Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-11-05
By Prof. VIM. Henry Peck,

Author of the "1hs Stone. Cutter
of Lisbon" Etc.

IT will tell you of that tomorrow
said Hammond. "Time flies-'tis near
ly one, you see; and wish to hear of
Harriet Foss.'
"Oh, you'll hear enough Of her.
said Marks "Well, Stephen and !
left here last night after or near mid
night. 1t was blowing gale, and we
had hard work to find boat and crew
to take us down the bay. At daylight
we were on the bark Cleaner. You
Swn her-don't you?'
"Yes-or rather it belongs to Henry
Elgin's property" said Hammond.
"Well." resumed Marks. "as soon as
I got aboard 1 reused up Charles, who
had been on watch that night, and was
then asleep in the forecastle. like any
common tar. A prime lad Is Charles.
He must have inherited all his good
ness from his mother-not from you,
gave him your letter, and from his
surprise saw at once that you were
much mistaken in him.
How! What"
Eyes, your son is clcar-heart. J
mean, he has never done anything tt
be ashamed of. We have. First, J
told him We must leave the bark. J
spoke with the captain. and as charles
was a privileged character on board
he was allowed to so with me in my
boat. At 12 o'clock we landed neal
the Battery, and whom should l see
disguised as an old applcwoman but
our dangerous friend, Harriet Foss."
"And why-what-"
"Wait you are stammering," con
tinued Marks. II saw her, and knew
her at sight. But she did not know me
l was disguised as sailor, for l wa!
wide awake. You see she must have
had spies out las. night; and they, ]
think, told her that during the storm
boat had put off for the bark Cleaner
So she was on the watch
ION the watch for whom-for what"
asked Hammond
For you, Luke Hammond. No doubi
she imagined that loving father
would hasten to meet his son. Or
maybe she thought you had suspected
her presence in New York, or met me
and would go to warn Charles. Any
way, she was near the boat when II
landed, and came right down as II
eager to sell apples. saw that she rec
ognized Charles and failed to know
ne. Evidently she sought for some one
who was not in the boat. Stephen sc
cured hack and we made for the next
clothing store, where we changed oui
garments wholly. We left the store
from the rear, where another carriage
took us up"
"And why the prccaution?" asked
Luke.
Because the apple woman, that is,
Harriet Foss, had hired hack, and !
saw her following u.s. said Marks.
"For a small sum the storekceper pro.
cured wigs and false beardS for us.
II had much trouble in perSuadinG
Charles to follow my advice; and only
by telling him that his fat-.er's fortune
and life We're in danger could | have
succeeded. We reached the Mctropol
itan Hotel and took roollS under as.
sumed names. Stephen acted as ouI
servant, but unfortunately servant
of the hotel recognized him and greeted
him with: 'Ha, Stephen! is that you!
Are you with Mr.. Luke Hammond nc
more? When did you leave hil" and
forty other questions tho rascal radlcJ
out, while Stephen was near us. That
instant l saw porter prick up bis cars
and look sharply at us. kept ny eyes
on him and soon saw him slip away
after speaking privately with one OF
his fellows. Then l knew we were
watched. That Harriet FoSs is Il reg
ular female Nidocq! | was afraid te
leave the hotel during daylight, lest we
might be tracked. SO at night we frs:
went to the theatre, where l hoped
to find chance to slip of. But l an
WAS Stephen With you? asked
Luke.
Eyes; l was afraid to let f'r1 stay
He has n weakness-le drinks when.
ever he can get chance. Suppose
Harriet Foss had got hold of ny friend
stephen in his cuDs" said Marks. With
a whistle. "After the theatre we re.
turned to the hotel-and by my life
the men | feared were there as soon
as we We're! Harriet Foss has as many
spies as q despot. Just before mid.
night-about half-past live pretend.
ed to retire, locked our doors and ex'
tinguishcd our lights. l saw nothing
suspicious in the hall when l looked
from my room, except sleepy cham
bermaid doing near q window. But
that was enough for me. We made ouI
exit by rear door into another room
fortunately unoccupied. Out Of that
passed into another by swinging on the
shutters outside, like thieves oil
burglars. 1t put me in mind OF ole
times! Stephen and l were old hands
at such tricks, and as Charles was just
from before the mast he was as active
as cat. Well, We got away by the
rear of the hotel and reached here,
think. unmatched. Now what are yor
going to do"
"You must earn your son, Johr
Marks" said Luke.
"That is, put an end to Harriet Foss,'
said Marks. "Ill think about that
But what was your plan to deceive
bap9il -