The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-09-28

add much to what vestiges of respecta-
bility might still be lingering about the
house.
A bargain was struck, and Mr.. Arthur
Peerwell became a perminant boarder.
He was quitea windfall to the suspect
ed inn. Whenever disparaging re-
mark was uttered in the hearing of Mrs.
Leerwell or her brother Peter, they point
ed to the deaf boarder, who, they said,
had known them of old, was immensely
rich, and a gentleman, any one could
see; and would not be likely to trust
himself with any one who were not hon
est and blameless in every respect.
They delighted to hold frequent COM
municatiom with him, on greasy slate
which lay on the bar, that travellers and
others might see how familiar they were
with so fine gentleman.
Ofcourse, many odd mistakes occurred
at the tavern, resulting from forgetful-
part Of Others, that there was a deaf and
who had not due reverence for misfOr-
tune, considering that he could not hear,
called him the "Post." Occasionally,
such is the deprBvity of human nature,
miscellaneously surveyed, stray travel
lers would address him in the language
of ribaldry; and some tried ludicrous
experiments upon him, to see if he really
was really as deaf as he was represented;
and once, when coarse fellow stepped
up to him and shouted rudely in his ear,
and was instantly Knocked down for the
act, quarrel was expected, but died
away, in merely angry words on the
part of the fellow and his friends; for as
Peerwell made no reply, they We're con-
WINGED and ashamed.
So confident was the hostess that he
was as deafas post, after several weeks
observation, that he was allowed to be
present when they spoke of matters Of
the utmost privacy between them and
they even then paid little more attention
to his presence than if he had indeed
been post or statute.
Upon one occasion, when the three
sat together in the parlor, no other be-
ing within hearing, and Mr.. PeerWeu
being engaged in reading the hostess re-
marked to Peter:
II don't know which to be the most
sorry for, Peter, that the man was put
,ut of the way, or that we got nomoney
oy poisoning him. If we hadn't ha'
oeen drunk, we shouldn't have been so
positive that the money espoke of, was
with him then.'
'0The man drank and must have lied"
said Peter gruff1y.
mo; l think he must have slowed it
away in some bank, atore he came on
here.'
eff he hadn't been fool, then, he
would not have blabbled about it, and
,sh' ,y ha, .e ho hs thg 1oT Ana we
lars We contrived to bride the physician
with, who opened the body. A losing
job all round, that! Hang the drink -
Peerwellis face underwent terrible
change as this conversation proceeded
but he bent over his book so that the fact
was unobserved.
81 only hope no i'll will come of il: :"
said Mrs. Leerwell, TREMENDOUSLY, as she
rose to leave the room.
"INhe man is dead, and what more do
you want?o replied Peter, surlily, fol-
lowing her.
"But that plaguy physician !" added
Mrs. Leerwell, as they Withdrew from
the parIor,
The sup posed deaf man started up,
paced the apartment for awhile, as il
resolving what to do and soon after
left the inn.
lie was no other than Harry Hemans,
the faithful, perseVering friend of John
travis, ana the fuse ne hau adopted had
at last confirmed his suspicious.
fastening at once to the authorities,
his story was briefly told, and before the
'sun went down, themurderers and their
aceoInplice after the fact were in prison,
in separate cells
On the following day, the body Of the
murdered man was oXhumod, and ply
sie;aas acknowledgement and pFobity
maas new examination, which proved
the existence Of 9 deadly poison IA The
sto14aeh Of the murdered nam.
it4nans catered the room for an in
stans While the annylizafion was being
made t. take q glance Al. the body of
his i2islG; but It was so diahgarad tha6
the a'ifAt+ he had 81 IS eaH 4 7a 10
sicizen and faint as soon - he repassea
the thrc 6oM.
Ihe islTos q the gull 81 woman was 50
great, II lie she rea1a iaed ID her cell,
that she made a vo'HntarF cent .0n Of
her guilt: q confession to Whicf she cd
hered at the trial, and Which was cor
roboHated by the attending circumstan-
ccs and the result of tie tragedy was
the Ultimate execution Of Peter, and the
sentence of Mrs. Leerwell and the vii
| lainOuS physician to imDfieOnmenf for