The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-05-04

heard him rambling about the house and
The sounds from the late Mrs. Sweney's
room indicated that he was moving heavy
pieces of furniture, and instituting a gen
eral search among the deceased lady's
effects. Her clothing, and all papers which
did no. seem of Importance, together with
other articles of small intrinsic value, had
been left there. Aunt Jerusha regretted
now that she had not attempted to fit up
some other room for her guest.
But one remedy for her momentary
weakness suggested itself. a telegraph
line had lately been erected in the village.
She resolved to summon the LAWYER hy
means OF this mode of communication
She bad no sooner furnished the stranger
with bis dinner than she set out for the
village, where, after ascertaining what it
was necessary for her TO do. she concocted
the following message, which speedily was
flashed along the wires:
"Ihere's feller here with black hair
, like that you know on. Come as soon as
you can"
/ This done she returned to her home quite
satisfied with her eriard, and quietly sat
herself down to await the result. She
knew that she must wait at least a whole
day, but she resolved not to relax her Wig
lance and permit this man to escape.
Her precautions, however, were in vain
-
the evening summoned Aunt Jerusha for
some purpose. She found him sitting in
! the parlor, answered his questions and pro-
vided him with another nicely trimmed
lamp and fuel. After securing the doors
she retired, and, though she slept i'll, heard
no alarming sounds until the following
morning, when she arose, and having pre-
pared breakfast for the stranger, carried it
to his room.
To her surprise it was vacant. Macbeth
Sweeney had departed and left no trace.
That forenoon the lawyer arrived, ac-
companied by an experienced detective and
before nightfall pursuit was organized.
If found, the stranger would at least be
rested for robbery, for though there had
been little of value for him to take, it was
quite evident that Mrs. Swenev's escritoire
and receptacle for papers had been searched
and few relics, which Aunt Jerusha knew
had been cherished by the deceased lady,
were gone. Mr.. the lawyer who
alone knew anything of her history, be-
lieved that young sweeney was her murder
er, for he knew much of the prosecutions
she had formerly endured, and the attempts
that had been made to invalidate her mar
riage, and legitimize the son of the woman
who had become tie successor in her hus-
bands affections and her own rights. lie
also knew that an important paper-no less
than the certificate of her marriage-had
Deen lOSJ at the Jlille Oh Def murder,
Once more great crowd had been gath
cred at the cottage. Once more Aunt Je-
rusha and Uncle solomon were witnesses.
1t was for them, who alone had seen him,
to identify the prisoner who had just been
brought in, and this they did at once, un-
mindful of the terrible frown with which
he regarded them.
lie WAS committed to the county Jail for
forcible entry and robbery of the house,
and while he lay there the lawyers were
slowly weaving around him n web which
was to enmesh him. Having the clue va
riOus circumstances came to light, all tend
ing to show shat sweeney was the murderer.
He was shown to have been in the county
at the time and to have arrived at the near
est point by rail- which was near the resi-
dence of Mrs. Sweeney, on the very day of
the murder.
His object had been, doubtless, 20 intim-
idate Mrs. sweeney. compel her to yield up
the documents which proved her rights and
his illegiimacy. Having failed in this, he
had deliberately committed the murder
taken from her the certificate and departed
unseen.
The lock of hair clutched in the fingers
of the dead was also powerful witness
against him. Strange enough, it cores
ponded exactly in color, quality and
strength with his own. and just above the
temple was bald spot about the size of
tile lock, which seemed to De pulled thence
II probably thought that time
enough had elapsed to render his present
visit safe, more especially as no suspicion
had ever pointed to him anu this time he
came with the hope of securing an i'm
portant deed which Mrs. sweeney had once
in her possession, and which, III the father $
necessary communication with Mrs. Swe-
ney's lawyer he had learned had not been
, transferred to him. This was found among
the effects of Macbeth Sweeney, and he had
doubtless discovered it in some secret
drawer that had escaped the lawyers Wig
lance.
Circumstantial evidence alone convicted
him, but the universal comment upon the
verdict of the jury declared its justice. He
eXpiated his crime upon the gallows. and
Aunt Jerusha Sears became the heroine of
| Bennington. She looked upon herself and
was believed by Others to be the principal
instrument in bringing to light the perpe-
TRAITOR of mysterious crime, and punish
ing all who had been engaged in the perse-
! cutions heaped upon most unfortunate
and unhappy lady.
THE MAN VINO SroPs Hrs PArER.-