nor
child. he loved his home and clung to
the few acres surrounding it with per-
tinacity more marked than was shown by
any one else in the community.
ssNever mind" said 1, II am going to
600 him Dorhane he can nOint ont TO
me some available property in the vicin-
ity.,' 49,,
not being OF n suspicious temperament,
the good man went on talking about Mr..
Trohm till had learned enough to be
satisfied that ! should have no trouble in
approaching this gentleman, as he was
one OF the most genial and hospitable OF
men. "Though he keeps no servant, he
makes everybody welcomo,' was Mr..
Simmons assurance, s'and for a bachelor,
makes them mighty comfortable, too. y !.
AS all this showed a certain amount OF
esteem for the man, l felt my confidence
in him increasing, and prepared at once
TO visit him. But when | asked the land
lord where Mr.. Trohm lived and IL 1t was
within walking distane, very decided
change passed over the good mans face.
ssDo you want TO go there now?" he
asked. ''I. so, / will see II can find one
OF my men TO accompany you"
ssBut IS that necessary? Cannot 1 find
the house alCne2n
"Why, yes" be answered, cheerfully,
but still with vague tone of alarm in
his voice; "but it's out of the way like,
and have known fellows, no bigger than
you, who don't like the woods"
s'Oh, it's in the woods?'
''Yes; that is, the road winds through
the woods, and Ii is little dismal, you
know But Mr.. Trohm's place is very
pleasant; very pleasant, indeed. Only
wouldn't go any further than his front
gate IL / were you. The road is long
One and--well. you had better come back
the way you CO."
This was all very suggestive TO my Curl
osity and highly provocative OF number
of q~sestions, but / was determined to get
my first information from Mr.. Trohm,
and so passed the matter off as kindly
hint, which i secretly did not mean to
take.
The landlord seemed satisfied with my
manner, and seeing l did not want
companion, did not urge his offer further.
1 accordingly started out alone, after re-
ceiving minute directions as to the course
/ shouldtake.
Cushing hsa but one street, but half
way down this, a road branches of in
wide curve and on this road Mr.. Trohm
lived. The trees, which were sparse near
the village, increased IN number rapldly
a advanced, and by the time had gone
q quarter OF mile, | found myself in
veritable wood. Not cheerful one,
either. There was marsh under foot and
withered boughs overhead, producing an
effect that was anything but cheerful,
although the sun shone brightly and the
air was balmy. / was therefore both sur
prised and gratified to see the chimneys
OF bright and most attractive-looking
old house rise suddenly before me, with a
charm about its trim doorstep and
flower -bordered walks that only is to be
found in very old places that have been
appreciatively cared for. A fence painted
white enclosed lawn like velvet, and
the house itself, shining with fresh coat
OF yellow paint, bore signs OF comfort in
its white-curtained windows not usually
to be found in the solitary dwelling of
bachelor. Would the man correspond to
his home? AS il in answer to this inward
4