Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-04-29

Soo'N1ia4J viii ueI' ana Oh entering ner
mistress bed chamber had discovered the
fearful tragedy. She at once opened the
window and screamed out murder p
She testified to the great affection Miss
Millwood entertained for her aunt, and it
was her opinion that she was entirely
guiltless of the crime imputed to her.
l soon found that this Hannah was
what is called smart girl She gave
her answers readily and without hesita-
tion-almost too much so to please my
fastidious taste.
have already said that it was no wo-
man who had committed the deed-this
of course preeluded the idea of Hannah
being the guilty party. The question
then arose, if neither of the women com
mitted the deed, who was the murderer +?
Here must acknowledge I was com
pletely at fault. All the doors and win
dows being fastened on the inside, pre-
eluded the idea of the house having been
entered from without.
/ felt annoyed at being bafled, and
started to walk TO the ferry, as night was
fast approaching. had not proceeded
many steps down Grand Street, when
my eyes were attracted by the glaring
show bottles of a drug store. A sudden
thought came into my head and entered
theshop.
Two or three people were inside imbi-
bing soda water. 1 was very thirsty,and
waited my turn. The owner of the
store and a customer were conversing
about the murder.
There can be no doubt of Miss Mill
woods guilt said the druggist, but,
Lord! should have thought she would
have been the last person in the world to
have done such deed; she is such nice
spoken young lady.
You know her, them? said the custo-
mer.
Certainly; know them all. Why.
only the very evening of the murder,the
servant girl, Hannah, was in my store
1 Ipricked up my ears, but no further
conversation passed between them. The
customers were all served; and 1 was the
only one left.
You stated just now that Mrs. We'll
don's servant girl, Hannah, was in your
store on the night of the murder. May
1 ask what she bought?
Let me see,' returned the druggist; it
was morphine-she stated she had a
toothaehe.'
l said no more, but 1 left the store. I
had now the first clue-it was a faint
one, to be sure, but felt certain Hannah
knew more about the murder than any,
body else. I remembered Miss Mil
woods extraordinary drowsiness on the
night in question, and to this I added the
fact that she had partaken of a cup of
tea prepared by Hannah, and that the
latter had purchased morphine the same
evening at the drug store. But then my
first conviction pushed itself into nv
mind-no woman had committed the
deed. The first link of the chain was
found, however, and I was now hopeful.
| resumed my walk toward the ferry, de-
termined to sleep on it.
During that memorable walk down
Grand street, something also immediate
ly attracted my attention. 1t was tall
or's shop, outside of which various gar
ments were exposed for sale. Among
them were some vests, the buttons of
which Immediately struck ne they were
made of blue porcelain.
l began to examine these things as if
[ wanted to purchase. An obliging shop
man came outside to try to sell.
: What do you ask for one of these
vests ? I demanded.
Two dollars was the reply.
They are something new, are they
notY 1 inquired.
Quite new; we have not sold more
than two or three of them. We have
not had them in the shop more than
three or four days
'I saw a man with one on yesterday
I said.
You mean Bill Hostley, ostler at the
George Inn
Yes, that was the man, 1 returned.
Good evening I don't think will buy
one tonight
To make my way to the George Inn
was the work Of ysry few minutes. I
asked to see the ostler, and was directed
to the stable.
l approached it with cautious steD.
and peeped in the door. The ostIer was
cleaning down horse with his left hand
Soon he turned, and be wore the famous