Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 September 1887 — A ROBBERY. [ARTICLE]

A ROBBERY.

Something very unusual to quiet. Talmlev lmd happened, and Talalley ■was decidedly uncomfortable about it. Of course everybody knew, as everybody, kt\e\v everything in that ddllghU ful little place, where-each neighbor was a friend, each friend a brother; and what the village folk knew was this—tlie miller, old Harvey Jameson, had been robbed. x • “A queer business,neighbor Greene,” ; said the miller, shaking his xiristy bead I solemnly, and telling the circa instances j for the fiftieth time.-IIN-ohody knewJ that 1 bad the money but my daughter < Jamie and young Levon, and 1 can’t suspect a single soul. 1 put the money in a tin fcp;t and put that among a lot of o.her boxes in the cupboard, waiting ; till I could go to the bank with it, and lo and behold! when I went to ge; it out yesterday, there wasn’t a single sign of a box or money there, I can’t understand it.” ■ . ; “Neither do I . neighbor,” said Greene, running a brawny hand over hie shock of untidy hair; “neither can I. But I do think ye set too much’store by that young Levoe ye’ve took into your house is a mil] hand, aa’.mebbe vonr mistook in him. He's a deal too fine about his clothes and his hands and his hair to be any too honest; but,” cautiously as he saw the flush that stole over Jameson’s face, “but meblre I’m talking to fast; but it’s mighty curiouV, anrione don’t know what to think.” Then Greene bade the miller goodday, and betook himself to his duties on the farm hard by the milL *T’U just keep my eyes open, and not let on for awhile.’’ thought the miller; “but as Greene said, who else could hare stolen the money?” - He perceived no change in Dick; no confusion, no sign of guilt; hut, greatly to the good man’s consternation, he discovered something else. The young man was in love with pretty Jennie, and she was feflly-convinced oLthe fact. Here was a new difficulty, and one which the miller, did not care to meet. “An’ Jennie an’ him seem to understand one another far tod well,”. he soliloquised. “I used to like the lad, but now I’d as iief see my girl care for old blind Jack the fiddler as this fine gentleman. As Green says, he’s to fancy about himself to be honest. I’ve often heard ‘the greater the rascal the more genteel,’ and I guess that I’ll load the rifle,” __ He did load” the rifle, and place,'; it near Tus ImlTTeiiiiig his wife that he - warn't going to lose any mure money, but the first one that came for dishonest purposes would lose his life.” That night his wife's sleep was broken by the strange;-: and most thrilling of sounds, no less startling than a heavy fall and loud, harsh, reverberating re--7 port, as thong!; a cannon had been fired almost at her ear. There was a rush of feet in the hall without, a stout shoulder sent the door inward with a crash, and Dick Levoe, who made this unceremonious entrance stood there , with a light abo*ve his head, his keen eyes scanning the small apartment swiftly. It took him but .a moment to comprehend the situation of a flairs,'and then he laughed with an immeasurable amusement. The miller, clad but lightly, was - sprawling on the floor, a dazed wonder in his face, the old rifle, which he had struck as he fell, lying harmless beside him, and now unloaded. A window was open, and through it came a fine sheet of rain. The old man was soaking wet, and rain drops glistened on his hair and scanty garments. His hare feet were muddy, and altogether he presented anything but an agreeable or presentable appearance. “I’ve been walkin' in my sleep, sure ■ as you’re a livin’ woman!” groaned the disgusted miller to bis wife.- "And I’m all wet, so I must have gone out of doors, an’the Lord only knows, wife, where I’ve been or what I’ve been do n’.” He broke off suddenly, and hurried to the spot in which he bad hidden h:s money. 11 was not there. "Lad,” the miller said solemnly, “I believe I’ve robbed myself. I’ve heard of just such things, an’ now I believe I’ve done just that, and I ha’n’t got a notion where I gut the money.” "Then you had best put on dry clothes, sir, and I will go and try to follow the tracks you have probably left in the garden. Your feet are so muddy* Tm Sure you must have. HI report in a few moments.” ‘ the soft soil of thegarden. Dick followed them on, across the road, and found that they ceased at one corner of the BUIL A loose board had been freshly replaced. He drew it out, and there in tiie aperture found a small tin box. Taking it out he hurried back, to find

Jameson, his wife, and Jennie up and dressed, waiting for him. The miller took the box eagerly and opened it with scarcely steady hands. There was All) and under them the money of which he had thought Dick had robbed him. "Lad,” he said, turning to his employe, M I’ve been thinking ill of you for the last few days an’ I ask your pardon. If t can ever do you a good turn call on me.” “1 take you at your word, sir,”, said .Dick, cheerfully, going straight up to Jennie, and takiiig her hand; “I want your to consent to my marrying Jennie I somealay, when T have proved myself able to care for, fier. We'love ericli I other, and I bop", sir, you’ll not forgot what love w as to yourself once;” “No, 1 don’t lad,” said tip- puller, with a tender glance toward his wife. “But a mill hand gets very poor wages, as you know, lax), an’ you’ll have .to wait awhile.” “As for that,” said Dick, “I think you’ll have to- look up another mill hand, Mr. Jameson,.for 1 'have another offer, and intend taking it. I wasn’t brought up to labor, aftd was at college when my father died, leaving me, instead of the thousands T expected, nothing but my empty untrained hands. 1 left the college and fate led me hither. If I hare whoxvn ho talent as a miller, I have won the sweetest girl jn the world to love me. Now a friend of my father's offers me. a position as bookkeeper in Lis bank at a salary on which Jennie and I can live, Iknow. I didn’t take your money, sir, and I will forgive you for suspecting that I did if you- will give me Jennie.” “I love him, father,” she whispereifr “Then I’ll only say, God bless you both,” said the nuller.