New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-03
THE KIDNAPPING OFWEEk ;

Mr. Richard Weeks. sub-edtor on the staff Of
The Morning Observer" was a modest man
without ambition. and his selection 10y the Fates
fer an astonishing adventure showed feminine
malice. 1t also showed a gay humor. but TINS
aspect of the choice wasted upon him.
Mir. Weeks left the office of his paper one fine
April morning at $40 o'clock He passed along
Flcct-st. and the Strand and turned over Water
loo Bridge. as ne had done hundred times be
fore He was bound 10y the 30 a. m. train from
Waterloo Station to Wmbedom where he had a
pleasant house and a nice little wife. The
streets and the bridge were we'll lighted and
quiet and Mr.. Weeks walked easily along.
About midday, as the chief sub-edtor Of The
Morning Observer was sitting down 10 his
breakfast in the suburb of Dulwich. a woman
called al his house She was pretty and young.
and in great distress Il am Mrs Weeks" said
She and Richard never came home last night
on, Nh Western, what can have happened%'
You astonish me-" said the chief sub-editor
AT what hour did you leave Wimbledon"
AT 1890 o'clock"
Il expect Weeks has arrived at home by now
He left the Office with me. | caught the 3lI, as
usual, at Ludgate Hill, but he may have missed
his train al Waterloo. In that case NJ would
sleep az a hotel and come down after breakfast
You VIII probably find him AT home
Mr. Western fell 10 his coffee and eggs. while
poor Mrs Weeks was cOmfortcd by the CHIEF
sUb-cditoT', wife.
The chici sub-cdtor had consoled his visitor
with fair words but duty required him t. doubt
his own theory. Journalists, who live III the
midst Of the unexpected. are awake e. the in
finite possibilities Of facts. So, when he had
hrcakfastci Mr. Western wrote telegram TO
one of "The Morning Observers reporting stan
at the House Of Commons calling upon him for
service that night at the head Office. As the
Easter recess had begun. Mr. Weekss place
could hc incNpcnsivcly flied for a short time 10y
unemployed gallery reporters. Then Mr. West
crn returned to his guest.
IF you are rested. Mrs. Weeks" said he. Il
will 20 with you to Waterloo and make in
Mr. Weeks was well known at Waterloo sta
ton, and the portcrs who had been on duty in
the early morning were certain that he had not
left 10y the 30 train.
'You see il is as | said" observed Western,
placing Mrs Weeks in a train for Wimbledon.
you will ind him at home dreadfully alarmed
about your absence
A visit to the nearest police station produced
no new facts No accident had occurred on Mr..
Weekss route. ard the police proudly dismissed
all suggestions Of violence. Those streets are
the best lighted in London, and there is an OIL
Ger to every hundred yards. Waterloo Road?
Aye Waterloo Road is queer sometimes at
Eight but half past = is morning. 1t is all full Of
fnarkct carts ana COvent Garden lads going to
cork. Tn" gentleman Will turn UP when he
chooses"
The telegram which awaited Mr. Westerns re-
turn to DulWich as follows He Is not
home.-Laura Weeks"
The way in which the staff Of "The Morning
Observer" received the news of Wecks's disap-
pearancc showed how firm their beautiful
confidence ia his moral character. Indeed. there
was room in the mans simple life for Sc
frct intrigue. He passed from his home to his
pliCc. ana from his office to his homc-his whole
time filled 10y domestic and official inter
ests Leisure is the mlrcst test of morals, for
one cannot conduct the simplest intrigue with
Dut a large supply of time on hand. Mr. Weeks
Sad two cnthusasms- horticulture and politics.
In respect Of the second he was a journalistic
curiosity. Sub-cditOrs. especially those who have
spent many years i'm the gallery of the House Of
Commons. are cynical race. and If by favor or
cXubcrancc Of talent they become leader writer's
their hghtncss Of conviction makes them the
more efficient. Neither age nor the crushing
disappointment which comes with experience
could abatc the fcrvid radicalism Of Mr.. Weeks
His party leaders his ideals Of human
greatness. and into the personal likeness Of one
Of them il was his weakness To believe that he
daily grew An" Mr.. Weeks had often muir
INJURED he looked into his glass and traced on
his own cOuntcnanCe the noble Ministerial feat
ures of Mr.. b, "Ah, If only had gone into
the House.
Twelve days passed, and Mr. Weeks's dis
appearance had almost become ancient history
In the quickly moving life Of The Morning
Observer office. On the thirteenth evening he
walked into the sub editors room.
Good evening said Mr. Weeks.
He a few minutes late and all his COL