The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1874-11-27

The bogus parson professed the deep
est gratitude for this kindness, and, in
few days, returned with some valua-
BILE presents for Mrs. Edwards, as
token of his appreciation of her kind
ness to his wife. An intimacy thus
gradually grew up between the design
ing hypocrite and the Edwards family.
They were charmed by his general mr.
banlty, apparent respectability, and
seeming piety; and their blind conf
dence greatly lessened the difficulties of
the villains task.
Among the members of Mr.. Edwards
family was handsome daughter, some
seventeen years of age, in whom Blood
professed a deep interest, and finally
proposed to her parents marriage with
nephew of his, whom he represented
to be young, respectable and pious,
with an income of $500 year. The
young lady's parents approved the sug-
gestion, and it was arranged that the
suitor should call on a certain day
Monday, May 8. On the evening be-
fore the time appointed, Blood called,
ald requested that, for reasons which
he proceeded to give, his nephew might
be received at o'clock in the morning
an hour, it will be perceived, when
few people would be likely to be
his nephew to bring two friends with
him to see the regalia-~assigning as
reason that the friends were compelled
to leave London at an early hour.
The simple-minded Mr.. Edwards was
only too glad to oblige his esteemed
friend, and gladly consented to the ar
rangement. At an early hour in the
morning the family were up, and pre-
pared to receive their guests and future
son-in-law.
Promptly the pretended parson and
his friends made their appearance
every one of them being a conspirator,
and each of them carrying concealed
under his cloak a short sword, dirk,
and pair of pistols.
Greeting Mr.. Edwards warmly, Blood
apoIogized, and begged one more favor:
that his friends might be shown the
regalia at once, as they were pressed
for time and anxious to depart. Ac-
cor1ingly, the party was conducted to
the jewel-room-Mr. Edwards carefully
closing the door after him, as was his
custom. The nephew had been left
at the entrance, to warn the conspira-
tors inside of approaching danger.
The door had no sooner closed than
the three villains threw of their dis
guise, and, drawing their weapons,
rushed upon the old man and threat
ened him with instant death if he gave
the slightest alarm. But the gallant
keeper was not easily intimidated, and
upon he was knocked down, cruelty
beaten, and left for dead.
Having thus disposed of the faithful
sentinel, Blood and his confederates set
rapidly at work to possess themselves of
the coveted treasure. The glass case in
which it was inclosed was shivered at
a single blow, and the Golden Grown,
glittering with its wealth of gems, was
quickly seized, and concealed under the
chief conspirator's ample cloak. Par
rott, another of the robbers, took pos
session of the Orb and other gems
while another proceeded to file the
Golden Scepter in two, that it might
the more rea dily be concealed.
Everything had thus far been aus
picious. The scheme had been cum
ningly devised; the simple-minded
keeper had unwittingly extended to the
robbers every aid they needed and
they now found themselves alone in the
jewel house, well armed, and in pos
session of the coveted booty; and it
was only the merest accident which
prevented the complete success of the
bold scheme. A son of Mr.. Edwards,
who was an officer on an English trad
ing vessel, CHANGED to arrive in port
that morning, in company with a
brother ln-law, Capt. Blackman, of the
British army, who had been passen-
ger on his vessel, and they fastened at
once to call upon the elder Edwards.
They passed Blood's pretended
nephew at the door, and proceeded di-
rectly to the keepers room. The SEN
final oa1ia4oIIy wa&5&aJ bic oooova
plices of the approaching danger, when
they made haste to gather such treas
ures as they could conceal, and beat
hasty retreat.
But no sooner had they left the room
than Edwards. who had shrewdly
feigned insensibility, raised himself
from the pool of blood in which he had
been lying, and shouted for help with
all his remaining strength.
The robbers had, in their hasty fight,
left the door of the room open, and his
cries were heard by his daughter, who
was passing along the hall to the draw
ing room, to which she had been sum-
moned to meet her brother. Fastening
to the room from which the cries pro-
ceeded, she took in the situation at a
glance, and ran shrieking to the room
where her brother and Capt. Blackman
were in waiting, exclaiming that her
father had been murdered and the crown
stolen. Young Edwards and his COM
panion fastened to the jewel house, and
lifted up the wounded man but, at his
earnest request, they left him and went
in pursuit of the robberE, who were
straining every nerve to escape. They
had made their way ont of the building,
and crossed the court yard without mo-
lestation, and reached the drawbridge
over the moat. Here they came upon
sleepy sentinel, who halted them
but Blood discharged pistol at his
head, when the frightened man, though
unhurt, fell, and the fugitives passed
over him, cleared the outer gate, and
nearly reached the park, where fast
horses had been provided for them.
But the two pursuers had not been
idle, and were rapidly gaining on them.
just as Blood cleared the last gate
Capt. BIackman came up with him, and
they grapled. A fierce struggle en-
sued, but the Captain succeeded in
overcoming his antagonist, and the
crown was wrenched from his grasp.
AS the daring man saw his hopes thus