The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1898-04-19

credit.
One afternoon he rushed hurriedly
into the bank. He just had letter
from one of his best and wealthiest
friends in Boston. He was to have met
Denver lawyer in ST. Louis that very
day to pay balance of $750.O00 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 TO meet the engagement.
Would his o1dlfriend, known in St. Louis
as Lawrence Bochart. draw on his own
funds and look after the matter There
was an assured profit of million, and
they would share il.
rs it all right?" asked the presi-
dent, whowas dazzled with Bochart and
his apparently fabulous riches.
Il 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 | wast YOU
to accept half the gain which my friend
would make through the deal
Il 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 permits
sion, l will do SOL
Il sent the telegram at once" said
the president to my unc,e and myself.
Inside of half an hour / had an an
swer, signed by both the president and
cashier, informing me that Mr..
Bcchart'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
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.
I'VE went to the hotel and paid the
Denver lawyer in currency, as exaeted
by the terms of the contract. He said
that he would have preferred a certi-
fled check, but he .sould be around
before the close of banking hours to
deposit the sum with us. IihadIno soon
er 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 it
came upon me with the force of a 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. l was ruined.
'Of course" continuedthe president,
"the rascal who cut such a 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 oder gentlemen took look
at the picture and then passed it 10
me. An exclamation of surprise had
almost passed my lips, but l was a for
tune-seeker myself and here was an un-
expected opening The picture was that
OF Fred biorell. Why should not win
the reward offered for the recovery of
this stolen money? / had seen the wire
Taper and knew the man who had
so successfully played his part in the
aristocratic set of ST. Louis.
Two days later was on my way to
join in the Christmas festivities to
which young Moren had invited me. /
had no idea hat he would be there to
receive me. but then he was not the
chief attraction. had said nothing TO
the two old gentlemen of what l knew
or what l had in mind, but l had de-
ci0ed to play the novel part of a de-
tective and lay the foundation for some
such fortune as L had always expected
to inherit
Fred Morell met me at the d'Sor of his
home and a welcome could not have
been more hearty. His mother was one
of the most gracious of the old-school
ladies, and her daughter was even more
fascinating in, her wondrous beauty
than when she had won my love beyond
the ocean. could not enjoy such hos
pitality and then bring sorrow worse
than death upon those who offered it.
] asked private talk with Fred, and
frankly told him what l had learned
and how had started out to recover
the stolen money. There was mingled
anger and contempt in his face as he
answered me.
You have taken me for a scoundrei
again. he said, ''but l must admit the
force of the evidence. Cousin Bob has
broken loose once more. Seen apart we
have always been taken one for the
other. He is a wonderful man and his
talents, properly directed, would win
him almost any position. But his in
csination is to go wrong and he does
not restrain it. Your mission is to
bring him to book. If you like, ! viii
go this far with you. He is rich through
Inheritance and fraud. Together we
will run him down and secure a return
OF the money lost by the bank. we
Will make him leave the country for
good, but without such an arrangement
l will lend you no assistance. He is
the first to bring disgrace on the fam
lily name and l care more for it than
for his punishment"