The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-08-19

man 10 tell where Tie OtIleT
ily is. Stillwell will not tell.
1t was after the testimony of
David Schaefer, Harpster, o., uncle
Of the lost child, and of Mrs. Fred
Paisler, Marion, an aunt, that Still
well had come to them this spring
and had told how he took the
mother away and boosted that he'd
do it again, that the man was put
under $500 bond to appear before
the grand jury.
Sat Close Together.
While the trial was in session
Perdue and Stllwell sat only few
feet apart, at the same table. AS
the father listened to the testimony
of Stillwell's boasts that he was SO
much slicker than the husband in
getting away his wife and child, the
veins in his forehead stood out like
cords. He gripped the table and
turned away.
The florid face of Stillwell grew
redder as the hearing advanced
and he trembled all over, but he
did not go on the stand.
Perdue looks like man in whom
the Joy of life has been blotted out.
He walks as if he had not quite
made up his mind where he is 60
ing.
IT'S all just as If it were yester-
day." he said 1T has never been
out of my mind a day or night in
all these years.
"You see, We were young. My
wife was just girl. She was only
16 when married her. Baby Title
was two years old when she was
taken, and Cora here was not yet
four.
Getting Along Nicely.
1--WE were getting along nicely
Our farm covered 500 acres. Oul
home was pleasant in every way
We were never tied down like
many farmers. We liked to drive
and to dance, and We went to the
neighborhood parties.
Even as young as my wife was
when married her, l had then
been in love with her for years.
saw her first when she was IL.
was on visit to Upper Sandusky
and met her. Right then | said
was going to wait for her to grow
up. But l couldn't do the waiting
at my own home, so l came to work
near where she lived"
Made Him a Wanderer.
The story halted suddenly as II
forgotten. The man shut his eyes
YEARLY. 1T made me wanderer,"
he said. I've never known a set
tied home since they left. I've been
everywhere trying to find them
I've worked on 10 railroads to get
about the country. I've taken posi-
tons with the government secret
service and with Pinkertons.
1--WE been all over the country to
get some trace of them, but I've
never looked at the old farm again
where she and the babies lived
with me. / couldn't. 1t brings II
all back so.
why, little as Title was, she
petted me like a big girl If she
wasn't put by me at the table she'd
pout up her little lips and the big
tears would come. And when she'd
be brought over she'd clap her little
spoon on the table in glee.
and how she'd watch for me at
the window. When I'd come to the
house there'd be the two curly
heads-the little one just showing
above the sill, bobbing up and down
to see papa She even seemed to
know my step when she was asleep.
Shed wake right up to put her soft,
little arms around my neck and kiss
me.
And to think that man, that man
who saw how she loved me, took
her away and taught her to call
him papa
Worked for Him.
"Stillwell was right in my house.
He worked for me- He ate at my
table. He accepted my money. Then
he stole my girl wife and baby
away.
1T all happened while l went out
to Clinton, Miss, to look at a piece
of land. The morning went away
my wife and baby went with me to
the. sattion. ! can see the little
curls flying yet. 1t was the last
time 4 ever saw them, and one of
those little curls is all ] have left.
But ! would give every dollar / can
ever earn to find that the little
head on which 1t grew has never
been harmed"
The father spread a circle of
baby yellow hair In his brown hand.
He looked 1t II q minute. then