River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-12-03
"Your ward,

blind you as to his worth. Thanks, am
improving.
'Your ward,
JUDITH MAYS"
In Strobel's opinion his ward was dis
n1aying more faith than common sense,
hut 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 a 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-
nificant as it seemed to man of means.
That he might get cheaper lodgings, he
had even secured boarding place in the
country a 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 Jacot r<eef, the county trustee.
This man hal been small farmer all his
life, not very successful from business
standpoint, and unused to handling con-
siderable sums of money; but he was
jovial and a 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.
1t 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 a 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. 81 don't mind saying that I'm
ioyed 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 a ton of leadi Did you
see them two fellers follerin' me from
lions. Well, it strikes me that they
seemed a little too interested not to be
taxpayers themselves"
ooh, l suppose they meant nothing, -
said Dent II saw them, but some one
said they had been inquiring for a
small farm tor sale. What you need is
a good warm supper, and then you'll for
get your uneasiness."
"P'rhaps. Still, l wish you'd go home
with me tonight. l would feel better
with some one in the house besides me
and my wife. S'pose you go over?"
Thank you" said the young man. 81
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 I 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
the wallet of public funds under his pill
low.
Worn out with the days duties, he and
bis wife soon fell into deep slumber.
The moon was shining brightly, and
there was no sound throughout the coun-
tEyside save now and then the lowing OF