Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-02-13

what charger"
"Idare say you know we'll enough.
There's been a body found in the
river, and it's thought there's been
some foul play"
"Whose body?"
"David Birch's, the bird-fancier
that's been missing lately"
"My uncle!" gasped John.
Exactly. You're our man.
You've had quarrel with him, and
you're arrested on suspicion. We
got the clue from Thomas Bartlett"
"Bartlett!" The young carpen.
ter repeated the name with groan,
and staggered against the wall, ad-
ding: "May God forgive him this
wickedness!"
And the same moment his sister
threw herself on his neck with a cry
that thrilled those who heard it.
v. tF
Yes, it was true, body had been
found; and there was evidence that
identified it as that ofsthe old man
who was missings The story went
that it had been first seen by some
workmen on their way home one
wet evening. 1t had floated up
with the tide, and been toyed with
as a ghastly 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 dcfling river slime clotted
among its tangled gray hair, and
its dead bruised face turned upward
to the sky. From examination of
the body, it was thought that there
had been struggle. The motive
had clearly not been robbery, for
purse containing sovereign and
some silver was found in one Of the
pockets, together with very re-
markable antique silver watch, on
which were engraved the initials
sd. b." which were readily trans
lated into David Birch. When the
watch and purse, with the old-fash.
ioned coat found on the body, were
shown to the bercaved grand daugh-
ter, and tearfully recognized by the
trembling girl as belonging to her
grandfather, the evidence Of identi-
ty was complete. How had the old
man come by his death? There
was no cause to suspect him of sui
cidal intentions, and it was proved
that he was sober when he departed
from Jacob Moss. Then had fol-
lowed the query, was David Birch
at enmity with any one? At this
point in the judicial investigation
Tom Bartlett put in deposition to
the effect that he had witnessed a
quarrel between the old man and
his nephew day before the de.
ceased had taken his fatal journey.
He detailed what he remembered of
the scene between them; how he
(Tom Bartlett) had been apprehen.
sivc OF violence on the part of the
young man, who had told his uncle
"that before he was many days old
er he would be sorry for what had
passed that night" This ended in
the arrest of the young carpenter.
The news was carried to Polly Car.
son, but the sorely-tried girl rose
against the crushing blow. 81 can
not believe it. John Birch would
not harm my grandfather; and l
wouldn't take Tom Bartlett's word
against dog"
X II X
81 am doing my best, Nellie, you
may be sure Of that; if there's ever
so small loopholc for escape, trust
to me that poor Jack shall have the
benefit of it,"
The speaker was Nellie's plighted
lover, George Denton, the detective,
thoughtful looking man, some
years her senior, who had already
given evidence of more than aver
ngc ability in his calling.
"My brother is not guilty, George,
l could stake my life on it,"
$50. could I, Nellie; but leave it
to me. The examination is adjourn
ed, and may do much in the mean
time"
His words gave Nellie Birch COM
fort for the present and she trusted
in them.
VI
The court was crowded, for much
interest had gathered round the
case of the old man, whose myste-
rious death had followed so sudden.
ly upon his accession to wealth.
The prisoner was pale anu haggard
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 unlike man charged
with murder. But the evidence had
gone aeainst him, and lie was com.
mitted to take his trial for the will
ful murder Of his uncle David Birch.
The decision was received by the
prisoner with shuddering gasp for
breath, and wild look Of agony in
his eyes, as u scream from woman
came from the crowd-it was n
voice that he knew, for it was poor
Nellie, who had dropped down in
sensible. He was about to be re.
moved when there was sudden
stirring in tho court, and u man
whom many recognized as George
Denton, the detective, forced his
way through the crowd. Another
moment and he was standing before
tho magistrate, every ear drinking
in his words:
"The prisoner, John Birch, is not
guilty, and Pm prepared to prove
it."
"On what evidence?"
"That it is u case of mistaken
identity; the man whom he is ac-
cused Of numbering is still alive.
He lies helpless on sick bed, or he
would have been here to set this
wrong right"
The deposition which was made
before the startled bench may be
briefly summoned up as it was rela-
ted afterwards in the presence Of
reunited family circle, when the old
bird fancicr got well enough to add
his norton Of the story. Ho av.