Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-02-10

down, and scene of great excitement
occurred. At the next village. the local
doctor, who as it happened was man of
no great skill, was sent for and dexter.
ously insinuating to him that had nown
my companion to have suffered from the
heart disease Of some years. standing,
with many compliments to the profes.
sional acumen Of the doctor himself, that
worthy was not long in pronouncing it a
case Of sudden death from disease OF the
heart; and I was suffered, in view of nv
representations as to the urgency Of my
mission to Bristol, to proceed on my
journey. This is the bare outline Of my
crime, the details would only weary you
and my time is short, succeeded in
leaving ENGLAND and reaching Brazile,
where have amassed a fortune. That
fortune is within the box which lies be.
meath my hand,'
He paused, for violent spasm seized
him, and it was not for some time that
could recover him sufficiently to enable
him to proceed.
Raising himself in bed with difficulty,
he unlocked the box, and disclosed an
array of unset diamonds, whose brilliancy
- .
fairly dazzled me.
''Here are $4,000 worth Of diamonds "
proceeded Mr.. Grierson. shave CONVEX.
ted all my fortune into these gems, and
these l intrust to your care. Take this
box at once to your cabin and return to
me for your instructions as to the dispos-
al Of the contents"
hesitated but he was imperative.
mot word. I am dying fast, and I
implore you to accede to my last re.
quest"
l took the box, locked it. and left the
cabin.
As opened the door, ran up against
Pete.
what the devil arc you doing here T.
Nothing, Massa.''
I passed on along the main deck tow.
ard my cabin forward, and on my way I
met Captain McGarlane.
''How is your patient, Doctor g
"Dying I fear. He cannot last long -
Ipassed on, and, depositing the box in
q place ofsafety, returned. Grierson was
rapidly sinking, and in few broken sen.
fences he instructed me as to the dispos.
al Of his property. Ten thousand
pounds was to 90 the bankers, Messrs.
Holt & Wardlev. Of Lombard street, and
the balance to the family of the murder.
ed man, whose name was given me. and
whose representative pledged my word
to do my best to discover.
Finally, binding me over not to dis.
close what had Just been told, except
to the parties named by him in his dying
request, Grierson rclapsed into a partial
insensibility, from which l in vain at
tempted to rouse him, and before half an
hour had elapsed the unhappy man was
no more.
Going on deck communicated the
news to the captain, who gave the nee
essary directions as to the funeral, which
took place the next day; and once more
we were blowing our way through the
blue waters as if nothing. had happened
was an altered man. The strange
commission with which had been intrust
ed weighed on my mind. Over and over
again in the stiffness Of the night, Iopen'
ed the box Of diamonds, and gazed on the
brilliaucy Of the gems. What proof was
there that they were not mine! the box
with its brass plate bearing the owner.
name, could be destroyed in q moment
and then. Over and over again the devi
whispered to me, but, thank God, I re
sisted the temptation. would fulfill tn,
trust confided to me, and prayed fer
vcntly for strength to resist the cvi
promptings Of my bascr self. .:
One day I sat alone, the box unlocked
on my table, gazing with an irreppressi
BILE curiosity, which I was unable 70 con
troll, on the jewels, which sscintillatet
with . dcvilishs luster before my dazet
vision. The door suddenly opened, an.
Captain McFarlane entcred.~s -.
II beg your pardon, Doctor. Didn'
know you were engaged But before
caught the simmer Of the bril1iants.
"Halloo! whst's here!'' -
With . firm hand he closed, the lid an
read the name upon tho plate. innocent
rs was, involuntary stung by the re
membranes Of what my thoughts ha
been but 2 moment before. y quailed be
forc his eye.
I II know all snow-that man was poison
ed-- considery yourself my prisoner - :. 49,.
I endeavoredto explain. Itold every
thing as it had occurred, and-@I appesle
to the ptxin . believe hs.story, or. q
least to awaitits reasonable confirmation
before acting on his rash conclusion. ii
Was incrcdulous. One concession T.. oh
tanned, and t6st was that oil should b
kept secret till:ou arrival in pc, t, an
that I should not be publicly branded q
= suspected murderer before the crew.
A fortnight passed away, weary fort
night, during which IrepeatedlY endeav
orsd to shake the conclusion 1t whicl
Captain McFarlane had 20 hastily arrived
Suddenly, without q moment warning
tho captain fell sick. + begged him {
accept my services. 81 ssf.s. rs s {.
Never; you shall not poison me. too.
Days passed, and the captain got wors
and worse; he babbled in his delirium Q
poison, and stolen jewels; and night an
day I watched ct his bedside, iealousl
excluding everybody Who might PEI
chance overhear his rawlings and rise u
lin judgement against me. u. 3s4:.,
One day the crisis came. A fewGhoar
would determine all. 1.-The died Iva