The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1899-06-22

NSw&&eIZ to relate the fol-
H. ~ lowing rather
...S c-'-N singular story.
For the sake Of perspicuity have
thought it best to allow several per-
sons to contribute their quota to the
narrative.
Miss Esther Morgan, whose account
preludcs the sketch, was one OF my
pupils-a bright girl OF fifteen, and
the daughter Of General Glake Nor
gan, who was among the number Of
distinguished patrons OF Lavender
Institute" He was man much given
70 hospitality, and his person was al
most as plethoric as his purse. Al
though advanced in years, he was far !
from being either dull or lacking in
acutensss.
His house was rendezvous for the |
wits OF the day. Around his board
gathered noted personages Of the
press, the stage and the pulpit, as
we'll as rising artists in music or on
canvas.
II was the morning OF the 10Th of
November, when 1 overheard Miss
Esther Morgan excitelIy relate these
facts:
MISS ESTHER MO13AN's STATEMENT.
'How did it happen? Well. that is
the most curious part OF it all. You
have no idea how worried papa is TO
think that he should be so cleverly
managed! OF course, it is great
loss-over sixty thousand dollars
but I believe no hates the way in
which it was done as much as the loss
OF the money. IIo was so cleverly
bamboozled. Why, it was only last
week when papa was ridiculing young
Mr.. Bronson. the author, because his
pocket was picked coming out Of the
theatre"
Here chorus OF her companions
impatisntly demanded the facts.
"Of course, girls, I forgot you
didn't know how it was done. Well,
you see, papa went down to safe de-
post concern yesterday morning to
get his bonds. The interest was due,
AMI he intended to take them to
another bank and draw it. The bonds
wore put up in q large envelope.
u,
started to walk to the bank. L can
just see his dear. old, benevolent
speotacles, beaming beneficiently on
mankind, inst rs man with big
lot OF money in his possession ought
to beam.
''At corner he spied an apple
stand, on which were piled the incest
Belledowcr apples ho ever saw. He
is passionately fond of apples, and
Belieilowers especially. OF course,
ho stopped aud asked the buxom old
the bonds; his mind was intent only
upon securing his precious Belle
flowers. He don't remember where
he laid down the envelope containing
the bonds. but supposed ho uLcon-
Roiously placed it on the stand while
selecting tho fruit. A handsome
young man, neatly dressed, with q
pair OF gold spectacles perched on his
nose, and grave face, reached out
his hand and becomingly addressed
papa.
Papa says he thought it was one OF
the new gentlemen he met Mt his last
whist party. He felt rather ashamed
Of himself for forgetting the mans
name. The face seemed familiar, and
the greeting was so hearty and gentle
manly that papa set his wits to work
to recall the name or profession.
'The stranger spoke of new pic.
ture which papa had recently bought,
and praised papa's article which ap.
peared in one Of the late magazines.
"Of course that pleased him, and
he insisted upon the stranger calling
soon to see "A still later addition to his
art gallery. The young man was de-
lighted, and promised to come. They
shook hands. and the young mar
turned down the corner. The ole
woman meantime had put the apples
In . paper-bas and papa fumbled il
his pockets after tho money to pay fo
them. He reached out his hand fo
The bonds.
''They were gone!
Imagine papa's face! Although i
was such Q serious loss. could no
help laughing outright when papa tol,
me. just saw the blank expression
. on his face, the child-like, perplexe,
look that must have spread over hi
features. couldn't help it, girls
indeed couldn't. 1t was awful il
= me. I know. and papa looked blac
a. night, yet"
Hero Miss Esther was again assaile
3. with question:
''Whst did your father do?"
d, "Do? Why, he shouted for
policeman, and they ran around tn
corner after the thief. OF course
thore was nobody in sight that locke
like the man; expect lie was mile
awayr
Another avalanche OF interrogation
followed, some relevant and other
quite the contrary.
The only other notable fact addu &c
was that General Morgan had place
tho matter in the hands OF experience
detectives.
MADAM DALroN's STATEMENT
II was the principal OF the Lave,
der Institute, the most select ladie
college in the city. It's charges we,
proportionately nigh.
Admission to the Lavender Inst
tute was almost the equivalent of
patent Of nobility. L tolerated not
ing common or shabby. The Lave1
der was the par excellence of ed
cational institutions.
.'About three o'clock, on the afte
nooa OF the twentieth of Novembe
Sarah. the maid who answered Il
door bell II allowed no men abo
Lavender Institute), announced Il
presence of agentlemaa in the parlo
to zee me on business.
II went own, and o person intr
duesd himself - Paul Belot.
'6omshow he gave me the impre
siep Of one unused to fine society, II
did ID appear that he was altogether
home " his abiniag black suit
AA>l~Ay