The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-08-14


nature wns genuine; the letters were
found exactly the sumo, and were owl
dGntly written by tho same hand. Still
there was marked difference between
the two. That attached to tho letter
was bold and Ii. ~, while that attached to
the will was weak and tremulous. The
will was witnessed by John Dorsey.
The fact OF the difference in tho sig
natures Immediately aroused my sus,
pieions. A persons signature rarely
differs except when tho mind is infln-
cnced. But then again I reflected that
time might impair q persons writing,
aid / compared tho dats Of the will
with that OF tho letter. What was my
astonishment to find that they were
both dated on tho same day, namely,
January l, 1910. I next held up tue
document to the light, for the purpose
Of seeing il there was q water mark on
tho paper. ! found such was tho case,
and tho Connecticut Mills, 1913, "
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 o 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 tho signature WIS a
genuine one. Tho whole truth in q
moment flashed across my mind, and l
Immediately set about unravsliug the
web. went to work with good heart,
for I Ind but little doubt OF success.
Ny first proceeding was to make in.
quiries us to tho exact. date Of Mr.. Mil.
fOrd's disappearance. discovered that
it was on the tenth day OF January, and
that Oliver Milford had come to take
possession OF the property on tho
twenty.frst. l also made inquiries as
to tho past life Of the heir OF the prop.
eriy, and found that iu Boston, from
which city ho came, he borO n very dis
reputable character, aud that no ono
w0nld trust or believe him. I then ro.
turned to L., and putting up at the
country tavern, I called the landlord on
one SidO.
"Mr. Adams" said I, "do you know
any enc Of tue name Of Dorsey living iu
this neishborhoodl"
."Yes, sir; there's Mr.. john Dorsey
who lives over the river"
"What kind Of q man is he I" I
asked.
"fIe's very tall, strong man." he
replied.
"I mean what kind OF q character
does ho beari"
"Well, I cant say much in his favor,
so would rather not say anything"
"I suppose he is not very much liked
Ny his ueighborsl"
You may well say that. Ever since
lie attacked poor Mr.. Milford so savage
ly, nobody speaks to him."
i" lIe attacked the late Mr.. Milford,
did ho
Yea, sir; a most unprovoked assault.
It seems that Mr.. Milford Offended this
man iu some way, and one day there was
sale in town, and Mr.. Milford and
Dorsey both bid fer tho same article.
1t WAS knocked down TO tho former, aud
it was after the salc that the assault was
committed"
"Was Dorsey prosecuted for itl"
"Yes, be WIS imprisoned for n year,
md had to pay heavy fine"
learned all I wanted to know, aud
changed the conversation.
made inquiries as TO tho exact spot
whcrc the witness OF tho will lived. l
learned that it was across tho river on n
small island, tho whole Of which ho
oTueI. I procured boat and rowel
dir city across-the river waS not very
broId. then slirtCd along the shore
INT Il I came to landing place. After
l hlL proceeded quarter Of mile, |
reached q spot where the marks OF
hm -GS' feet were plainly to ho traced
on the SNOW. 1t was evident TINT horses
had hccn embarked at this point on n
boat or ratt; and Ind been conveyed to
the other side ut the point from which
! had started.
! made my boat fast and looked about
mo. found that the island was small.
aud so 'thickly studded with green trees
that could see bnt very little in nd
vancO OF me. Taking, however, the
horses hOofs for my guide, came upon
M old dilapiiated stone building which
had evidently been built long aIterior
to tho Revolution. II seemed to be en-
tireIy unoccupied, for the shutters were
closed, md thick grass and weeds grew
in piofusion.
l walked MI round the house, but
conId not find q living soul visible, but
I WIZ rewarded with sight which made
my blood tiugle in my veins, for itscrved
to snbstautiate my theory with respect
to clearing up the mystery, and this
sight was nothing less than the impres.
sion OF a club foot many times repeated,
near the front entrance OF the house,
thus showing conclusive'y that Mr.. Oil.
yer Milford was frequent visitor at
NJ. Dorsey's.
rung the bell, and receiving no au.
swer, opened tho door, which was uu-
fastened. It was evident that Mr.. Dor
sey lived by himself, for there was only
one room furnished, and that but mea.
gerly. Tho first thing that I noticed
was u candle md box Of lucifer matches
OIL tho table in the room. Although il
was daylight I lighted the camille aud
begun to explore the house. first Of
oil examined tho upper portion OF it,
but found nothing. then examined
tho ground floor with the same success
l did not feel discouraged, for I felt al
most satisfied from the fact Of the can
die bcing there that such would be the
result.
| next proceeded to examine the eel
lar, and had not descen led half dozen
steps before l heard n faint groan.
rushed forward, and entered spacious
vanIt. In q corner OF this damp, darh
and dismal dungeon, reclining on hear