Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-11-13
; ...A... !
|kIDNAPI
; II Was Not For Ransom. but !
3 For a Benefit to the
? Kidnapped
BY MARTHA v. MONROE


Rudolf Kenyon at sixteen gradual
ed from the high school of the town In
which he lived. He was bright boy
and would have been glad to go to
college, but his mother had done all
she could for him, and 1t was time he
began to do for her Consequently he
must go to work.
The graduating exercises were over,
the pupils had been handed their di-
plomas, and Rudolf started for his
home to tell his mother all about It,
Leaving the main thoroughfare, he
entered the quiet street in which he
lived, having still half dozen blocks
to go to reach his home, when an auto
mobile that was being driven In the
direction he was walking stopped at
the curb u few yards ahead of him,
man alighted, took him by the arm
and forced him into the car. Rudolf
was physically no match for the man
and offered little resistance. Once in
the car he was powerless to call as
slstance, for 1t was closed vehicle,
and his captOr at once drew down the
curtains.
That he was kidnapped to be held for
ransom did not occur to the boy for
several reasons In the first place, the
man who had taken him was mild
hammered person, with no resemblance
to the class of common kidnapers. In
the second place, kidnapping was as
ISOLATED In Rudolfs mind with little
children, too young to serve as effec-
tive witnesses against their captors.
Thirdly, the man told him In reas-
surfing voice that he would be at no
discomfort whatever AS they drove
along he asked Rudolf few questions.
ado you remember your fatherT
mo; he died when was a little
child"
"Has your mother ever spoken to
you Of himr"
II don't remember that she has"
"And you have never had the curl
osity to ask about him2''
Indeed, have, but have not done
so because to mention him always
gives my mother pain"
The man paused In his questions and
seemed to be thinking. Then he asked
another:
Have you ever gathered from your
nlo thok
father while living acted in a repre-
hensible manner"
mo one has ever talked to me about
him. The impression that l have re-
ceived from my mother Is that she
mourned him as any widow would
mourn her husband"
This seemed TO produce a decided
effect on the man sitting beside Rudolf
Again there was pause, Mt the end OF
which came another question.
'Then you have never heard your
mother say that your father was
bad manr
Certainly not"
The man seemed to be profoundly
moved He attempted to take the boys
hand in his, but Rudolf drew away, and
his captor did not renew the attempt.
They were some time In the car, at the
end OF which they turned Into the
grounds Of handsome house, and
the car drew up under porte-cochere
at the end of the porch. The man got
out and beckoned Rudolf to follow him.
"Come into the house with me-" he
said to the boy. ~ have something TO
tell you. If after you have had plenty
OF time to consider what I shall say to
you you wish to go home you will be
sent there"
This not only caused Rudolf to feel
easy, but by this time his curiosity
was excited to learn something about
about his father and had kidnapped
him on the very day he had been
graduated from the high school. On
entering the house a maid appeared,
and the man told her TO show the boy
TO room and he was to come down to
as required. speaking kindly to her
charge and showing him every atten-
ton. The time did not seem long be-
fore she Informed him that luncheon
was ready. On going down stairs he
found his captor in the library. Rudolf,
so far as he had noticed the mans ap-
pearance. had done so regarding him
as an enemy. Now that this feeling
had worn of he was surprised to see
gentleman who gave evidence Of re-
finement He led the boy into the
dining room, luxurlously furnished, and
butler stood ready to serve the lunch
con.
II shall not eat anything" said Ru-
dolf, It'll have had an opportunity to
send my mother a message"
THAT you may do. Has your mother
q telephoneT
mo, but our next door neighbor has
one, and we are permitted TO use t."
"Show him the telephone BOOTH"
said the host to the butler.
Rudolf went TO the booth, called for
his mother and found her much
worried at his failure 10 return to her
after the school exercises. He gave her
n brief account Of what had happened,
finding her an excellent listener, but
when he asked her for his views as to
who his captor might be and what
were his intentions he found her un.
communicative As soon as he told her
DC had been promised that after he had