Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1914-12-30

1t Was Not For Ransom, but
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 a bright boy
and would have been glad to go to
college, but his mother had done all
she could for him, and it 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
to go to reach his home, when an auto
mobile that was being driven in the
direction he was walking stopped at
the curb a few yards ahead of him. a
man alighted. took him by the arm
and forced him into the car. Rudolf
was, hysically no match for the man
and offered little resistance. Once in
ear..he was powerless to call as
lnc< or it was a closed vehicle,
&aptor at once drew down the
Ehaf2ke was kidnapped to be held for
a6on did not occur to the boy for
zex Reasons. In the first place, the
oar who had taken him was mild
m4hnered person, with no resemblance
to the class of common kidnapers. In
the second place, kidnapping was as
ISOLATED in Rudolf's 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.
do you remember your father:'
mo: he died when I was a little
child"
HAS your mother ever spoken to
you of him?''
Il don't remember that she has.
"And you have never had the curl
osity to ask about him.?
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
49, anethar:
Have you ever gathered from your
mother or any one else that your
father while living acted in a repre-
hensible manner?"
No one has ever talked to me about
him. The impression that | 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, at the end OF
which came another question.
.'Then you have never heard your
mother say that your father was a
bad man?"
"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 We're some time in the car. at the
end of which they turned into the
grounds of a handsome house. and
the car drew up under a porte-cochere
at the end of the porch. The man got
put and beckoned Rudolf to follow him
Come into the house with me- be
said to the boy. 81 have something tC
tell you. If after you have had plenty
of time to consider what l shall say tt
you you wish to go home you will bt
sent there"
This not only caused Rudolf to fee
easy. but by this time his curiosity
was excited to learn something abou
this man who had asked him questions
about his father and had kidnapped
him on the very day he had beer
graduated from the high school. On
entering the house a maid appeared
and the man told her to show the DO,
to room and be was to come down t
luncheon in half an hour. The maid di
as required. speaking kindly to he
charge and showing him every atten
ton The time did not seem long be
fore she informed him that luncheo
was ready. On going down stairs b
found his captor in the library Rudol
so far as he had noticed the mans az
pearance. had done so regarding hir
as an enemy. Now that this feelin
had worn off he was surprised to Sc
a gentleman who gave evidence of RI
fnement. He led the boy into th
dining room. luxuriously furnished an
a butler stood ready to serve the lunci
con.
81 shall not eat anything" said Ri
al I ho6 ~
send my mother a messag e.'
That you may do. Has your mothe
telephone?"
mo but our next door neighbor ha
one. and we are permitted to use it."
"Show him the telephone booth
said the host to the butler.
Rudolf went to the booth. called fo
bis mother and found her niue
worried at his failure to return to he
after the school exercises He gave he