The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1898-01-19

thought of danger to anyone else never
entered my mind. But my confidence
IN the fact of my complete isolation
was brought up with short turn. 1
had just let go with both barrels at a
flying bunch of quail when 1 heard
shout of terror and witnessed a laugh
able sight. 1t was man literally drop
ping down a telegraph pole, his eyes
big with fright and false beard shift
ed to the side of his face. The fine shot
had peppered him harmlessly, but he
thought that he had been fired upon
and was beginning to plead for mercy
when / approached him.
| When l went in from my holiday
hunt found new guest at the house.
He was president of the then leading
bank in ST. Louis, in which uncle was a
director and large stakeholder. After
dinner we smoked together and the two
old men told me what had brought the
president there.
But short time before two elegant
and MISUNDERSTANDING gentlemen
had flashed upon the most exclusive So
cial circle of the city. They dressed
| u.
spent money with princely prodigality.
and one of them had placed $4,000 in
the presidents bank, just to meet the
expenses of the brief visit. He had been
introduced at the presidents home and
made such an inroad upon the daugh-
ter's affections that their gagement
was currently reported. This depositor
had unexceptional letters and each one
guaranteed him entitled to unlimited
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
a Denver lawyer in st. Louis that very
day to pay balance of $75o,ooO 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 old friend, 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 it.
us it all right?" asked the presi-
dent, who was dazzled with Bochart and
his apparently fabulous riches.
81 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
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"
81 cannot think of it," replied the
president.
'Then, sir, let me make it wedding
present to your daughter. i have not
asked her hand, but, with your permits
sion, 1 will do So"
II sent the telegram at once" said
the president to my uncle and myself.
"Insde of half an hour 1 had an an
swer, signed by both the president and
Bochart's account was far more than
equal to the demand made upon it. l
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 1 took the
usual precautions, though the large
ness of the amount at stake might have
demanded more.
1--WE 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 certi-
| fled check, but he would be around
before the close of banking hours to
| deposit the sum with us. had no soon
er returned to the bank than received
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, was ruined.
"Of course" con tinued 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 to recover the
amount of the robbery"
The two older gentlemen took look
at the picture and then passed it 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 | knew the man who had
SO successfully played his part in the
| aristocratic set of st. Louis.
Two days later l was on my way to
| Join in the Christmas festivities to
which young Morell 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 to