Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-02-24


mean to condemn us for our questionable
methods of procedure.
1t was now late in Jan. and intensely
hot 1t was surprising to see how rap
idly the Glenelg ceased to be river, and
how each day the water-holes became
shallower. Prompted by me MIR. r
obtained, from neighboring magistrate,
orders for the police to examine every
water-hole within mile on either side Of
old Jeffrey's hut. As soon as this was
known Stevens was down at the bar try
ing, suppose to smother his memory in
deep potations of whiskey. Directly the
police commenced searching the river ]
discharged myself, and having obtained
my check, proceeded, or pretended, TO
spend it after the usual up-country fash
ion, which everybody knows, means stay
ing in the bar and shouting right off the
reel. This did not exactly do; / kept
myself sober as a judge behind the
scenes | prompted everything through
Mr.. Tt suggested every step that
had hitherto been taken, and now | bad
only to wait the result of the searching
and dragging the water-holes. Those
who know the country know that it is no
easy matter, and that it occupies consid-
cradle time. Sometimes only two or
three could be searched in day on 9th
ers more. While this was going on
Stevens became almost a resident in the
bar seldom leaving it, but betraying in
tense and childish curiosity as to the re-
suit of the search. "Have they found
anything !" or, 'haven't they found any
thing yet?' or, swell, / should have
thought they would have found something
by this time," were expressions that fre-
quently fell from his lips. 1t was /
think, the fourth day of search, and
Stevens had been drinking hard all the
time on the afternoon of that day
sack was found with human remains in
it at the bottom Of hole; and on the
evening Of that day drink and excitement
had rendered Stevens incapable of taking
care of himself, and he was conveyed to
the ock.up as drunk and disorderly. l
TOO, though perfectly sober, affected to
have been out on spree, and was locked
up in the same place with Stevens, and
my name entered on the list as drunk
and disorderly. / never saw such a
change in a man as come over Stevens
when he found was with him. The ef-
fects of the drinks we're passing away
owing to the excitement produced by the |
discovery of the remains and no sooner
was the lock turned on me than he clasp
ed me By the hand as the "Groom that
had always been SO friendly" and began
to cry like a child. His thoughts were
running on the murder, and | resolved .
to use the opportunity. To make this
right l began-'I say, Stevens do you
know they have found the old mans |
body +? 1t was in sack and was weights
ed with stones; F.; and one of the stones
was your lapstone. The skull is broken
in two places, SO that it is plain he must
have been murdered. You talked in
your sleep just now r. "Dd 1? what
did | say ?" "You said if they would let
you off you would show them where his
money was" (rhis he bad said in his
sleep.) Upon this he gave a convulsive
shrek, fell back upon the straw and ex-
claimed-"Yes, killed old Jeffrey-but
don't peach on me; F; they can only bring
me up for being drunk and disorderly,
and I'll give you half the money. | say
groom, you won't peach, will you! III
leave these parts. I've baG too much
whiskey. Let me sleep; I'll tell you
everything tomorrow but don't peach,
and I'll make a clean breast of it, Be-
fore morning broke he had confessed
every thing to me. | bad always been
a good fellow, aud he didn't mind telling
me all. He had entered the old mans
but at midnight, beat in his skull, put the
body in a sack, and, fool that he was, put
in his lapstone along with other stones,
TO make it sink, and had hid bis money
under the mud floor of his cottage. The
next morning we were both brought be-
fore the magistrate of the district as a.
foresaid. On being asked what | had to
say handed him my authority to act as
detective, and requested to be placed in
the witness-box, as | had charge Of
murder to bring against Stevens who was
there on the minor charge. In less time
than it takes to tell this, had left the
room, and to the surprise of all, especially
the local police, the well'known groom
of H-was in uniform bringing his
charge against Stevens, founded on his
own confession, 70 numbering Jeffrey.
The sequel is soon told; my evidence
bunC C,avape vvbo DreviOus TO his exc