The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-11-10
principally to him was the fact that he
wore a knight Templar's bhdpe. I

L
wore a Knight Templar's badge.
stopped to examine it. You see it is a
very curiously made pin, and he re-
marked that he was not strictly entitled
to wear it; it had formerly belonged to
his father, who was dead. L shall be
most happy to give my testimony in
your behalf, Mr.. Burton. And now, if
1 can get out, 1 will bid you good even
ing, gentlemen" So saying, the gentle
man I,,thdrew.
1 saw that 1 could prove an alibi, and
thus undoubtedly clear my client but
was ambitious to do more. wanted to
arrest and convict the guilty party. The
rext thing for me to do was to see the
keeper of the cigar store, at which my
Dutch painter on his way home had seen
Mr.. Richards after p. m. on the night
of the murder. On the following morn
ing took the train for K, and on
my arrival went directly to the cigar
store, and then spoke to the man behind
the counter of the murder.
"Oh |" said he, "poor man, poor
man, he was in my store about an hour
before they found him dead"
Indeed" said /, did he trade with
you~
"Oh, yes, sir; why he came in here,
as tell you, and bought some cigars
that very night on which he was killed,
and stopped moment to chat with me.
Then he looked at his watch, and said /:
It is quarter past 6. l must go in
and lock up the bank and go home.
Just then his man servant came in and
said:
"'Mr. Richards, have note from
Miss Clara for you, sir.
"'Well, Thomas, said he, suppose
it is for money that usually is the SUBJ
ject of her perfumed notes to me come
into the bank moment
"In little while / saw the servant
going in the direction of Mr.. Richards
house, and in about an hour afterward
his master was discovered in the bank
dead"
This from the cigar-store keeper. 1
did not let him know was attorney for
the accused, and was soon turning my
steps toward the late residence of the
deceased. 1 was admitted by his late
servant Thomas, and was soon convers-
ing with Miss Clara, to whom I confded
my relations with Burton. / asked her
what time she sent Thomas to the bank
the night her father was murdered.
81 did not send him at all, she re-
piled, evidently surprised at the ques-
ton.
"Well," said 1, "we are going to ac-
quit Howard Burton, and to take his
place we want to find out who did COM
NIT the crime. Now, Miss Clara, are
you sure you did not send Thomas to
the bank the night of the murder9"
L know very we'll 1 did not, >" was her
answer.
"Then," 1 replied, either the keeper
Of the cigar store is mistaken, or your
servant Thomas is the murderer of your
father.
She did not look as much surprised as
/ expected at this assertion.
"Mr. c." said she, " the night
poor papa was murdered, Thomas came
through the hall and started to go up
stairs. wanted him to mend the fire
and called him into the sitting room.
As he entered noticed large dark
spot on his cheek, and one on his collar.
l half suspected him when heard how
anxious he was to tell the court about
that unfortunate little difficulty between
papa and Howard Burton, but did not
say anything about it to any one, they
were all SO sure Howard was guilty."
/ told her to treat Thomas as usual,
and not to speak of our conversation to
any one. After receiving a letter she
wished to send to Burton, took my de-
parture for C.. Immediately on my
arrival there l went to my client and
communicated to him all had learned,
and delivered the letter. The poor fell
low was supremely happy, and invited
me to tea with him in his cell. He ate
heartily, and smoked cigar with evil
dent enjoyment. took the first real
nights rest that night had since the
death of Mr.. Ricnards. had previously
sworn out warrant for the arrest of
Thomas, to be served as soon as the jury
should pronounce my client not guilty.
The District Attorney opened for the
people in an elaborate and very able
speech, giving the details of the case,
and then proceeded to examine the wit
nesses.
Thomas, the servant, was first called.
He swore to the quarrel between Mr..
Richards and Burton, and that he heard
Burton threaten Mr.. Richards life.
Notwithstanding 1 closely cross-exam-
ined him, failed to make him contra
dict himself, and when he retired nearly
every one in the courtroom was doubt
less certain that Howard Burton was
guilty. The next witness was the hotel
clerk, who testified that Burton came in
to the hotel while he was attending the
guests from the train that arrived in
Cat half-past 6 o'clock. Then fol-
lowed the examination of the bank
cashier, who swore that the package of
$4,000 found on Burton at the time of
his arrest was deposited in his bank on
the afternoon of the murder. After
calling several other witnesses, whose
testimony was of minor import, the
prosecution rested. 1 then followed,
and, after brief opening address, called
the German painter, who swore to seeing
Mr.. Richards send Burton on the er-
rand; also to seeing Mr.. Richards in the
cigar store after o'clock ON the evening
of the murder. When 1 bad finished
with him he was submitted to severe
cross examination, in which he acquit-
ted himself very creditably. Then
called the conductor, who swore TO see-
4 49,. d.