Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-04-12

One afternoon he rushed hurriedly
into the bank He just had letter
from one of his best and wealthest
friends in Boston. He was to have met
a Denver lawyer in ST. Louis that very
day to pay balance of $750,000 on a
contract for mining lands in Colorado.
Business involving an enormous sum
kept this Boston man at home, and. de-
spite his wealth, he did not have the
ready money 10 meet the engagement.
Would his oldIfriend. known in st. Louis
as Lawrence Bochart: draw on his own
funds and look after the matter? There
was an assured profit of a million, and
they would share it.
rs it all right?" asked the presi-
dent, whowas dazzled with Bochart and
his apparently fabulous riches.
II would like to help my friend, for
it is my disposition. But let me insist
that you first telegraph my bank in
New York to see whether it will honor
a draft for the amount required. For
your kindness in the matter want you
to accept half the gain which my friend
would make through the deal"
II cannot think of it." replied the
president.
Then, sir, let me make it a wedding
present to your daughter. have not
asked her hand, but, with your permits
sion, will do So
81 sent the telegram at once" said
the president to my uno,e and myself.
Inside OF half an hour / had an an
swer signed by both the president and
cashier, informing me that Mr..
Bochart's account was far more than
equal to the demand made upon it. |
may have been blinded somewhat by
the impression the young man had made
epon me and the prospect of having
him for a son-in-law, but / took the,
usual precautions, though the large
ness OF the amount at stake might have
demanded more.
eve went to the hotel and paid the
Denver lawyer in currency. as exacted
by the terms of the contract. He said
that he would have preferred a ccrti-
fed check, but he would be around
before the .elose Of banking hours to
deposit the sum with us. Ihadlno soon
err returned to the bank than | received
a telegram from the New York bank
saying that Lawrence Bochart had no
account there and never had. Then il
came upon me with the force Of ter
rible blow that THE wire must have
been tapped, that we were swindled and
tb., IA IN :, ,,-u r;,,u1 a Il no x.on1 hona
of recovery. For myself, was ruined.
"Of course" continued the president.
"the rascal who cut such wide swath
in society, did not distribute his photo
graphs, but my daughter is something
OF an artist and she sketched the fell
low from memory. Here he is, and
we'd gladly give 100000 10 recover the
Of the robbery"
The two older gentlemen took look
at the picture and then passed II TO
me. An exclamation of surprise had
almost passed my lips, but | was for
tune-seeker myself and here was an I'M
expected opening. The picture was that
Of Fred Morell. Why should'I moi win |
the reward offered for the recovery Of
this stolen money? had seen the Wire
Taper and ] knew the man avho had |
so successfully played his part in the |
set of St. Louis.
Two days later | was on my way 10
join in The Christmas festivities to
which young Morell had invited me. |
had no idea hat he would be there 10 /
receive me. but then he was not the
chief attraction. had said nothing to
he two old gentlemen of what knew
Or what / had in mind. but had de-
1i0ed to play the novel part OF a de-
ective and lay the foundation for some
such fortune as | had always expected
10 inherit.
Fred Morell met me at the door OF his
nome aud welcome could not have
Deen more hearty. His mother was one
IF the most gracious of the old-school
aides, and her daughter was even more
fascinating in her wondrous beauty
han when she had won my love beyond
he ocean. could not enjoy such hos
,itality and then bring sorrow worse
han death upon those who offered it.
asked a private talk with Fred. and
frankly told him what | had learned
md how | had started out to recover
he stolen money. There was mingled
niger and contempt in his face as he
me.
You have taken me for a scoundrei
gain" he said. but must admit the
Gree OF the evidence. Cousin Bob has
'roken loose once more. Seen apart we
ave always been taken one for the
iher. He is a wonderful man and his
alen;s. properly directed. would win
i'm almost any position. Dui his in
is 10 go wrong and he does
ot restrain il. Your mission is to
ring him to book. II you like. will f,
o this far with you. He is rich through
ard fraud. Together we ,
ill run him down and secure a return
: the money lost by the bank. We !
III make him leave the country for
ood. bur without such an arrangement .
Will lend YOU no assistance. He is