Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-04-08
MIs CELLAR E O U S.
SAVED BY A aAIR,

SS VERY little thing will sometimes save q
2S man lite, as the following story will show
While reading the evening paper noticed
something which interested me at once
"What's this p | said, as my eve alighted on
startling paragraph:
'MYsTER1oUs MuRDER.-J. Randolph,
one of our old and wealthy citizens, was this
morning found dead in his room. having been
murdered during the night. Edgar Morton,
clerk in his employ, and who, report says,
was soon to be married to his daughter. has
been arrested for the murder, and circum.
stances are said t" be strongly against him F."
Now, although am usually among the first
to hear of criminal news. from the nature OF
my business. this was the first intimatInn /
had received that such murder had been
committed, having been OUT of town during
the dav. AS 7 had been on the best of terms
with Mr.. Randolph and his whole family, il
occurred to me at once that my advice would
be sought
And sn this is the way that Edgar Morton
ren"ys his hrn"fa"tor and the father of his
affianccd bride! Yet no! it cannot be. will
stake my life on that young mans innocence"
As spoke, there came a gentle tap at tho
door. followed almost Immediately by the en-
trance Of n lady, deeply veiled, who at once
deceased friends daughter, Cecile Randolph.
''Excnse me. Mr.. Ferguson. for entering
uninvitrd but urgcn. business irnpels me-"
abe seated Miss Randolph" I said, rising
and handing her a chair
80. Mr. FergusnnI" she sohhed forth, bury
ing her face in her hands, That I should
ever be obliged to come to you on such an or
rand as this ~
/ endeavorcd to quiet her, and partly sue
ceeded. when | drew from her what few par
ticulars she knew regarding her fathers denth
lie retired lasr night, mt his usual hour.
apparently in good spirits. aud no sound was
heard during the night to cause any alarm
In the morning as he tailed tn appear at break
fast, servant was dispatched to summon
him. Knocking at the dnor, and receiving
n" answer he finally opened it and advanced
into the room What a sight did he then be-
hold! NV poor father lay upon his bed with
his throat cut from car to earl Death must
have come to him suddenly-so suddenly as
to prevent ouicry-und the unknown assas
sin had no trouble in making his escape"
But" [ said. Il can't see why any one
should suspect Edgar of the murder"
"This Is the most mysterious part of the
sad affair When Edpur told of the mur
der, he turned very pale, reeled. and would
have fallen to the ground had not support
been given him. Some Of the ignorant be.
holders Of this scene thought his actions de-
noted guilt and an officer summoned who
at once insisted on searching his room
razor, on which were several spots of blood,
was found concealed under the carpet together
with old SHit "G clothes belonging to Ed
gar, which was despatched with blood. This
was considered sufficient evidence TO warrant
his arrest, and he now lies in jail, charged
At,o1 ,T..i 4
Ferguson if you can do an, thing tn save
him, and nt the time bring the guilty
perpetra'"r of this deed to justice, l will
amply reward you
"Do v"u know any enemies of your father.
or of Edgar, who w"uld be likely to commit
such crime either for money or revenge 2"
l asked
"Oh, sir" she replied, sit was not done for
robbery, ns everything in the room was as
father left it the night before. His watch
and pocket book, the letter containing quite
a sum Of money, were found under his pillow.
where he always placed them, so that the
crime must have been committed to gratify a
fendish thirst for revenge"
'Nnw, then, who of all your acquaintances
could do such thing z"
81 cannot possibly say. Father had not an
enemy in the world to my knowledge, or Ed
ger either, unless perhaps, it might b. Con-
rad Smithey. my ponr fathers book>keeper
and trusty clerk; but it would be impossible
for him to do such a deed "
"'What reason have you to suspect that he
is not Edear's friend !"
Only this: Some time ago. Conrad whom
We have always regarded of the family.
proposed for my hand, and told him it
not mine to give ''I suspected much,
he muttered; and then, whilst his face grew
dark, and his features assumed an appearance
perfectly fearful. he continued, 'but you shall
never become the wife OF Edgar Morton while
have life to prevent it." He then wheeled
about, and abruptly left my presence was
considerably alarmed. and thought ofspeaking
to father about it !; but during the forenoon
he returned and begged my forgiveness for
the words he had used, and made such pro-
fessions of sorrow in regard to them that
freely forgave him and have since thought no
more of the matter"
'.The fact is quite clear to me-" ssid. 81
know this fellow well, and the sort of COM
psny he keeps, and should not be surprised