Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-01-15

from one of his best and wealthicst
friends in Boston. He was to have met
n Denver lawyer in st. Louis that very
day to puy balance of $750,O00 on
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 to meet the engagement.
Would his oldlfriend known inst. Louis
as Lawrence Dochart, draw on his own
funds and look after the matter? There
was an assured profit of million, and
they would share it.
us it all right?" asked the presi-
dent, whowas dozzled with Bochart and
his apparently fabulous riches.
"I would like to help my friend, for
1t is my disposition. But let me insist
that you first telegraph my bank in
New York to see whether twill honor
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 wedding
present to your daughter. L have not
asked her hand, but, with your permis-
sion, will do So"
"I sent the telegram at once" said
the president to my uncle and myself.
"Inside of half an hour l had an an-
swer, signed by both the president and
cashier, informing me that Mr..
Bcchart's account was far more than
| I
may have been blinded somewhat by
the impression the young man had made
upon 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, us exacted
by the terms of the contract. He said
that he would have preferred a certi-
fled check, but he would be around
before the CLOSE of banking hours to
deposit the sum with us. Ihadno soon.
er returned to the bank than l received
n telegram from the New York bank
saying that Lawrence Bochart had no
account there and never had. Then it
came upon me with the force of q ter
rible blow that THE wire must have
been tapped, that we were swindled and
that the bank was crippled beyond hope
of recovery. For myself, was ruined.
"Of course" continuedlthe 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 to recover the
amount OF the robbery"
The two older gentlemen took q look
at the picture and then passed 1t to
me. An exclamation of surprise had
almost passed my lips, but was for
tune-seeker myself and here was an un-
expected opening. The picture was that
of Fred Morell. Why should L not win
the reward offered for the recovery OF
this stolen money? Ihad seen the wire.
Taper and 1 knew the man who had
so successfully played his part in the
aristocratic set of ST. Louis.
Two days later 1 was on my way tc
join in the Christmas festivities to
which young Moren had invited me.
had no idea that he would be there to
receive me, but then he was not the
chief attraction. had said nothing tc
the two old gentlemen of what l knew
or what 1 had in mind. but l had de.
ci9ed to play the novel part of n de-
tective and lay the foundation for some
such fortune as | had a.wa.s expected
to inherit.
Fred Mcrell net me al the door of his
home and welcome could not have
been more hearty. His mother was ono
of the most gracious of the old-schoc
ladies, and her daughter was even mcrC
fascinating in her wondrous beauty
than when she had Won my love bcyonc
the ocean. 1 could not enjoy such hos
pitality and then bring n sorrow worse
than death upon those who offered it
/ asked n private talk with Fred, ant
| frankly tod him what / had learned
: and how l had started out TO recoveI
the stolen money. There was minglel
: anger and contempt in his face as h
{ answered me.
: "You have taken me for n scoundre
: again." he said, "but must admit tn
l broken loose once more. Seen apart W
t have always been taken one for tn
Y other. lie is a wonderful man and' hi
e talents, properly directed, would vii
e him almost any position. But his IL
r c,ination is to go wrong and he doe
Q rot restrain it. Your mission is 4
n bring him to book. If you like, wi
I go this far with you. He is rich throug
a inheritance and fraud Together "
a will run him down and secure retur
l. OF the money lost by the bank. W
= will make him Leave the country fo
8 good, but without such an Grrangcmen
= 1 will lend you no assistance. He
It the first to bring disgrace on the fan
e lily name and l care more for it tina
n for his punishment"
y In New York we found the man who7
/ had surprised in hunting. Throug