Year: 1869

" II was just before the wal" said de-
tective to our reporter, "thst queer trick
was played me BY young fellow accused Of
forgery" .,..o .-lss-..


I" How was it 7 let me hear the story"
a Well, have no objection, but don't
interrupt me with questions


The reporter promised silence, and the de.
tective elevated his feet on the table and
thus proceeded


"1he chief called me into the Office one
morning aud told me that check for $4,000
had been drawn by the confidential clerk Of
a we'll known commercial house, and had
been cashed at the bank where their funds
we're deposited. 1t was forgery and the
clerk had left as soon as the money was OBJ
tain, d. His name was Henry Harding, be
lived in one of the interior parishes, and it
was supposed that be had gone there before
setting out elsewhere | could only learn
that be was young and of rather efemlnate
appearance. This was all the description
could ascertain. The affair had not been
blown abroad, and the chief directed me to
work up the case You know that S.
aud always work together; | called hun



researches here while went into the country.
This arranged, was soon on my way. |
had found out where the family of young
Harding lived, and l hoped to reach the
house before night, but was disappointed
Long before dusk, dark clouds began to form
along the verge of the horizon aud climb
rapidly to the zenith the thunder aud light
ming came at intervals, and | was soon as
sured that one of those semi-tropic storms
which are SO frequent in summer, would ere
long burst upon me with all its fury. has
tened forward, therefore, looking eagerly
around for a place Of shelter. had pro-
ceeded but a little distance when saw just
before me woodman's hut. | got into this
as soon as possible. l had hardly got COM
fortably sheltered before gentleman and
lady dashed up to the door aud dismuunted.
Like myself, they were seeking shelter frow
the storm. The man was mlddle-aged and
exhibited in his person the strong athletic
frame, the open brow, aud genial pleasant
face of The Southern planter; but there was
now in his countenance touch of sadness,
seemingly sense Of sorrow, strangely out Of
| keeping with what the man should have been.
His companion was girl Of exquisite beauty,
with dark, soulful eyes, and hair black AS
night. She looked indeed daughter OF the
tropics, and the tall, splendid form was regal
in Its majesty. She was such woman as a
man could wish to live for, and if need be,
die for. They we're both in travelling cos
tune, and from their conversation [ Judged
they were father and daughter. just setting
out on a Journey and endeavOring to reach
the river in time for the up going steamer.
Shortly after their arrival negro boy drove
up 10 a cart containing Trucks. On one OF
these was the name of Mss HardiDg, La


You may readily conceive that my eyes we're
wide open now, and my ears too; there was
something must needs to observe. | walked
out Of the hut aud went around to where the
negro was standing. Boy, where is youi
young master?' asked the question abrupt
ly, looking the negro in the eye.


'Golly, massa, dis chile dunno haint seen
him for mos year My re-olution was
taken on the instant-I would follow these
people. l was satisfied they we're in search
of Henry; he could not cume to them and
they we're going to him The whole matter
was clear as day. did follow them to the
river, where the daughter embarked on an
upward bound boat, and the father returned
home. took passage on the same steamer
would not lose sigSI of the girl; | was
satisfied she was going to her brother. in-
sinuated myself into her presence, and at last
got into conversation. was half in love
with her already; before we reached St


Louis | was wholly so. | learned that she
was going to New York for some object
which she did not reveal. thought knew


what the object was, but it had become oil
secondary Importance new, for was. deeply


Enthusiastically in love. Had her brnther stood


before me and she asked me TO forbear, it is
doubtful if l would have arrested him
could not exist out Of her preSeuce--she had
become the object necessary to my happiness


At last we reached New York could con
tain myself no longer; | sought an opportu
nifty aud told her of my lOve-told my name


my occupation, and present Object reveal


ed everything; | only asked to share bel
affection. She seemed greatly agitated, anG
asked that | would leave her until next day
This was the forenoon of Mondsy-TuesdaJ
afternoon called for my answer. The ser
want who answered my summons informrC
me that the young lady had left the evening
previous on a steamer for the West Indies
, but she had left note. tore open the let
ter eagerly; it contained these, words:


'SIR-For your preference | am mucl


obliged but the law forbids gentlemen mar


rying each other. Be- the time you receive
this l will be on board the West lndi
steamer. Very respectfully,
r HENRY HARDING
1t took no more to show what q trick hat
i been played on me. You may believe that
have seldom told that love story.-NeU Or
= leans Pe0yWne


|, " -~~o.--'~~~TaOVS>--~~~-
 - q


The Rev. dENRY WARD BEEcHER, say
: the Springfield Republican, seem not to hay
= returned from Boston 10 a very smiabl
J, mood, for he told his people, At the FridA.