Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1876-11-01

found to be the same, and were evil
IDENTIFY written by the same hand. Still
there was marked difference between
the two. That attached to the letter
was bold and firm, while that attached
to the will was weak and tremulous.
The will was witnessed by John Dor
sry.
The fact of the difference in the sig
natures aroused my suspicious. A per-
sons signature rarely differs except
when tine mind is Influenced. But then
again | reflected that time might impair
persons writing, and l compared the
date of the will with that of the letter.
What was my astonishment to find that
they were both dated on the same day,
namely: Jan. l, 1S40. l next held up
the document to the light, for the pur-
pose of seeing if there was water
mark on the paper. I found such was
the case, and the Connecticut Mills,
lS43," could be made out most dis
tinctly.
Here was a 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 pa
per that was made three years after
ward. And yet there could be no dis
putting the fact that the signature was a
genuine one. The whole truth i'm a
moment flashed on my mind, and i'm
mediately set about unraveling the web.
went to work with a good heart, for
had little doubt of success.
My first proceeding was to make in
ouiries as to the exact date of Mr.. Mil
ford's disappearance. discovered that
it was on the 10th day of January, and
that Oliver Milford bad come to take
possession of the property on the 2lst.
l also made inquiries as to the past life
of the heir to the property, and found
that in Boston. from which city he
came, he bore very disreputable cha
racter. and that no one would trust him.
| then returned to L., and putting up at
a country tavern, called the landlord
to one side.
"Mr. Adams" said 1, edo you know
any one of the name of Dorsey living
in this neighborhoodr
"Yes. sir; there's Mr.. John Dorsey
who lives over the river"
"What kind of a man Is he ?" l asked.
"He is very tail, strong man." he
replied.
81 mean what kind of character
does he bear?''
"Well, can't say much in his favor,
so would rather not say anything"
81 suppose he is not very much liked
by his neighbors?"
"You may well say that. Ever since
he attacked poor Mr.. Milford so saw
agely nobody speaks to him."
He attacked the late Mr.. Milford, did
he?"
'..Yes, sir; most unprovoked as
sault. 1t seems that Mr.. Milford Of
Tended this man in some way, and one
day there was sale i'm town, and Mr..
Milford and Dorsey both bid for the
same article. Ii was knocked down to
the former, and it was after the sale
that the assault was committed"
"Was Dorsey prosecuted for it,"
"Yes; he was imprisoned for year,
and had to pay heavy fine."
| learned all | wanted to know and
changed the conversation.
made inquiries as to the exact spot
where the witness to the will lived. l
learned that it was over the river, on an
island, the whole of which he owned. l
procured boat and rowed directly
across-the river was not very broad. l
then skirted along the shore until l
came to a landing place. After l had
proceeded a quarter of mile 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 a boat or
raft, and had been conveyed to the other
side at the point from which had star
ted.
made my boat fast and looked around
me. l found that the island was small,
and so thickly studded with trees that
could see but little in advance of me.
Taking, however, the horses hOofs for
my guide, came upon an old, dilapita-
ted stone building which had evidently
been built long anterior to the Revolu-
ton. 1t seemed to be entirely unOccu-
pied, for the shutters were closed and
thick grass and weeds grew in profu-
sion.
l walked all around the house, but
could not find living soul visible, but
l was rewarded by sight which made
my blood tingle in my veins, for it
served to substantiate my theory with
respect to clearing up the mystery. and
this sight was nothing less than the i'm
preston of club foot many times re-
peated, near the front entrance of the
house, this showing conclusively that
Nr. Oliver Milford was frequent visi-
tor at Mr.. DOrsey's.
rang the bell, and receiving no an
swer | opened the door, which was un-
fastened. 1t was evident that Mr.. Dor
aey lived by himself, for there was only
one room furnished, and that but mea-
gerly. The first thing that l noticed
was a candle and box of lucifer mat
ches on the table i'm the room. Although
it was daylight lighted the candle and
began to explore the house. l first OF
all examined the upper portion of it,
but found nothing. l then examined
the ground floor, with the same success.
did not feel discouraged, for l felt
almost satisfied from the fact of the
candle being there that such would be
the result.
next proceeded to examine the eel
lar, and had not descended half dozen
steps before heard faint groan. l
rushed forward and entered spacious
vault. In corner of this damp, dark
and dismal dungeon, reclining on heap
of straw, with manacles on his wrists
and ankles I saw an old man whom i