The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1864-01-09
THE UNEXPECTED EVIDENCE.

THE UNEXPECTED EVIDENCE.
1t was at the close of a lovely day in the
month of June. 1873, when I arrived in
the village of l., in Virginia, and re-
paired to the Union Hotel-or rather tav-
ern. kept by one Timothy Brown, Esq,
celebrated throughout the country for the
excellent quality of its wines. and the sus-
picious flavor of its Havana cigars.
Having resigned my travelling trunk to
the tender mercies of burly negro porter,
I sauntered into the tavern, and taking pos.
session of the only newspaper which the
village could afford, seated myself near
the door and eagerly prepared to enjoy its
contents, which consisted of most ominous
list of advertisements, marriages, deaths,
the latest news from Richmond, and the
Virgin preparation of some rustic laureate,
''born 10 blush unseen"
Having fully satisfied myself of the fact
that the earth still continued to revolve on
its axis, ordered bottle of Madeira, and
invited "mine host" to partake of it, hop
! ing thereby to obtain some information re-
specting the world in general, and the vii
lage in particular.
The sine speedily developed its admira-
BILE qualities in the person of Mr.. Brown,
who at once produced duplicate bottle and
proposed a toast. We filed our glasses, and
| [ enuuired, twhat shall it be 90
Long life to Ned Marston, and confu-
sion to his enemies,' said Timothy, as he
quafed the inspiring draught.
And pray, who is Ned Marston 90
"Why, the young fellow that's to be tried
tomorrow for numbering Squire Somers.
Haven't you heard of it?
"I have not" said I /; " but should like
to hear all about it, if you will consent to
crafty my curiosity"
He at once assented, and accordingly ]
comfortably located my feet upon the ad-
Joining mantle piece, and having lighted g
cigar, I listened attentively to the following
graphic and interesting detail of the circum-
stances, which I subjoin for the benefit Of
the reader:
cit is about two years ago, to-day
commenced Timothy, " since Mr.. Somers
came here, bringing with him his daughter
Emily, as fine girl as the sun ever shone
upon.
He bought the big white house just be-
yond here. on the hill, with all the ground
near it, and called it the Summerville
Grove Some weeks after they got settled
there came a young chap from Richmond
Ned Marston, a second cousin to Miss EN-
lily, and great friend to the family
It seems that he lost his father some two
or three years ago, WHO left him nothing
but widowed mother and a good educa-
ton. He went to practice law, but his
heart was too big for his pocket. so he came
down and consulted me over again"
"Did his mother come with him %
asked.
40, yes but the old lady died in very
short time after it, and left Ned alone in
the world--that is as far as near relations
are concerned. He took great fancy tc
Miss Emily, and the old gentleman, hel
father, was very kind to him, and helped
him along as much as he could.
/ Things went on very well, until the last
of July, when Ned had long talk with Mr.
. Somers, and finished by asking him for his
daughter. People say that the old man re
fused him. Anyhow, Ned left the house
in huff, and never went there again.
j "But why should Mr.. Somers refus,
him. if his daughter loved him % asked
''Well, he told him it took money to keeI
a wife, and that he couldn't expect to live
on love-"
One night they had party at Johr
Fairley's, who lives near the grove. Miss
Emily was invited. and so was Marston
Old Fairley's son, James, who had jus: re
turned from college. was very polite TO her
and was mad enough because she danced
with Ned, and would not have anything t.
fsay TO him.
After that he called to see her very often
but she always managed to avoid him.
No, she said, she was her own mistress
and could do as she pleased. Young Fair
Hey said he knew who was at the bottom Q
/ it all, and swore be would fix him for it.
A few days ago. Mr.. Somers went Wit
| Fairly to hunt rabits among the hills. The.
bad only been gone short time, when MI
Fairly came running in here, almost out c
} breath, and as pale as ghost. He sal
that old Somers had been murdered, an
that Ned Marston had shot him.
ct started right off with him, and foun
the body laying on its face, and the bae
t of his head was full of shot.
E And there sat Ned close by it, with hi
face on his hand, and his gun close by hiu
t AS soon as he saw me coming. he jumpe
r up and said Ny God I've murdered
then fell down and tainted. We carried th
body TO the house, and poor Miss Emily VI