The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-10-21
A MARVELLOUS EVENT.

A MARVELLOUS EVENT.
Mrs. Janet Ntowbray and her four sons
lived in 1928 at lIurwick Hall, In the coun.
ty Durham, England. Mrs. Mowbray
wis tall, powerful woman Of great ciler.
gy and bravery, in her llfty.iourth year.
Her sons were aged respectively thirty.
four, twOnty.Seyen, twenty.four, aud
twcnty.one. Her husband had been dead
many years. Her two eldest sons were
married, and their wives ard families lived
with her. The youngest, George, was
wild and dissiratcd, and lad gwen BIZ
mother much trouble. He was deeply ,n
debt, and bad been repeatedly threatened
with arrest, Mrs. Mowbray was wealthy,
and kept in her bedroom, besides quantity
ofvaluablc plate, n large sum II money.
On Christmas eve Mrs. MowbIay's son.
and daughtcrsin.law paid visit to the
residence Of relative, Mr. ChakGr Of
Chatcrsburg. The domestics, relieved
from duty, were in their own portion oI
tho dwelling, enjoying the festivities oI
the season. The watchman, who was ordi.
nNtily eli drty in kitchen garden, took q
hasLy survey Of bis beat, and Joined the
jewellers in the kitchen.
On Christmas night they were to have
a small gathering Of friends and neighbors,
aud Mrs. Mowbray began to consider the
neeessay arrangements. She would re-
qu'rc the old punch bowl and the ladies and
goblets which she kept in the closet Of her
bedroom. She went accordingly and
entered the closet and took out the silver,
and laid 1t on the shelf, ready for removal
the next morning. At the same time she
took out large old-fashioned carving
knife and fork Of quaint pattern, and de.
posted them on the shelf. She then re-
turned to tho parlor. After sitting aud
musiDg for some time, she took up the
Bible and tumbledI for her spectacles. She
could not find them, and at length remem.
bered that she had left them on the shelf
in the closet. She at once returned for
them. Entering her bedroom, she placed
the candle on the dressing.tablc, and light
ed small lamp, with which she entered
the closet.
As she took the first step inside the
closet, she heard the sound as Of some ono
breathing heavily. She looked up and
saw right before hcr the face Of man.
She was brave, rcsolute woman. She
advanced step, and observed that mans
head, arms and body were through the
small window at the end, as though in the
act Of wriegling himself through the open
ing. In the mans right hand was pistol,
and his loft hand had hold Of a shell which
ran along the side of the closet. The man
raised the pistol anil fired. Mr. Now
bray in an instant seized the huge carving
knife which lag on the shelf, and advanced
toward tho ruffiau. lie was struggling to
Withdraw himself from the window. Ills
hands were on the sill, and bis head some
what raised, leaving his neck exposed.
Being unable to work himself out oI
the aperture, he raised the pistol as though
to llurl 1t at Mrs. Mowbray. The cour'
ageous old lady made one step forward
and dashed the keen blade across the mans
throat, laying 1t open from ear to ear
She then calmly retired, closed the closet
door, blew out the lamp, and taking "
her candle returned to the parlor, first
having satisfied herself that not drop o.
blood had stained her dress or hands.
Haitian hour after midnight her children
returned home. They found their mothel
seated by the fire, serenely reading the
Bible. They greeted her aiFectiOnatelyi
and prepared to retire for the night. Mrs
Mowbtay said, "Boys, remain behind I
little. l wish to speak to you. You, my
daughters, can retire.n
When she was alone with her children
she said. with dignity and calmness, Ny
children, l have killed a man. You will
find bis body fast in the small window 0
the closet otfmy bedroom"
Her sons stared at her in amazement
They at first imagined that she must b.
laboring under some mental disorder; bu
when She related to them, plainly ant
nationally, and In her own straightforward
tene fashion, the story as Just told, the
saw that she was telling them . simpl
fact.
aGo," she said, "make what arrange
ments you please. ! will walt here, an
you can tell me what course Is best I
pursue In this Natter
The sons took the light and went I
their mothers room. They opened th
door, aud there, sure enough, was the bod
Of a man hanging half through the window
The floor was a pool Of blood. Wit
difficulty the Oldest son got near enoug
to tue body without stepping into q
gore to raise the head, which was droopin
on the chest. He grasped the hair AZ
lifted the head so that the light might Ia
upon tue lace. As he did so, a cry
horror escaped them all.
"Great God It Is our brother George
"What did you say r. asked Mr. MoI
bay, ina voice horribly calm, from u
doorway. whittier shc bad followed unpr
ctlyci. "Geotgcl What do you mean
Tue oldest son dropped tho bead 70 pF
vent, i possible, bis mother recognizing
and ali af than nndRayored 10 eSplA