Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-08-20


his private Office aud said to Inc that
most men would discharge clerk from
their employ under similar circumstan-
ces, but as was honest, capable aud
faithful, he would keep me on condi-
tion that l would forget my prcsumptu-
Gus fancy.
"Why," said he, "Clara has more
for pin-mouey than yovr salary" and
then after informing me that would
no longer be received at his house he
told me to return TO my desk. Moth.
ing unusual occurred during the day
until just before We closed, when we
received an unusually large cash depos-
1t AS l was on the point of leaving the
bank, Mr.. Richards called me and
said
Howard, here is package con-
tanning $4,000 l wish you TO take TO
Mr.. Martin. Cashier of the City Bank
of C.--You can explain TO him about
our vaults not being any too secure,
and apologize for coming at such an
unreasonable hour, and ask him as a
| personal favor TO me to receive the
funds on deposit. Take receipt and
return in the morning; you can take
the six o'clock train this evening"
had little money ON deposit at
our bank, and having a payment due
on my life insurance in c., drew
$1,000 and thought l would pay that
before l returned. l took The package
/ containing the $4,000, and after rcceiv-
ing some money for my expenses |
started. arrived at my destination
about 6 80 o'clock. and went directly
to Mr.. Martins house, but found that
he had gone up town, and later was
| going TO the theatre. Whereupon
sought the principal hotel, thinking
/ might see him there, but was disap.
around where thought | would be
most likely 10 meet him, until about
| hali-past eight, and then returned to
the hotel and took supper, and engag-
ed a room, 10 which went. | sat dowa
and read the evening paper until about
! 10 so, when 1 started Tor Mr.. Martins
house. As l came down stars and
opened the door. a burly fellow touch
cd me on the shoulder and whispered
Il arrest YOU for the robbery of the
Farmers Bank of X -, and the mur.
der of Mr.. Richards"
"llc placed the handouts on me and
escorted me here, and now have told
YOU all know Of my case. aud SO help
me God it is the truth. Ny name is
Howard Burton have no parents
This is the substance Of what How
ard Burton related 10 me, on that
/ Christmas eve, in his cell in the Jail at
ing his recital, but had listened very
at,entively to every word. ] was much
interested in the young man, who was
about my own age, and | felt was IN
nocent of the horrible crime with which
he was charged, i remained with him
until long after midnight, and then,
charging him to converse with no one
on the subject of the murder. left him.
knew nothing Of the circumstances Of
the murder As yet, but the next day
being Christmas, | thought that |
would 20 to k-and learn what |
could, as ! knew my client would not
be examined that day hut was sure he
would the next. Justice then was
much swifter than now. On my al
rival at K-I went directly TO the
bank, and found two or three dctec
tives there, and some of the officers of
the bank. Nothing had been moved
but the body of the murdered man.
He was found lying on the floor with
his skull crushed and his throat cut
from ear 10 ear. Some of the drawers
had been rifled, but aside from this
there was nothing to indicate robbery.
There was missing from the safe So
600 but the locks afforded no evidence
of having been tampered with, | found
that belief in Burton's guilt was quite
general. proceeded 10 look around
10 see some Indication of violence be-
ing used, but the locks Of the safe and
vaults were in perfect order. There
was q window in the Presidents office
that looked into the narrow passage
that divided the bank building from u
lawyers office. 1t WAS securely guard
ed by an iron grating, and | felt that
the assassin entered the bank in the
usual manner, viz, through the door.
There was no trace of the assassin and
robber, AS | said, but | felt that the
accused man, my client, was innocent
of the terrible crime of which he was
accused. The Cashier had gone to c
and lodged formal complaint
against Howard Burton, and the exam
ination would be held the following
day.
/ stood at the window in the Presi-
dents office, staring vacanlly out, hard
at work thinking, when my eye noticed
on the sash of the window in the law
yer's office just across the passage way,
a little scrap of paper with the word
''paint' written on it. A suggestive
thought flashed through my mind as
walked leisurely out Of the bank and
stepped into the law office next door.
l was slightly acquainted with its oc-
cupants, who welcomed me and invit-
ed Inc to seat. We talked of the
frightful occurrence of the previous
nlSnt Ior some liihe, anu a. iehStu
said, rising to go
$50 you have been painting little,
Mr.. Harris!"
"Yes, sir; did you observe my new
sign? Kelley, the painter. has young
German working for him who is really
an artist. He did all the work here.
and it is almost worth what he charges
to have Fritz Vogel's presence in the
office. He is witty, original Dutch
| man."
"When was the painting done?' l
asked.
''All done yesterday-be careful of
your coat"
bade Mr.. Harris good day, and
left his Office. ] had learned who paint
| ad that windOw which woa inot what