The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1898-01-06
"NOt a word. "

Not word"
"If you have time, will tell you
the story"
Farmer Jones took a chair and Mrs.
Thorne said:
"Three years ago last month my
husband was book keeper for large
firm in the western city of Clinton.
By some means his accounts were
meddled with by some one, and be
cause he would not say he did it the
firm had him put in prison. Some of
the clerks swore they saw HIM in the
store one night when l knew he was
at home. So many of them were
against him that he was convicted and
sentenced to ten years imprisonment
What is the firms name?'
Wilson q Wilbour"
You don't say, why Wilson went
from this town."
Then you know him."
ooh yes, knew him WE'LL
"Do you suppose you could say
anything to him to prove my hus-
bands innocence?'
Il don't know, he is mighty mean
man to do any such thing as that. III
have to be going now. Pll be after
yon Christmas morning with my big
sleigh; good morning." said Mr.
Jones in such hurry that Mrs
Thorne thought she must have pro
voked him by asking him to help hel
husband
Could she have heard hlm talking
to himself as he went down the road
she would have thought differently
After seeing Betsy he hurried
home. AS he came into the house he
said: Mother, won't you pack me a
clean shirt and few collars. [ want
to catch the II o'clock train.
Where on earth are you going?'
III tell you while I'm changing
my clothes. Betsy's coming to help
You and she's going to stop and get
Mr.. Jenkins man to come over and
DO the chores while Pm gone.
Mr.. Wilson, l believe" said nice
looking old gentleman as he stepped
into the private otfic of of Wilson 4
Wilbur OF Clinton.
why, Mr.. Jones. Pm delighted
to see you, pray take a seat, how are
the folks at home?"
Excuse me, but | don't care to sit
in the presence of such a rascal. You
will meet me at the office of Sharp &
Co., Il Green street, at IL O'Clock
Good-morning," and Farmer Jones
turned and walked out of the office
leaving Mr.. Wilson looking very
white and frightened.
Il wonder what the old man means
by this" be said to himself as soon as
he was alone. IL think Pll take what
ready money can raise and get out
of the city before he knows what
am about" Mr.. Wilson went to the
safe, took out a large amount of
money, put it in his pocket and tax
ing his overcost passed ont into the
store. Going to the mead clerk he
said:
''Pm summoned to New York on
very important business. Tell Mr..
Wilbour l will be gone about week"
"Nely well, sir" SAID the clerk.
AS he stepped out of the store and
fastened down the street, nicely
dressed gentleman crossed the street
and followed him. He went straight
to the depot, and as he was about to
step upon The train the nicely dressed
gentleman took his arm and said:
BEG pardon, sir; but you are for
getting your appointment with Sharp
& Go. Come with me quickly, or l
will call those two officers who are
looking at u.s."
Mr. Wilson went with the detective,
for such he was, to the Office of Sharp
q Co., where he found the three law
yers who composed the firm, and Mr.
Jones, waiting for him Just about
the same time Mr.. WilboUr, who had
also been sent for, came in.
Now, MIR. JONES'" said Lawyer
Sharp, please tell these gentlemen
why they were sent for"
81 sent for them to give them the
choice of serving term in prison, or
of telling such story to the governor
as will cause the release of Mr.. Ed
ward Thorne from prison. Not only
that, but they must pay MIR. Thorne
$4,000 for the trouble they have
made him"
'What do you say gentlemen"
"Who is this man that he should
blackmail us in this way?" asked Mr..
Wibour.
"It is no case of blackmail," broke
in Mr.. Wilson, this is Benjamin
Jones' brother. He holds the power
to shut us up if he pleases, we must
comply with his terms, When can
we see the governor"
''He is in the other room, [ will
call him." said Mr.. Sharp, going to a
door and opening it.
How do you do, JONES'" said the
governor, shaking hands with Mr..
Jones.
Nicely, thank you. You are look
ing about as young as ever. | see."
Yes. l don't seem to grow old very
fast What can l do for you?"
"Mr. Wilson has request to make
of you. Mr.. Wilson, allow me to in
lIOuuCS you W NONoIuOI oUD, du
old schoolmate Of mioe. Please tell
him what you know about Mr.. Thorne,
who was your book keeper three years
ago.
1--WE have found out that we were
about his meddling wit1
the books; it was someone else, and
we would like to take steps to have
him released at once
"Oh, you have discovered the real
criminal. have you?"
"Yes, sir; and we are sorry that we
have been the means of putting an in
nocent man into prison and are will
ling to pay him good sum for his
trouble"
After some further talk Mr. vii
bour and the officer went ont and
soon returned with bank drafts to the
amount of 10000, which they placed
in Mr.. Sharp's hands.
Whilo fhoy ypoca coma &ho Sroror,