Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-09-15
..A...
KIDNAPPING.
Il Was Not For Ransom. but
For q Benefit to the
Kidnapped
n. NADTuA " AnMDnE
By MARTHA v. MONROE


ed from the high school Of the town In
which he lived. He WIS 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 60 to work.
The graduating exercises were over
the pupils had been handed their d.
plomas, and Rudolf started for bis
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 20 to reach his home. when an auto
mobile that was being driven In the
direction he was walking stopped III
the curb few yards ahead Of him. a
man alighted. took him by the arm
and forced him into the cur. Rudolf
was physically no match for the man
and offered little resistance Once IN
the car he was powerless to call u.s.
sistance. for it 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 Rudolrs mind with little
children, too young to serve as efec-
live witnesses against their capt0rs.
Thirdly, the man told him In Il 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 was a little
child"
HAS your mother ever spoken to
you of him?"
81 don't remember that she has.
"And you have never had the curl
osity to ask about himT'
Indeed, have. but have not done
10 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
mother or any one else that your
father while living acted In 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 us any widow would
mourn her husband"
Thu; seemed to produce decided
feet OH the Iian sitting beside Rudolf.
again there WAS pause, Mt the end OF
vhic! came another question.
Then you have never heard your
mother say that your father was
nd MANI?
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
cut and beckoned Rudolf to follow him.
"Come into the house with me-" he
said to the boy. II have something to
tell you. II after you have had plenty
of time to consider what l shall say to
you you wish to 90 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
this man who had asked him questions
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 a room and he was to come down to
luncheon In half an hour. The maid did
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 be was surprised to see
II gentleman who gave evidence Of re,
inement. He led the boy into the
dining room, luxuriously 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 message"
THAT you may do. Has your mother
a telephone?
mo. but our next door neighbor has
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 for
his mother and found her much
worried at his failure to 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
he had been promised that after he had
listened 10 what the stranger had to
say and had time to consider It be
might 60 home she seemed much re-
lieved and told him not to try to e.
cape, but await further developments.
On leaving the telephone Rudolf
found bis captor-host waiting for him
In the dining room. and the two sat
down to such a luncheon as. the boy
had never tasted before. While they
were eating the gentleman talked, but
not about what Rudolf wished to hear
an explanation Of this strange captiv.
ity. he asked Rudolf what he proposed
to do now that he had left school, and
when Rudolf told him that he was 60.
ing to hunt for position In business
the other shook his head.
you will never succeed in business.
he said.