The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-02

Martin I. Larson. pastor Of the Swedish
r.nths-an church. lives at l5-I Fifth ave-
nue. in a neat xxo-s1ory frame house Mr.
larson ia a good-sized man with broad
shoulders lie might be called athletic
He ~ devoted 20 his church wors- and
finds an able assistant IN Mrs Larson.
who il a charming woman. Both Mr.. and
Mrs. Larson believe IN doing all the good
tney ear in this world. and many a poor
man has good cause 10 bless them for sub
stantiaI assistance.
About three weeks ago q man giving his
name as Victor Larson called upon Mr.
Larson Il might have been the similar
ity OF names that prompted him TO seek
out this special Mr.. Larson: II might have
been mere chance, but anyway ne poured
into the good mans ears story OF woes
that would have stirred pity In the heart
of a less charifahly inclined person than
Mfr. Larson. He said that be was penni-
less. carried the idea that his stomach
had not had regular acquaintance with
food for some time. and that his personal
effects had been pawned- He told how
he had been a newspaper man and an ex-
pert stenographer in Denver. and then al
lowed his story 10 carry him 10 san Fran
cisco. Salt Lake City. one or two other
places. and finally land him IN Seattle.
One OF the men on the Post-Intelligencer
was III, so he took his place and then
slept on a stack OF papers. he said. he
was quite well acquainted with the city
editor of the Post-Inteiligencer. and with
G. A Hughes. business manager Of the
Evening Times, and hoped 10 be able 10
secure a position IN due course OF time.
Mr.. and Mrs. Larson became interested in
him and gave him assistance. He returned
in a day or so and gave another chapter
of his troubles. he was given succor once
more. Mr.. Larson took a trip 10 Astoria.
Victor Larson called upon Mrs. Larson,
who gave him small sum of money.
After Mr.. Larson returned from Astoria
Larson came around again. He said that
he had written to Ar. Chaser. of Chicago.
a publisher. and expected money would be
sent him. lie appeared to be in such dis
tressing circumstances that Mr.. and Mrs.
Larson told him ne could stay at their
house. He accepted the invitation and
moved in, minus the trunk. q week ago
Saturday.
He appeared to be a scholarly man and
conversed intelngently on ali subjsetA He
was about 30 years old. Last Saturday he
told Mr.. Larson that he wanted TO go to
Tacoma. Mr.. Larson gave him money. He
did not return. Sunday morning he ap-
peared at tho house and said that he had
secured work from a Tacoma lawyer
which would occupy his time for several
days. The work was TO be done In Seat
tie. Mr.. Larson was busy preparing his
sermon. so he did not take time 10 talk
the matter over extensively. Victor Lar
son said that his new employer was al
hotel, so he would go down town and see
him. Mr.. and Mrs. Larson went TO church.
When they returned they found that the
kitchen door was unlocked. The key was
on the floor. They were uncertain about
having locked the door, so the circum-
stance did not occasion much comment.
Mr. Larson was positive though that he
had closed one door that was found open.
When Mrs Larson wanted q certain lamp
II was missing. She found Il IN the room
occupied by Victor Larson A shirt and
two collars that belonged to Victor and
which Were there when they went TO
church were now missing. Incidentally 1.
was discovered that a good portion OF the
edibies in the Ice chest had gone. too.
Yesterday morning Mr.. Larson had occa-
sion 10 get his satchel II was gone. He
went 20 his desk and Was surprised TO find
that his papers were generally stirred up.
In one drawer he had several envelopes.
containing small sums OF money. The
money had been taken Mrs. Larson was
surprised TO ind that the bureau drawer
had been opened. Her purse contained Sc
Sunday when she went 20 church. Some
one had taken the SO. but had neglected TO
take 81 from a box in the same drawer.
MIS- l>arSon's solu Natch Jay on the ou-
reau, but Il had not been moved.
A gold pencil and ring Mr.. Larson's
class ring. were missing. Articles OF
clothing could not be found. In ali about
$40 worth OF goods and SIS IN cash had
taken wings. The case was not reported
to the police. and when a Post-Tn.eliigsn-
Ger reporter called upon Mr.. and Mrs. Lar
son yesterday they were anxious that moth
ing be said about the matter. because
possible unjust suspicion might do harm.
They were surprised 20 learn that Victor
larson was not regular caller at the
Post-Intelligencer office. because he had
given them to understand that he had tbs
use OF tho Post-Inteiilgencer letter heads.
ink and stamps. II is true that a man
answering Larson's description told the
city editor a hard luck story recently
and was given money. larson may be
recognized by his black. bushy hair and IN
cipient mouEtgche.