Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-12-09
Feb. 25. 1902.


"Your guardian,
JOHN sTROBEL."
FEB Is, 1902.
'Dear Guardian: I am surprised at
the charge and arrest you mention, the
particulars Of which my sister wrote
me yesterday. There is no real ground
for the accusation, and l have written
to Rufus assuring him of my mistaken
confidence in his integrity. Pardon me,
but l fear prejudice has tendency to
blind you as to his worth Thanks, am
improving.
''Your ward,
JUDITH MAYS"
In Strobel's opinion his ward was dis
playing more faith than common sense,
but had she not always proved herself
perverse? In the end, he said, after Pc
rusing the reply to his note, she would
see her folly-one had to be patient with
sentimental girls of eighteen. Preju-
dice? That was harsh name for what
he insisted was his interest in her well
fare-but which was really his love and
an ambition to win her for himself. But
he would wait until reason asserted it.
self.
The circumstances were indeed
against Rufus Dent. He was young
lawyer with reputation and fortune
yet to make, but Miss Mays guardian
was the only one who believed that he
was not living within his income, insig-
nifcant as it seemed to man of means
That he might get cheaper lodgings, he
had even secured boarding place in the
country couple of miles distant from
the little county seat. His arrest on a
serious criminal charge came about in
this way:
The nearest neighbor of his landlord
was Jacob Keef, the county trustee.
This man had been a small farmer all his
standpoint, and unused to handling con-
siderable sums of money; but he was
jovial and good MIXER" and this
seemed qualification sufficient to his con-
stituents for being intrusted with gov
ment funds" At the beginning of
February his collections had been great.
It was the last month in which taxes
could be collected without penalty at
tached for delay; and he was consequent
ly rushed to write his necessary re-
ceipts, even with the help of an assist
ant. BY dark he found himself in the
possession of six or seven thousand dol
lars of the peoples money.
With this sum on his person-there
was no bank in the village-he very nat
urally felt somewhat nervous; and his
nervousness was increased by the fact
that number Of robberies had been
committed throughout the county dur
ing the winter. His sense of RESPONSE
bility made him a coward, and as he
drove on homeward after night, it was. a
relief to overtake young Dent on the
road.
Get in the buggy and ride, Rufus" he
said. Il don't mind saying that I'm
joyed at seeing you. hain't told any
body else, but I've got in my wallet more
money than ever saw before in one pile,
and hang me eff it don't weigh as heavy
on my mind as ton of lead! Did you
see them two fellers follerin' me from
store to store to-day while maxim collec-
lions. Well, it strikes me that they
seemed little too interested not to be
taxpayers themselves"
ooh, suppose they meant nothing"
said Dent. II saw them, but some one
said they had been inquiring for a
small farm for sale. What you need is
good warm supper, and then you'll for
get your uneasiness.
"P'rhaps. Still, wish you'd go home
with me tonight. I would feel better
with some one in the house besides me
and my wife Spose you go oyer?"
"Thank you" said the young man. Il
am obliged to put in late hours tonight
reading up the authorities on torts.
That big suit Of Day vs. Long comes OF
next week, you know, and l want to
make hit in managing the suit If pos
sible."
: Reaching lane, Dent got out Of the
\ vehicle and went to his room. The
trustee soon reached home also. After
a warm supper, and with many remarks
! concerning the responsibility Of an Of
,ficer of the revenues, he retired, placing
i. the wallet Of public funds under his pill
low. g. @s5@;s,2-
Worn out with the days duties, he and
& his wife soon fell into a deep slumber.
The moon was shining brightly, and
/, there was no sound throughout the coun-
tFyside save now and then the lowing Of