Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1873-07-05

doorway was thronScd with people. The
actual culprit had caused an alarm to
be given to the police. Two officers en-
tered hastily. Jennie came rushing
through the throng. She instinctively
hurried toward her fathers PROSTATE
form on the floor, and with u shrek fell
across him as he lay.
go father speak to me !" she cried.
Barr rcgained his feet. He was be-
wildered-confuscd. Why did all these
people stare ut him with such threaten
ing looks?
You are my prisoner, said one of
the officers, placing his hand on Barr
shoulder. We arc too late, l fear, to
save life, but not to secure the guilty
one. l arrest. you"
"For what ?" demanded Barr, for the
moment stupctied.
For robbery and MURDER" returned
the officer.
"No-no my father lives ! Heaven
be praised p exclaimed Jennie.
The law-student could only stam-
mcr,-
"I-a-prisoner /"
The party present did not look up
ward; they were intently gazing on the
stricken group below. Had they done
so, they would have seen the idiot-boy
pecring over the partition with an in
sane grin overspreading his face, while
on his head he had grotesquely placed
the cap of the really guilty one.
A physician was soon called in. Jen-
ME, assured of her fathers safety, essay
ed to look at the person accused of the
assault. AS her eye caught Bars she
involuntarily started back with amaze
ment.
You are mistaken, friend" she ex-
claimed; &" that gentleman is innocent. -
And then, abashed at what might seem
to be an act of boldness on her part, she
shrank back from the gaze of the crowd,
and placed her whole attention on her
father.
During the progress of this scene the
subtle shrewdness of one mans mind,
following and using chain of circum-
stances, had ferreted out the cause even
before he had learned the effect. The
sergeant OF police instinctively detained
the boy who gave the alarm, and through
him, within IL very few moments, had in
his custody the very thief, though the
officer knew not at the time the form of
crime which had been committed, nor
that he had the real culprit but hold
ing the man to await developments, he
took him at once to the scene of the as
sault.
The miscreant's evident reluctance
to proceed in that direction confirmed
the sergeant's suspicious, and warned
him to be vigilant. When they arrived
at the house, the man made desperate
attempt to escape. He was quickly con-
quered and confronted by the victim.
Old Huntley, now partially recovered,
could not recognize his assailant. SO
far then the fellows chances for Guiding
justice were favorable. 1t was now no.
ticed that his hat was missing, and he
could give no reasonable account of its
loss; but this told nothing.
Suddenly, the assembled crowd were
startled by wild cry from overhead.
Looking up they beheld Jack, the idiot
boy, pecring i'll at the fanlight. Hith-
erto a silent witness of the whole scene,
he now appeared to convict the guilty,
for on his head he wore the strange
cap.
"That cap is not yours, jack" OK
claimed Barr; "whcre did you get it ?''
The idiots only answer was sense
less grin, while with one hand he point
ed to the sergeant's prisoner. The man
stood confoundcd and sclf-convictcd.
They searched him and found the gold.
His guilt, so plainly exposed, confirmed
Barrs innocence.
1t need only to be added that old
Huntley recovered his health and his
dollars, and that this inauspicious be-
ginning of an acquaintance between
Richmond Barr and Jennie Huntley
was followed by IL year of mutual love,
and ended in a joyous wedding.