, 1861-02-21
Experienee Of a Rarrister.


built, but somewhat struggling building known
as Craig Farm House. The farm consisted Of
about one hundred acres Of tolerable arabic and
meadow land, and belonged to farTer Of the
name Of Armstrong. He had purchased il about
three years previously, at q sale held in puFsu-
ance Of decree Of the High Court Of Chancery,
Farmer Armstrong was married, but childless
his dame, like himself, was q native Of Devon
shire. They bore the character Of plodding,
taciturn. morose-manncred couple seldom leay-
ing the farm except to attend market, and rarely
seen at church or chapel, they naturally enough
bee anne Cb; c.s Of suspicion and dislike to the
prying, gossiping villagers, to whom mystery or
reserve OF any kind was Of course exceedingly
annoying and unpleasant ... ...... .-.'-..l
Soon after Armstrong was settled in his new
purchase, another stranger arrived, and took up
| his abode in the best apartments Of the house.
The newcomer, Q man Of about fifty years Of
age, and evidently, from his dress and gait a
seaiaring person, was as reserved and unsocial as
he chose to be known by, was Wilson, He had
one child, a daughter, about thirteen years Of
age, whom he placed at boarding in the
adjacent town. lie seldom saw her; the inter
course between the father and the daughter be.
ing principally carried on through Mary Strug-
| nell, widow Of about thirty years Of age, and
| a native Of the place. She was engaged as SER
want to Mr.. Wilson, and seldom left Craig Farm
except on Sunday afternoons when,i the wea-
ther was at all favorable, she paid visit TO an
aunt living in the town there saw Miss Wilson;
and returned home usually at halfpast ten o'clock
later rather than earlier Armstrong was oc-
caSionally absent from his home for several days
together, on business, it was rumored, for Will
son; and on the Sunday in the first week Of
January, 1909, both he and his wife had been
away for upwards Of week, and were not yet
returned 81. .-.., -. ........., =.
About quarter past ten o'clock on that even
ing the eaily-retiring inhabitants Of the hamlet
were sonsed frnm their slumbers by loud, con-
tnuous Knocking at the front door Of Arm
Strone's house: louder and louder, more and
more vehement and impatient, resounded the
blows upon the Stiffness Of the night, till the
soundest sIcepers were awakened. Windows
were hastily thrown Open, and presently numer-
Gus footsteps approached the scene Of growing
hubbub. The nnwOnted noise was caused, il
was tound, BY farmer Armstrong, who, accom-
panied by his wife, was laundering vehcmently
upon the door with heavy blaCk-thOrn stick,
Stlll no answer was obtained. Mrs. Strugnel,
It was supposed had not returned from town;
but where was Mr. Wilson, who was always at
home both day and night? Presently lad
called out that white sheet or cloth Of some
sort was hanging out Of one Of he back win
dows. This announcement confirming the
vague apprehensions which had begun to germi-
nato in the wise heads Of the villagers, disposed
then to adont mort effectlal mode Of Obtain
ing admission than knocking seemed likely to
prove. Johnson, the constable Of the parish, q
man OF great shrewdncss at once proposed to
br' ak in the door. Armstrong. who, as well as
his wife, was deadly pale, and tremb ing violently,
either with cold or agitation, hestati1gly con-,
sented, and crowbars being speedily procured,
entrance Srao ennnod nj IN r,,ehod acora of
excited men,. Armstrong; wife, il was aier.i
wards remembered, caught hold Of her husbands
arm in hurried, frightened manner, whispered
hastily in his ear, and then both followed into
the house. l -.H.-. -sr-. Ir .....5Iss.t -g,,.l
snow, farmer'g cried johnson, as soon as he
had procured light, "lCad the way up stairs"
Armstrong, who appeared 10 have somewhat
Uncovered from his panic, darted at once up the
staircase, followed by the whole body Of rustics.
On reaching the landing-place, he knocked at
Mr. Wilson's bedroom door. No answer was
returned. Armstrong seemed to hesitate, but
the constable at once lilted the latch they en-.
tered, and then melancholy spectacle presented
ITSELF .,,i I'D. 7. ....i,. - ~, ~, ,,,,
Wilson, completely dressed, lay extended on
the floor q lfeless cornse lie had been stabbed
in two places in the breast with snme sharp
pointed instrument Life was quite extinct
The window was open On farther inspection,
several bundles containing many Of Wilson's
valuables in jewelry and plate, together with
cIoehes, SHIRTS, and silk handkcrchetS were found
The wardrobe and secretary bureau had been
forced open. The essassins had, it seemed, heen
disturbed, and had hurried on by the wlndow
without their plumber. hat was also picked
up in the room, shiny, black hat, much TOO
small Tor the deceased. The constable snatched
Il up, and attempted To clap It on Armstrong;
head, but i was not nearly large enough. This,
- Al Na- =
togethcr with the bundles dlssipated suspicion
which nad been growing IN Johpson's mind, and
s".ro Ss roughly exclaimed You need no. look & 50