Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-08-13
HER LEGAL
GUARDIAN


to see her He told her that on the
death OF her father the courts had ar,.
pointed him her guardian. After his
departure she made inquiries and learn
Cd that she had inherited $4,000 "a
bonds and improved property, and tho
interest had been more than enough to
meet her expenses. Il was not above
four weeks when Miss Streeter's guard
ian paid her another visit. He took
more familiar tone this time. and she
could not help seeing that he was
making great effort 20 render himself
agreeable. His ardor was instantly
dampened, however, when she began
20 question him about business He
seemed a good deal surprised and put
out that she had learned what she had.
and be took advantage OF the occasion
10 read Der a lesson in law. During
her minority he was responsible to the
courts alone. When she had attained
her majority, he would be obliged by
law TO file a report OF and surrender
his guardianship. and he hoped she
would be entirely satisfied with what
be had done
In about three weeks Mr.. Caulkins
came again. IL there had been any
thing unpleasant at the last interview.
be had apparently forgotten IL, for be
was all smiles and compliments and
good nature. Before the girl really
knew what he was at he had made her
an Offer OF marriage and smilingiy
awaited her reply. She was cmbar-
raised. confused and indignant She
had never even felt friendly toward
him. Except that she dlstrusted him
he was totally indifferent to her, and
she thought his proposal born OF impu.
dence rather than love. II did not take
her over minute TO set him right
young girl though she was. and his dc.
meanor showed that he was abashed
and chagrined. He attempted to argue.
but she would not listen. He asked her
TO forget that be had spoken OF mar.
| riage. and she asked him to cut his
visit short He went away with words
OF regret and apology on his lips. bu,
his eyes told a different story They
had hard. cruel look, and she realized
that she had rejected a husband to
make an enemy. An hour after he left
the school there came for her by mes
! senger box Of candy and bouquet.
l She understood they were peace offer
| tngs. but she would not accept them.
She gave the bouquet to one OF the
teachers. and the candy she laid away.
Another two weeks passed. and then
a dreadful thing happened in the
school. One of the women employed
TO clean gave Miss Streeter's room a
Saturday busting and while so doing
came across the candy on the shelf
and appropriated It. Half an hour aft
er eating Il she was screaming with
/ pain. and. though doctor was speedily
called, she fingered along for an hour
| or two aud died. A doctor was brought
In, but his dia gnosis Of the case was
| certainly wrong She was a strong.
hearty woman and had been In the best
OF health and spirits up TO the moment
OF eating the candy. IL could not be
shown that she had eaten anything else
20 arouse suspicion. but the thing was
I got over without anybody being held 10
blame.
! The woman was buried, and as the
/ days went by the incident was being
/ forgotten when another dreadful thing
| happened. The deceased woman's
clothes had been given 10 sister re-
siding in the town. and In overhAulIng
/ the dresses piece of candy was found
in one OF the pockets. This was eaten.
the same sort Of an attack followed.
and another doctor pronounced II a
case OF poisoning, The woman died.
and after a postTnortem examination
the case was given To the police. The
first death had not been connected
with the candy, but after the second
IL WAS known that both women had
been poisoned the same way. Miss
Streeter felt sure In her own mind
that the candy came from her guard
ian, although there was no note to
that effect. and that he had deliberate
( ly planned her death. but she said
nothing until summoned at the inquest
II had been told. OF course. that all
the candy distributed came from her.
and she had to testify as TO how IL
came Into her possession. While she
was morally sure that her guardian
was the sender. she was so conscien-
tious that she would not testify 90 IT,
The police went TO work with a vigor.
however. knowing that they would
soon get information In one way or
another, and then the third tragedy
took place. II was announced in the
papers that the guardian had fred
bullet through his brain while sitting
In his office. The police had suspi-
cion OF him. but be was high game 10
attack. and they were hesltatIng and
moving very slowly in the matter. He
must have realized that 1t was only a
question Of time, however. and he had
| other reasons than those connected
with his ward. AS having other prop
critics In trust. he was a defaulter TO
the amount OF 100000. He had con
verted about $4,000 OF her money TO
/ BIS nHrn usas and rnf lad eh.. rna.u.r,t