Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1909-07-15
By Special Messenger.

at is possible that | may want those
Mexican bonds this afternoon, and her
is the key OF the safe. If have to have
them | will send you note by special
messenger"
The Colonel was something ola lawyer,
speculator and broker and Miss Winnie
was his 19-year- daughter. She acted
as his amanuentis at home and was pretty
familiar with his business transactions.
The bonds spoken Of had face value OF
$4,000, but OF late had been rather "wab-
bly," in the market and had caused the Col
onel considerable anxiety. AT O'Clock
that afternoon he wanted the bonds and
telephoned his daughter to that effect,
saying that he would send messenger.
Instead of sending boy from the regular
service he stepped into the office OF Jones
next door and SAID:
Jones, want trusty fellow to run
out to my house and bring me back some
bonds. Haven't noticed young man
around here ?"
eyes. He's nephew OF mine. He's
out now, but write line and I'll send
him when he returns. He ought to go
out to East Park and back in an hour.
The Colonel wrote line to Miss Win
ME to deliver the bonds to bearer and
then went out on "the street. on bust
ness. Fifteen minutes later Jones nephew
was making for the Grand Central Station
as fast as the express in the subway
would carry him.
Jones hadn't given the young mans BIZ
ography, but 1t may be stated that his
name was Vincent Gray, his age y, and
he was in the office of his uncle TO learn
the devious ways of Wall street before
setting up in business for himself on the
comfortable fortune left him by deceased
aunt. For young man who expected to
come in contact with bulls and bears and
other animals, young Gray was very trust
full to human nature. For instance, when
his train was speeding along underneath
the streets and he was hanging to a strap
and thinking OF things financial, young
man leaned against him and picked his
pocket without exciting the least suS-
picion.
The light-fingered youth found there only
card case and the letter to Miss Winnie,
but they were sufficient to bring about
several unlocked for results. He passed
into another car and opened and read the
lettar and saw the golden opportunity he
had been looking for In the card case
were two or three dollar bills. The thief
had a right to infer that his victim had no
more money about him. He likewise
had right to infer that young Gray could
not produce the wherewithal to buy a
ticket to East Park. The fare was only
20 cents, but without it a man was as bad
as if the sum was s..
There was train ready to leave. The
thief bought his ticket and got aboard.
Vincent Gray stood at the ticket window
and fused and fumbled and was left.
His card case and money were gone, and
when he found that the letter had also
taken wings he realized that he was in
trouble. He hadn't even a nickel to get
back TO the office. He hadn'tthe where
withal to telephone TO his uncle Jones in
New street and after wasting 10 minutes
trying 10 figure out the problem he made
haste to pawn shop, where he put down
his watch for s..
The next train 10 East Park was ten min
utes late in starting, and the same in
reaching the park, so there was in all 80
minutes lost. The young man had not
suspected that he was the victim OF
pickpocket, but supposed he had lost his
property in the jam while boarding the
car. He had been told that a telephone
message would precede him, and he had
the address. Therefore, he
did not worry so much over the loss OF
the letter. II was only when he came
face to face with Winnie Graves and
stated his errand and saw her look OF sur
prise that he realized the situation.
"Why, sir" she replied, "those bonds
were delivered TO a messenger more than
half an hour ago"
"But was sent for them and was de-
layed."
"If you were-sent for them, you must
have line from my father"
IL had a line, but unfortunately | lost
it, together with my money. My name
is Vincent Gray, and | am in the office OF
Ezra Jones, in the same building with
your father am afraid that some rascal
found the lost letter and has taken advan-
tage of it,
"And am afraid that another rascal is
trying TO do the same thing" exclaimed
Miss Winnie's Aunt Ruth, who was at
the head of the house, and who has en-
tered the library just in time to hear the
young mans words.
'But, madam, you surely can't think
that p
81 can think what please, sir. Can
you imagine we were idiotic enough TO
give up those bonds without written
order from Colonel Graves ?"
"But whoever presented that order was
an imposter."
perhaps so, and perhaps it is the i'm
poster who is here now. Winnie, 60 to
the telephone and ask your father the
name of the messenger he sent. He
wouldn't have sent Tom, Dick or Harry