Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1876-06-08

reading the county newspaper. tie
did not seem to notice us dismount-
ing, and we had secured our horses at
the hitching post and stepped upon
the piazza before he was aware Of oul
presence.
Gross Edwards" said Mr.. Brush,
in a very impressive tone, as he laid
his hand on the startled mans shoul-
der, Il arrest you for the murder Of
your uncle, Stephen Edwards; whom
YOU waylaid on Tuesday night, and
knocked from his horse with q club,
to secure the immediate benit of his
will"
Grave as the occasion was, I could
scarcely keep from smiling at this
pompous speech; but | think Mr..
Brush had mentally prepared and
committed it to memory on the way.
1t was the first time that he had been
called upon to arrest man on charge
of murder, and he evidently intended
to make the most of it.
Ross Edwards looked up into the
constab.e's face, then at me, with ap-
parent surprise; after which he turned
very pale, and seemed trying to speak
though unable to utter q word.
"l'm sorry" said Mr.. Brush, in a
less official tone, "and | hope the
charge may be proved false, but |
must do my duty, Your cousin Lucy
made the complaint, and got the war
rant ont. Here it is: and he began
to real-Commonwealth Of
"Ncyer mind reading it, interrupt
ed Ross Edwards, recovering his self
possession, and speaking very calmly.
Il know what a warrant Is, and |
know you are the constable. | will
90 with you at once; but rest assured
there is some mistake about ills
lie arose and put on his hat as he
spoke.
Il hope it will turn cut so, said
Mr.. Brush.
"Ross, said fer I had often al.
dressed him by his first namc-"do
you happen to know that your uncle
made will in your favor"
no. he replied, cooI,y.
"You don e.
"No, | don't know that he did 50,
He told Inc Il few days ago that he
would. lie had Il quarrel with Lucy,
who has a violent temper, and he SAID
that I should be his heir. lie told
me that she did not treat lin with
either affection or respect, and was
determined that she should MT be-
cone wealthy at his death: that's 5 all
| know about it.
"Ihen you don't know that he made
Il wilI?'
"No: | never saw him alive after
that-lueslay morning, | think.
When the coroner arrived, We pro
ceeled to Edwards house, where the
usual inquest was held.
The country physician testified that
death had resulted from u fracture OF
the skull with some blunt instru-
ment.
A ncighbor-one or two men who
found the body--tQstifcd that he
found it near by a round stone, Of
three pounds weight, stained with
blood.
testified concerning the will.
Ross Edwards again admitted that
lis uncle had told him that lie would
make such a will; that lie knew he
often changed his mind; yet he denied
that he had any knowledge Of the
murder.
"Where We're you the early part of
Tuesday night2' asked the coroner,
cycling him sharply.
Let me see: | took walk across
the fields to the river, and had a
swim. | got back by 9, | think.
Did you meet any one on the way
to the river or coming back?'
"Not a soul.
The verdict Of the coroners jury
was unfavorable to Ross Edwards,
and he was taken to Wellington,
briefly examined by magistrate, and
committed to Jail.
| remained behind to see if any
new facts could be learned; and it is
singular that the constable and the
coroner, with the prisoner, had been
gone half an hour before | thought Of
the will; then | sought the two coun-
trymen who had discovered the body
Of Mr.. Edwards, and asked:
"Were there any Indications that
he had been robDed?'
EYES," they both replied; the pock-
cts were turned wrong-side OUT
eyes; and memorandum book lay
on the ground, nearly covered with
dust"
"Did you see anything that looked
like a villa good sized paper?"
"No; notl ing but the memorandum
book; it had a little money inside
We handed it over to Lucy, just as
we found it.
Here was new and singular feat
ure of the case. Where was the will?
Had Rose Edwards been so stupid as
to take it with him after committing
the murder, to make sure of 1t? If so,