Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1910-11-18
A Matrimonial
Escape
By ARTHUR w. BREWSTER
Copyright, 1910, by American Press
Association.

L lived in gold mining region where
a great deal of assaying needed to be
done and, being chemist, set up an
establishment where l could do this
and other work pertaining to mines.
My place was a receptacle for gold
dust, large quantities of which were
left with me continually.
Miss Rebecca Wright, my typewrit-
er, was very circumspect young lady.
l attempted occasionally to joke with
her, but met with no response. On
one or two occasions ventured to say
something bit tender to her, but met
with no encouragement. But when q
mans mind Is set on producing re-
suits, especially with a woman, he will
not let up until he has accomplished
them or is obliged to give 1t up. What
] wished, all wished at least, at first
was to see Miss Wright show con-
sciousness Of my admiration and some
appreciation Of the fact
But something happened which led
me to forget Miss Wright and any one
else except one unknown person. That
person was getting away with gold
dust in sufficient quantities to ruin me
If the leakage continued.
No great quantity was taken at one
time. Indeed, what / missed at
weighing had but the value of a few
dollars. But l missed these small
amounts continually. 1 had nothing
laid up, aud the amounts l was losing
made up an accumulating debt. / set
watch ON every one connected with
the establishment except Miss Wright.
did not propose to have any one spy
upon girl who had every evidence Of
rectitude.
Then the stealing ceased for awhile.
began again to think of my stenogra-
pher and, yielding to pique, recon-
menced my efforts to break through
that iciness which characterized all
her actions toward me. She accepted
my attentions, but passively. She
even permitted me to retain her hand
when / took it in mine on meeting her
after a brief absence. Matters pro-
gressed between us until 1 came to
driving her out occasionally. 1 was
not especially in love with her, though
might have been had she received
my attentions more warmly. 1t was
with me rather n matter of curiosity,
though since lived lonely life in a
country where there was little of wo-
mans society 1 often thought of mar
rying Miss Wright, if l could gain her
consent, for the sake of home.
Then suddenly the leakages in gold
dust recommended. l charged several
persons in my employ with being the
thief, hoping that some one of them
would break down under the accusa'
ton and confess. Among others ac
cused the woman who kept my prem
ises in order. She turned on me like q
fury:
"If We want to know where vel
gold dust is goin' I'll tell We. The
young Teddy you're drivin' out and
sayin' sweet things to is relievin' ye OF
| it."
was too indignant to ask her sin
| gle question as to what ground she
based her charges upon. Indeed,
] feared Miss Wright might hear her
and to be charged with such crime
would break her heart. 1 therefore
dismissed the allegation with contempt
and from that time felt more tender
than ever toward the injured girl.
Indeed, / was daily becoming more
and more inclined to enter into mat
rimonial partnership with Miss Wright
| grew more and more demonstrative
in many ways indicating my intention
! Miss Wright's demeanor underwent NJ
change. She would permit me to en-
circle her waist, to kiss her; but, as fo
| responding, she made no Response
whatever. I confess that this excited
ply amour propre. though at times
felt inclined to cease my demonstra
tions, feeling that l might as wei
caress stone.
One evening was sitting on sof;
beside Miss Wright, our heads yer.
was so unresponsive. She said sh
didn't know; she had always beel
called undemonstrative. 1 wished t,
propose to her, but she was SO coli
that 1 couldn't bring myself to do SC
Though my arm was about her wais
and her head rested on my shoulder
still there was no love current running
between us.
That night on taking off my coat
saw something glitter on its shoulder
! recognized particles of gold dust.
struck me at once that the particle
were where Miss Wright's head ha
been. Then terrible thought came t
me-. Was the woman / was thinkin
of making my wife thief? Was sh
carrying away the dust in her hair?
did not sleep much that night an
the next day went away for brie
season, employing woman to spy o
Miss Wright When I returned my d.
. tective reported that every night tn
, girl washed her hair and poured off th