Woodruff County news. [volume] (McCrory, Ark.) 1901-1910, 1909-01-28

BY F. S. HESSELTINE
Copyright, by shortstory PUP. Coz

one morning IN the spring OF 189-
the attention of persons watkins
along Sudbury street, Boston, was at
tracted to huge iron safe that was
being put out from the warerooms of a
well-known safe company, which for
many years had done business on that
street.
The safe was not new; indeed, the
style and appearance of it indicated
that it had been built many years
ago for some special purpose, in which
it had doubtless seen long service. Al
together the appearance of this
strange object so excited my curiosity
that although | was in a hurry to
reach my office, 1 waited until the
thing was finally loaded and moved
slowly off UP the street. Then | en-
tered the store of the safe company,
and being well acquainted with the
the old safes history.
He replied that there was a strange
story connected with it, known now
only to himself. For certain reasons
1t never had been known except to
two people, and they had been sa-
credly bound, one by personal interest
and the other by a solemn vow, never
to dtvulge the secret This promise"
he said, has been faithfully and sacred
ly kept; but now all those in any way
connected with or affected by it have
passed beyond the dark river The
safe, which has stood here for many
years like a specter, reminding me of
the dead past, has now, to my great
relief, vanished forever, and | know
no good reason why the strange story
should not be told. While | may
withhold or change names in the re-
cital, that which I am about to relate
is true, and is capable to some extent
Of verifcation.
More than SO years ago a stranger
Of good appearance, entered the shop
of one Kershaw, a manufacturer in
this city, inquired for the proprietor
and stated that he wanted constructed
strong, fire-proof safe, giving the
description and dimensions desired
By his conversation he appeared ia
miliar with such work, and stated
plainly how he wanted this construct
ed and the kind of lock required, the
keyless combination not having then
been invented. In answer to inquiries
he said that he was about to open a
jewelry store in Hanover street, that
he did not intend to do a retail bust
ness, but would carry a considerable
stock for wholesale, visiting for trade
dealers in neighboring cities.
Beng convinced of the strangers
responsibility by large advance de-
post, and by the promise of full pay
ment on completion and delivery, Mr..
Kershaw accepted his order, and in
due time the safe was completed and
delivered. Soon after a sign was put
up on the store j. Williamson,
Wholesale Dealer in Watches and
Jewelry. No great display was made
in the window. Goods were received
and shipped by the rear entrance
opening on an alley way. Apparently
but little business was done at the
store, and frequently MI Williamson
was absent visiting his customers. or
buying additional stock in New York
city
In disposition he was quiet and re-
firing, and rarely spoke except in re-
Spouse to some inquiry Within a year
after his arrival in Boston Mr.. Will
hanson sought the hand of the eldest
daughter of a respectable merchant, a
deacon in the church which he attend
ed, producing at the same time letters
from New York indOrsing his worth
and character. Having thus satisfied
her parents, he was accepted and with
little delay married. Very soon after
he was received on profession of his
faith, into the church. and by his
quiet, correct life, liberality, and hon
est dealing, secured the confidence and
respect of all who knew him.
About this time a strange epidemic
of crime swept over the Puritanic
city of Boston. The houses of the
wealthy were entered and robbed of
their valuable contents. Packages of
money were boldly seized within the
very enclosures of the bank, the thief
escaping through some passageway or
by fastening behind him the door
through which he escaped; the satch-
els of bank messengers, filled with
valuable contents, were suddenly
snatched, and the robber eluded pur-
suit AT night persons were garroted
and robbed on the public street The
police force was small and, although
they exercised unusual diligence,
every few days some new and start
ling crime, committed with wonderful
skill and holiness, was announced. 1t
was thought that gang of expert
enced criminals had made a descent
upon the city so long exempt from
crime, and every stranger was under
suspicion and carefully watched.
One night, not long after his mar
riage, Mr.. Williamson was found on
Charleston bridge in a dazed, exhaust
ed condition, and assisted to his
home. When sufficiently recovered he
stated that while crossing the bridge
he was suddenly seized from behind.