Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-11-04
THE DAsHFORD TRAGEDY.


Dashford had sensation, and it was SO
new thing that all the village was agog-
with ears to hear of, and eyes to view the
object. Everybody in the place, probably,
Who could read, had read the name on the
looks of the Red Mug-Charles Wylie, New
FORK City.
The Red Mug was the centre of attraction
he landlord could not recall the time when
- bad had so much company-certainly not
s.ace the days OF the old regimental masters
or the time when six stages stopped over
night At his house-before the railway ahom-
nation had sprung into existence.
The Red Mug was kept open more from
the force Of habit than from any necessity
OF public house at Dashford Not once a
noOn did Landlord Stark have . guest at
dinner, and il had been SO long since the best
bed had been slept in, that the very day OF
Mr. Wylie's arrival Dame Stark had caused
Ito be transported to the top of the wood
lHie for air, and she had spent the best part
OF the forenoon beating il with bean pole
And when the depot carriage drove up to
the door, and Mr.. Wylie, portmanteau in
hand, alighted, Dame Stark was wont to de-
clare that the sight of him took all the
strength out of her, when she remembered
that there was bread pudding for dinner, and
not spoonful of preserves in the house.
sut the stranger soon set her mind at rest
s sadcrng crackers and milk for his dinner
and be did not require the feather bed at
AL be preferred the mattress.
u hhea it WAS known that there was stran-
ser their midst, the Dashford people lost
10 time in commencing investigating into
ais hsblts aud business. The landlord was
Questioned, and the facts elected that he
rose at seven, drank glass of ale or porter,
and "t on the verandah and smoked.
The Iandlady knew that he had dozen
very hne linen shirts that he wore gold
fadi-used otto of roses on his handker
eaisf, and never wiped twice on the same
"'eL The ehambermaid-who was young
and rsther pretty-knew that he had pleas
10! voice, and very soft hands, though how
sue aScertained the last fact does not appear.
Ihe young ladies' of Dashford were all ia
Asa With an astonishing liking for the soci
eV0i Dame Stark. What a multitude of
excuses they made for calling. One wanted
,'ec'fe for dyeing ribbons-another the
p.,'ern OF her cap for mother, and another
o.'led to Bee the litter of white kittens over
saeh the great white cat purred so untir
iDSS In the basket under the kitchen table.
ioa know that young ladies are prone to
"'''e harmless deceptions of this sort, the
sorld over.
'Ouetimes they saw Mr.. Wylie, and the
most glowing accounts were given of him.
-'Oul all the facts that could be gathered, it
Oaa appear that he was about twenty
s4t OF thirty years of age-rather tall and
''e1aeF, with regular features-brown eyes
SUI nair, and chestnut beard. And be-
''Se' De had naughty air, disinclination
soSiailty, and liking for pretty foot.
NeHnda brown, the very boldest of the
yUuns " ladies', gave party, and invited Mr..
!"e' 1t would be SO much pleasanter for
70 make some acquaintauces, she said.
'aS people thought he would not accept
=, e invitation, but he did SO, and was the
nc n, N the party. He charmed every one.
- manners were so polished, SO free from
t4ee'atlon, and he understood how to adapt
,''H'eif to the tastes of each one with whom
ae came in contact.
!" vas ascertained that he purpo.ed re-
-aoins In Dashford, aud that he was about
BSealhs an office in the front room of the
Mug He was a physician, of FIVE
S experience, and came here for the
~p0se Of prscticing his profession.