The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-01-09

anu DeInS repeated IN large printed pld-
cards on the walls of police stations. In
the immediate neighborhood of the
/ bird-shop there was much excitement
and CONSERVATION at the old mans mys-
terious disappearance, mingled with
lively sympathy for the distress of his
grand daughter, whose pale face and swol-
ten eyelids told how she had watched
and wept. None were more demOnstra-
tive than Tom Bartlett, who kept how
ering around abont her in spite of her
visible shrinking from him, persistently
pressing his services as though he alone
had the right TO act for her. Meantime
the day appointed by the lawyers for en-
tering into arrangements for their eli
ent respecting the fortune of which he
had unexpectedly come into possession
by the death of brother abroad, had
come and gone. The perplexed legal
firm, acting in the interest of their eli
ent, instituted a rigorous search, but
without success. The friend, Jacob
Moss, Il feeble old man, had been duly
communicated with and keenly cross
examined. David Birch had paved his
visit on the day named, arriving, as far
as the old man could recollect, about
half-past two, and starting ON his return
journey about dusk. Here the clue was
lost. Thus the days went by without
throwing any light on the old mans
fate, and poor Polly, worn with grief
and anxiety, often cried herself to sleep.
"Oh! Nellie-Nellie! you don't know
what has happened"
1t was with these words that John
Birch had suddenly presented himself
to his sister, tall, dark-eyed girl, who
likeness of himself. She was busily at
work when he came in, but on the first
glance at his agitated face she dropped
her needle and rose hurriedly.
"Oh, John! what is the matter?"
"Uncle David has been missing from
home since the 23d of last month, and
no one can tell what has become of him."
"Missing from home, John! why, it
was only last week we found he had
fortune left him by his brother"
v.
Yes, it was true body had been found;
and there was evidence that identified it
as that of the old man who was missing.
The story went that it had been first
seen by some workmen on their way
home one wet evening. It had foated
up with the tide, and been toyed with as
a CHASTITY plaything, then beaten against
one of the low-lying river banks, and
flung out, a piteous sight for men to
shudder at, as it lay with the defling
river-slime clotted among its tangled
gray hair, and its dead, bruised face
turned upward to the sky. From ex-
animation of the body, it was thought
there had been struggle. The motive
had clearly not been robbery, for purse
containing a sovereign and some silver
er with very remarkable antique silver
watch, on which were engraved the ini-
tials cd. B." which were readily trans
lated into David Birch. When the watch
found on the body, were shown to the
bereaved granddaughter, and tearfully
recognized by the trembling girl as be-
longing to her grandfather, the evidence
of identity was complete. How had the
old man come by his death? There was
no cause to suspect him of suicidal in
tentions; and it Was proved that lie was
sober when he parted with Jacob Moss.
Then had followed the query, was David
Birch at enmity with any one? At this
point in the judicial Investigation, Tom
Bartlett put in a deposition to the effect
that he had witnessed quarrel between
the old man and his nephew day before
the deceased had taken his fatal journey.
He detailed what he remembered of the
scene between them; how he (Tom Bart
lett had been apprehensive of violence
on the part of the young man, who ha1
told his uncle ''that before he was many
days older, he would be sorry for what
had passed that night" This ended in
arrest of the young carpenter. The
news was carried to Polly Carson, but
the sorely tried girl rose against the
crushing blow. 81 cannot believe it.
John Birch would not harm my grand
father; and I wouldn't take Tom Bart
lett's word against a dog"
81 am doing my best, Nellie, you may
be sure of that; if there's ever so small
1oophole for escape, trust to me that
poor Jack shall have the benefit of it."
The speaker was Nellie's plighted low
er, George Denton, the detective, a
ghtful-looking man; some years her
senior, who had already given evidence
of more than average ability in his call
ing.
"My brother is not guilty, George; I
could stake my life on it."
$50 could I, Nellie; but leave it to me.
The examination is adjourned, and 1
may do much in the meantime"
His words gave Nellie Birch comfort
for the present, and she trusted in them.
! VI.
The court was crowded, for much in
terest had gathered round the case of the
old man whose mysterious death had fol-
lowed SO suddenly upon his accession of
wealth. The prisoner was pale and hag-
gard from mental suffering and want of
sleep, but holding his head erect, and
gazing before him with eyes that never
lowered or shrank, and looking very un-
like man charged with murder. But
the evidence had gone against him, and
he was committed to take his trial for
the willul murder of his uncle, David
Birch. The decision was received by
the prisoner with shuddering gasp for
breath, and a wild look of agony in his