The Calumet news., 1911-12-07
A TriAing
Mistake
1t Led to Turning the Careers
Of Two Persons Into a
Single Channel.
By EGBERT CROSBY
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.


**T*F'sT'F'*'s''s'.F's'' '.''t ~ 's's'+Ss's-
Letter carriers are proverbially care
less in leaving mail at the wrong ad-
dress, or, rather, having so many to
leave, 1t is wonder they don't make
more mistakes than they do. Careless
ness in the writer has perhaps more to
do with letters being delivered to the
wrong person than either Of these
causes.
One day II letter addressed in a fem
inine hand was left by the carrier for
me. opened it and read ii. 1t was
very short and to the point:
Ten p. m. Thursday at the fountain. vlo-
let's in my belt. Hold rose in your left
hand. LAURA.
Iopened my eyes very wide and gave
low whistle. Who could it be who
was making an appointment with me?
Then l looked again at the address.
My name is Francis b. Marshall, and
the superscription appeared to be T..
B. Marshall, but IL might have been Il.
B. Winchell. | thought over every per.
son who might possibly desire to see
me clandestinely. but could fix upon
no one. What should do i'm the mat
ter? Should return the letter to the
postman? Since had opened il, that
would not do at all. Besides, / was
not sure the letter was not for me.
Should / keep the appointment and
possibly risk intruding upon the secret
of others? l finally decided TO meet
Laura and, If | was not the person
she desired to meet, hand her her let
ter, that she might know IL had been
missent.
Since there was but one fountain in
town, and that in the center of an
open square, | was not in doubt as to
the place designated for the meeting.
1t was public place, where strangers
might meet without being especially
noticed. Laura had evidently never
seen me nor | Laura, else we would
not have to wear some mark by which
to be known TO each other.
When the clock in church tower
near by the park struck 10 | entered
the park carrying rose in my hand.
and, approaching the fountain. stood
leaning upon the basin looking at the
tiny wavelets made by the water
sprinlling down upon il. | had waited
perhaps five minutes when l saw
lady advancing with some violets
tucked in her belt 1t occurred TO me
that she was purposely n tri1e late
that she might inspect me before
should be able TO inspect her and did
not doubt that she had got n view OF
me while | was standing under the
lighted fountain. As she approached
/ advanced to meet her, lifting my hat
at the same time. AS we walked away
together she said:
"Let me explain to you why have
arranged this meeting instead of call
ing at your office or asking you to
come and see me. AS you are aware.
Mr.. Lathrop's death without will
has put the estate In a tangle. | am
not so sure that he did not leave a
will in my favor. am the only
daughter of his favOrite brother and
took care OF him during his last i'll
ness. He said TO me on several occa-
siOns: Marion, | have made will
leaving everything TO you. You will
find II In the tin box In which l keep
al my papers in the closet of my bed
room When / opened the box after
the funeral it was not there"
This revealed TO me that the letter
sent me had not been intended for
me. But though ] am not profes-
sional detective l think i have n de
tectlves instinct, for in this case SO
far as the girl had impaired it to me
/ thought | smelled rascllity, and its
uncovering Interested me. permitted
her TO go on.
IL saw your personal stating that
you had q knowledge of such will
and would like 20 see me regarding