The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-04-14
VOLUME 4.


not noticing the interruption. 1T will
be dissected Tomorrow morning in the
presence of each student as"
DR.. Fairfield uttered piercing cry
and fell to the floor insensihle.
He was soon resuscitated, and ex-
planned that he had from boy hood been
subject to attacks of vertigo.
The body of Richard Vandevere ar
rived late that afternoon, and was placed
in the dissecting room, which was sit
uated on the frat floor of the building.
The next morning, just before the
hour appointed for the dissection, the
janitor of the college rushed, pale and
breathlesa into the recitation-room, and
whispered few words in the ear of our
president, who Immediately rose and
said:
Gentlemen, the janitor informs me
that the BODY Of the man Richard Van
devere has disappeared from the prem
ises. Do any of you know aught Of
this?"
No reply was made.
DIR. D-ordered a search to be i'm
mediately commenced. But the body
could not be found. When a week had
passed, and no clue to the mystery had
been obtained, the president sent to
New York for detectives, whom he paid
from his Own POCKET, and who were en-
ployed for several weeks; but who final,
ly abandoned the search in despair. We
then gave up all hope of ever solving
the mystery.
A few weeks after the disappearance
of Richard Vandevere'e body / visited
his former home, which had by this time
gained the reputation of being haunted,
and was consequently let severely alone
by the country people. The place had
assumed an indescribable air of desola-
ton. Most Of the movable furniture
had been stolen; the door stood open,
the little windows were darkened with
innumerable cob webs, the floor was
dusty, and covered with beetles, which
ran in all directions at my approach,
and homeless dog which had taken
refuge in a corner of the hut made a has
tv exit as I entered. Ny motive in WIS.,
iting the cabin was to search for some
clue to Richard Vandevere's past history.
] thought it possible that some book,
some scrap of paper might exist by
which ] could learn something Of the
mans life and of the motives which had
prompted him to sever his connection
with the world and retire to this lonely
spot. After an hours unsuccessful
search ! noticed that the hearth-stOne
seemed loosely fitted in its place. j lift
ed 1t and found under it number Of
books, which eagerly examined. All
but one we're medical and scientific
works; upon the cover of this one
were the words THE Diary Of Richard
Vandevere, NJ. D., of London, Eng
land" The entries in this book en-
tries in this book extended over period
of three years-from 1845 to 1S48; twen-
ty years before the date when they first
met my eyes. make such extracts from
the diary as are essential to clear I'M
derstanding of my story.
May 1, 1851 was married to day
to Miriam Darrell, the pnrest and best
woman in the world.
November Sam succeeding won
derfully we'll in my profession. Have
more patients than | can possibly attend
TO. Have secured DR.. Ralph Arlin gion
Of Liverpool as partner He ia young
physician of remarkable ability.
The keenest pleasure that my success
brings with it ia the thought that Miri-
am, my dear wife, is placed beyond the
reach of poverty or want.
January 20, 1846.-l have been a
blind, doting fool! That cursed villain,
Ralph Arlington, has stolen from me my
wife. Miriam, in whom believed "a
believe in heaven and the angels, has de-
serted me! Ralph Arlington has
forged my name to a draft on the bank
of England and stolen almost every
shilling 7 possess in the world.
But 1 will hunt them down. and when
we meet no power on earth can save
May 30.-It is useless to continue the
search. 7 can find no trace of them.
will leave them to the punishment OF
heaven. ] am weary, worn and heart
broken. Never again will
place confidence in any human beIng
Worldly honor, once 80 dear tc
me, | value no longer. ] will
leave England at once and forever;
will end my days in foreign land.
May 31.-To-day, | secured passage
in steamer which sails for New York
Tomorrow.
The following entries described hi!
VOYAGE. arrival in the new country anC
settlement near B. The last words
in the book were as follows
Jnly l, 184S.-Have been in thi
place two years now; and am resigned t.
my fate.
carried the diary to President D.
He read it, then said: "Mr. Willough
by, let the poor fellows sad story remain
our secret-fo for the present at least"
A year passed. The mysterious affai
of which have written had long sine
lost its interest to the students and th'
townapeople and had ceased to be the
one all-absorbing subject of converse
tion.
j On the morning of June 4, 1867
President D-summoned Walter Clay
ton, a student, and myself to his room
When we had entered he closed tn
door. His face wore an unusually seri
ous expression.
Gentlemen" he began, "you bav
heard of the death of old George CARR
son?"
"The sexton of the Episcopal church?
I said; Eyes, air, he died three days age
did he not?"
ayes, Gentleman, just previous to hi
-,