The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-03-12

Win the Idrm.
"Husbsnd," said the wife, "did you ob
serve Richard while you were reading p
He acted singular"
ale is very singular individual" va
the reply.
So he was. And Mr. Smith had goot
reasons for his opinion. About seven year
previous to this time, during Mr.. Smiths
absence with farm produce In the city, Thu
man came to his house, walking in with al
the familiarity Of one at home, making IN
quiries about family affairs, and how they
had all been during his absence: In fact
assuming in all business matters about the
place, the position Of Mr.. Smith, as though
he was that individual, and had Just return
ed home after a long journey. AT first
Mrs. Smith was alarmed, but soon found
that her new lord was an inofensive ant
harmless maniac.
When Mr.. Smith returned, the new com.
er met him at the gate, invited him In, and
welcomed him to the house; asked him y
he would have the horse put up and stay al
night, and finally seemed to come to the
conclusion that he had right to stay, iron
the fact that he was some one that had beer
attending to his affairs during his long ab
sence from home-for such the deranget
man considered it. And in this position
the. new conner not only installed himself
but continued for seven long years valua'
BILE aborer, asking as his only recomPense
his food and clothing, a privilege OF calling
everything his, although willing to allow
the real owner to transact all the business
and handle all the money. The only name
he was known by was Richard, and he ut
terly refused to give any clue to who Of
what he was, or where he came from, ant
he soon ceased to be a wonder. Ii was re-
marked that he had a scar Of severe cu
on his head, and whenever any allusioni
were made to 1t, he showed some excite
ment, and sometimes anger. Otherwise be
was docile, eontented and happy, never az
string to 90 anywhere off the farm. This
evening, during the reading Of the murder
trial Of the Bownes, he had shown more IN
terest than ever observed before upon any
subject unconnected with his everyday oc.
cupation, and this being observed by Mrs
Smith, led to frequent consultations and
queries, coupled with attempts to elicit
something from Richard that would connect
him with that affair; but oil without sue
cess.
Il was about this time that VIM. NJ. Price
became some way cognizant OF the circum
stances connected with this singular indl'
vidual, and having also read the account o.
the trial and conviction Of the men, as be
thought upon insufficient evidence, he made
a Journey on purpose to see the man Rich
ard, and elicit, il possible, something frou
him. Undoubtedly it was through the in
fluence Of Mr.. Price that MIR. Smith took
the course that he did; for the more he
thought Of the strunge disappearance ol
Colyin in Vermont, and the sudden appear.
ance OF this man in New Jersey, and his
mysterious conduct since, and coupled that
with the scar upon his head, he determined
to act, perhaps to save the life OF an inno-
cent man; at all events, to satisfy himself
that he had not been criminally negligent
in permitting man to be executed whom
he could save. But how was he to carry
their plans into execution? This was, with
out letting another party into the secret, 50
as not to bring ridicule on him II he was
mistaken in his supposl,ion, TO take Rich
ard to Manchester, and see If any one there
would recognize him after seven years alb.
sence, changed as he undoubtedly was in
his appearance. Our philanthropist was
convinced from all he could get out of Rich
ard, that il would not do to make any direct
propositions to him upon the subject, bu,
the more he thought upon the matter, the
more determined he was to act, and there
was no time to lose, as only three weeks
now remained to the prisoner. We forgel
what s,ratagem was used to induce the de.
ranged man to make an unwonted journey
though we are impressed with the opinion
il was to purchase an addition 10 the farm
which he had long desired, that he consent
ed to make journey by mail stage-,here
were no railroads forty years ago-t!ayel
ing day and night into some unknown re-
gion, without exciting any suspicion thai
their ultimate determination was a plar
concerning which he never would hold any
conversation.
In the meantime, the discussion Of the
innocence or guilt Of the man, had broken
out afresh, as he had recanted his confes'
sion, and insisted that he was innocent
Besides, he had dream, three times re.
pea,ed, that Co!vin was alive, and would
make his appearance, although, as he said
"not until alter he was hung"
During this state Of things there was ,
crowd at the public house in Manchester
discussing the topic one evening, when the
stage from the south drew up. Among the
crowd which always gathers around the
door when the stage arrives at village inn,
was man who had rather firmly maintain.
ed that Bownes was guilty until the dream
came out but, being believer in dreams
his faith Sas staggered, and he said he
"didn't know about it." The stage driver
reined up ut the door, and the tin lantern o
the hostler opened the blaze Of tallow
candle full in the faces of passengers a,
they alighted. Mr.. Smith alighted without
exciting any remark. Not so his compan
ion. Ii was an anxious moment fot Mr.
Smith, for there was the spot where his sus.
picions were to be proved true, and his hope
10 save the life Of an innocent man gratified
or forever crushed. He said to Richard, q,
he got out, "Come, let Us hurry and ge
supper before the stage starts" As Rich
ard got out, the light fell in his face, blind
ing his vision, bu, enabling the crowd Il
see him to advantage. He was startled a
sudden vociferation Of the individual WHIT
had been troubled about the dream, WHIT
exclaimed, $50 help me God, but there Il
Richard Colvin." Twenty other men wer,
present to confirm the assertion, and in III,
next minute the whole town might hav'
been there to add confirmation, for shout af
Il. II -al- = n