The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1900-01-18
IN A SINGLE NIGHT.
The Terrible Trial of a Young
Wife Left on Guard.

The Terrible Trial of Young
Wife Left on Guard.
What a beautiful young woman !!
Aud yet her hair is white as spOw."
And her complex on fresh as ia
child's. Strange, is it lot ~
Thus spoke two loungers on hotel
porch. But they did not know the his
tory of that snowy hSir air.. \
From the time Harry Wells fell in
love with Mamie Clausen at church
socials until the marriage In the First
Presbyterian church, the entire COM
munity gave minute consideration to
their affairs. Mamie's father, John
Clausen, was q prominent commission
merchant in Pennsylvania town,
generally considered wealthy, and al.
ways lived like man Of meaus.
Mamie was pretty, dashing, 3 local
belle, and a general favorite. Harry's
family lived q few miles from town.
and they, too, were people of reputa.
tion in the county.
The marriage was in every way
suitable one. Harry was educated at
Princeton, aud although he had at one
time the reputation Of being wild, he
had sobered down and was such q
frank, manly young fellow that he was
generally forgiven any indiscreticn.
The marriage was the occasion OF
general rejoicing. Mamie father
gave her an unusually good send-off,
and the details were sent far and wide
through the State. Harry had studied
into a country notary, drawing up
deeds, and doing hackwOrk Of that
sort. They lived about four miles out
of town, and two miLos from old Johns.
He had built them a pretty modern
cOtt,fse on detached portion OF his
farm. Harry bad his Office, an orna-
mental little structure, few rods from
the house, and there they lived as
happy as two birds.
Gradually Harry picked up business,
and finally, through his father, he be-
came trustee fOr some minor heirs.
They were an od. lot Of children, with
half-crazy mother, and no end of
coal lands and mining Investments. It
was good thing for Harry, although
it gave q naturally lazy man some ad-
ditional work. The worst thing was
that it obliged him to go to Scranton
now and then, and leave Mamie. When
Harry had to go away Mamie would
get in her phaeton and drive to town,
and there were always some OF the
young people ready to 60 out and keep
her company. Harry always insisted
that she must not stay alone. For
law.abiding State, Pennsylvania has a
pretty rough element in 1t, and there
is q general sense of uneasiness.
One August afternoon Harry had an
unexpected summons to go to Scranton
about suit connected with the minor
heirs. He had recently sold some of
their property and had been making
various collections, which left in his
hands about $4,000. When he found
that he had TO 60 off at a few moments
notice he wrapped up bundle OF
papers and this money and took them
into the house. Mamie was making
preparations for picnic they were to
go to the next day, and begged him to
wait until the day after.
"But, my dear child, | haven't time
even to go to town and put these In
them. III try and get back in two
days at the furthest, meanwhile no.
body will know that the money is
here"
Then he explained to her the value
of the papers and handed her a canvas
bag, In which was the 81, 500 belonging
to the minor heirs.
"Where will l keep it, Harry2 Be-
tween the mattresses ~
"Just like q woman No. But l
declare don't know where TO tell you.
The most insecure place apparently is
often the most secure. Any place,
dear, but between the mattresses. l
leave that to you. But you must guard
it, If necessary, with your lie for re-
member the money is not ours, and at
all hazards [ am responsible. [ don't
really suppost there 10 the least danger,
for no one knows l have It, But one
ought to take proper precautions, and
[ beg OF you not 10 admit any tramps
while | am gone. Tell Sarah not even
to allow them to eat biscuit"
CAD right, dear; we won't let the
tramps have o drink, even, and I'll
take care Of the money, you may be
sure"
Harry babe his wife goodbye, and
Mamie gave up the picnic. At the
end of two days she received tele.
gram from him, saying he had been
detained, and telling her to get some
ono to stay with her for two days
whom ne would be at home. She drove
into town and one Of her old friends
went out with her. At the end Of two
days she had another telegram saying
that he was detained until the mex,
day. Her friend went home, and ir
place of Harry came third telegram
and 30 every day for ten days h, was
expected home, and every day came {
dig appointing telegram. BY this time
she had become accustomed to hel
charge, which she had set like baf
OF seed beans In corner of o darl
c1ooet Oponi n q fran her room