The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1896-10-29
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surance, the magistrate did not know
what to say.
Il think, Mr.. Jansen, there is some
misunderstanding, which shall be
very glad to have cleared mp. Will
you listen to me2"
Take a seat
He sat down, and with many cir
cumlocutions, parentheses, and apollo
getic phrases related what had pass
| ed
"Oh! | understand You thought
| had run off with the cash. Admir-
ablel And you could imagine that ?"
But. you see, your sudden depart
ure, coinciding with the absence of
your servant
Her sister is i'll; l gave her leave
to go and see her. l was obliged to
fetch some bonds from Strassburg
myself, l took the last train there,
intending to come back with the first
train next morning; a landslide had
blocked the line, so l could not get
home till late last night; and that Is
| ALL"
But your burnt books?"
My books! They are all here, sir"
and rising from his seat, he opened
the dool of large cupboard, and
showed the perplexed magistrate the
rows OF books arranged in perfect
| order
Il am perfectly satisfied; my bust
ness here is at an end; 1 beg your
pardon, MIR. Jansen for disturbing
you so early. Good-morning, sir"
All day long curious people were
seen standing opposite Jansen's door,
as if to assure themselves by the testi
mony of their own eyes, that the old
man had really returned; and his
clients who had passed a very bad
night, regained the appearance of
men whose digestion and banking
account are in good order
But how had the extravagant
rumors arisen2 Who had put them
in circulation? Wishing to be salts
fed upon this point, the lawyer
brought an action for defamation Of
character against Luc Barry, who, as
was we'll known, had been the first to
bring the report from the ldler's
club. He was summoned and the
law set in action against him. All
came to light, and it was very simple.
The day of his journey to Strass-
burg, Jansen finding the drawers of
his desk too full, had burned a mum
Der of papers in the open CRATE of his
office. They were old. worthless pa
pers; letters relating to business
during his fathers life, lists, reports
and similar rubbish, 20 years old at
least The stove smoked horribly,
and he threw open his windows, while
he continued his occupation. Oppo-
site his house was the Golden Key
inn.
Just fancy thatw exclaimed the
host of the Inn as he a saw a ruddy
light in the lawyers office mir Jan
sen is burning paper. What queer
idea to warm himself in such wealth
erp'
The chemists assistant was having
his supper at the inn. When he re-
turned to the shop he related to his
master, while rolling some pills, that
Lawyer Jansen had burned some
papers. A customer came in for some
cough lozenges. How sultry 1t
is,' he said, while the assistant was
serving him. Yes" replied the
chemist thoughtfully; lis 1t true what
they are saying in town, that Mr..
Jansen has burned his papers?"
Burned his papers! Good gracious!
what are you saying! Take care no
body hears you"
1t IS true, my assistant saw it with
his own eyes, from the window of the
Golden Key"
The customer went out. quite ex
cited and meeting Luc Barry who
was on his way to the club, told him,
looking cautiously around to make
sure nobody was listening. that Law
yer Jansen had burned his books.
We know the rest
Disguised once for all with the
management of other peoples bust
ness, Hans Peter Jansen gave his
clients their title deeds and money
and told them to manage their own
affairs or find another man of bust
ness; he washed his hands of their
concerns.
But, would you believe it, even now
there are people in Finkweiler who
will say to you shaking their heads
and looking wondrous wise: well
you know, that story is not quite
clear, something very singular must
have happened"
1