The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-08-03

|
found exactly the same, and we're evi
dently written by the same hand Still
there was marked difference between
the two. That attached to The letter
was bold and q n, while that attached tc
the will was weak and tremulous. The
will was witnessed by John Dorsey.
The fact of the difference in the sig
natures Immediately aroused my sus
pieions. A persons signature rarely
differs except when the mind is influ
enced. But then again 1 reflected that
time might impair a persons writing
and ! compared the date of the viii
with that of the letter. What was my
astonishment to find that they were
both dated on the same day, namely,
January l, 1910. next held up the
document to the light, for the purpose
OF seeing il there was a water mark on
the paper. found such was the case,
and the Connecticut Mills, 184S, u
could be made out most distinctly.
Here was will purporting to have
been signed in New York on the first
day of January, 1910, by man who
was in Albany on that day, and on
paper that was made three years after.
ward. And yet there could be no dis
putting the fact that the signature was O
| genuine one. The whole truth in a
moment flashed across my mind, and |
Immediately set about unraveling the
web. went to work with O good heart,
for had but little doubt of success.
My first proceeding was to make in-
| quiries rs to the exact date of Mr.. Mil
ford's disappearance. ] discovered that
it was on the tenth day of January, aud
that Oliver Milford had come to take
possession of the property on the
| twenty first. 1 also made inquiries as
to the past life Of the heir of the prop
erty, and found that in Boston. from
which city he came, he bore very dis
reputable character, and that no one
would trust or believe him. 1 then re-
turned to L., and putting up at tho
country tavern, I called the landlord on
one side.
Mr.. Adams," said I, "do you know
any one of the name of Dorsey living in
this neighborhood
Yes, sir; there's Mr.. John Dorsey
who lives over the river"
What kind of man is he :" 1
asked.
He's q very tall, strong man," he
replied.
al mean what kind of character
does he bear?"
"Well l can't say much in his favor,
so | would rather not say anything"
81 suppose he is not very much liked
by his neighbors9"
You may well say that. Ever since
he attacked poor Mr.. Milford so savage
iy, nobody speaks to him."
" He attacked the late Mr.. Milford,
did he2
q Yes, sir; most unprovoked assault.
1t seems that Mr.. Milford offended this
man in some way, aud one day there was
a sale in town, and Mr.. Milford and
Dorsey both bid fer the same article.
It was knocked down to the former, and
it was after the sale that the assault was
committed"
Was Dorsey prosecuted for itf"
eyes, he was imprisoned for year,
and had to pay heavy tine."
! learned all 1 wanted to know, and
changed the conversation.
I made inquiries as to the exact spot
where the witness of the will lived. /
learned that it was across the river on q
small island, the whole of which he
owned. procured a boat and rowed
dir r9ctly across-the river was not very
broad. L then skirted along the shore
until came to landing place. After
had proceeded quarter of a mile, L
reached a spot where the marks OF
horses feet were plainly to be traced
on the snow. 1t was evident that horses
had been embarked at this point on
boat or raft; and had been conveyed to
the other side at the point from which
had started.
l made my boat fast and looked about
me. found that the island was small,
and so thickly studded with green trees
that l could see but very little in ad-
vance Of me. Taking, however, the
horses hoofs for my guide, came upon
an old dilapidated stone building which
had evidently been built long anterior
to the Revolution. 1t seemed to be en-
tirely unoccupied, for the shutters were
closed, and thick grass and weeds grew
in profusion.
walked all round the house, but
could not find living soul visible, but
was rewarded with sight which made
my blood tingle III my veins, for it served
to fubstantiate my theory with respect
to clearing up the mystery, and this
sight was nothing less than the impress
sion of club foot many times repeated,
near the front entrance of the house, |
thus showing conclusig gely that Mr.. Oil. |
yer Milford was frequent visitor at |
M. Dorsey's.
rung the bell, and receiving no an
swer, l opened the door, which was un-
1t was evident that Mr.. Dor |
sey lived by himself, for there was only
one room furnished, and that but mea- |
gerly. The first thing that I noticed |
was candle and box of lucifer matches |
OIL the table in the room. Although it |
was daylight lighted the candle and |
begun to explore the house. l first of
all examined the upper portion OF it,
but found nothing. 1 then examined |
he ground floor with the same success.
[ did not feel discouraged, for felt al /
most satisfied from the fact Of the can
lle being there that such would be the |
result.
l next proceeded to examine the eel |
ar, and had not descended half dozen |
steps before [ heard faint groan. I |
rushed forward, and entered a spacious |
vault. In q corner of this damp, dark !
and dismal dungeon, reclining on heap |
Of straw, with manacles on his wrists |
and ankles, 1 saw an old man whom 1 |
was satisfied was Mr.. Herbert Milford. |
held the candle over his head and saw
That he was sleeping. At that moment |
heard the sound of footsteps behind |
me, and turning round saw that it was |
Mr., Oliver Milford advancing toward |
oil he 1f