Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-07-30
NUMBER 20.

knoWn ladt f1nCOast Dau nOL cOInmltteu
snicide, remain, for fear that bis going
away would create suspicion.
visited all the boot and shoe stores
in that part of the country, ostensibly to
buy pair Of boots. but | was hard to
suit. managed TO discover, however.
that none had made or sold a pair ol
boots or shoes with star in the heel.
fell to inspecting every shodded foot, and
the marks tboY might make. with inde-
fatigable perseverance,. Ii grew to be
such mania with me that 1 greatly sur
prised Mrs. Rollins by mechanically
raising Der boots as she laid them aside
to don her slippers one evening and ex-
amining the heels thereof and she fell
TO expasiating on the beauty OF the fit
and their cheapuess, tearing, the dear
little woman, that was growing parsi-
moniously inclined.
had boots and shoes. from number
nothings to unheard OF sizes, mixed up
in my dreams and when one night
missed the express, and took the last
| freight tor D, aud threw myself down
on seat in the caboose and fell asleep.
it WAS not surprising that fell 10 dream
ing OF the perplexing solution 10 the mYs-
terry attached 10 the murder OF Agent
Panooasl.
seemed to be in 60 invisible shape,
wandering around from place to place in
search CT paiJ OF boots with star
worked ia the heels with nails. At last
stepped into store, which recognized
Us being the one next door 10 the head
quarters in c.. Great 'broad-treads.'
with strange devices worked in the heels
with huge nails, fitted before me, and
ranged themselves on me long counter
by the side OF little shoes with no heels at
ell. Dainty ladies' shoes and gents
boots seemed of their own yolition 10
leave the shelves and boxes and come
down for inspection.
AZ last came the pair mad looked for
so lOng-a pair with perfect star worked
in the centre OF the heel. had already
resched ont lay hand to take them up,
when before me stepped q man | had
known by sight as q sort OF ne'er dc-well
vino had been brsking on the road for
few weeks. who, taxing possession OF
them with IN air OF ownership. walked
out.
AS he slammed The door Rwoke. sud,
starring to my feet. with the exclama-
tion AT last have found him ? found
myself face to face with the man OF my
dream. His slammIng the door coming
in had awakened me. and now, with pale
taoe, nc stood before mo and asked what
meant; and then. before | had recov-
cred from my bewi!derment. he laughed
nervousIy, sad with remark that | was
dreaming, picked up his lamp aud started
oct. But before he reached the coor
was myself again, and IN an instant had
my hand on his shoulder.
No, TO fast, my friend said /. Sit
down here and let me see your boot-heel.'
What the deuce is that torP he asked,
with much surprise.
DO as tell you answered. pushing
him into seat.
By this time the other brakeman and
the conductor had crowded up, and stood
lost in wonder at my proceedings.
l now raised his foot and thrill ran
.hrough me as saw that | had found the
chain. There it was, q. plain IS nails
could make it-a star 10 the centre OF the
heel.
who made you those boots | asked.
Watson, next door 70 headquarters. in
c., no replied.
Nv dream to Got was now sure
of my man; and pulling out The knife
with which tho murder had been COM
| United. and which carried for Just such
an occasion, opened It and holding it
up before his eyes, demanded in An ab-
rupt tone:
John Peters. is rot this your knife p
His brsyado instantly deserted him,
and turning as pale as a corpse he stam-
mered ou: that il was.
You never saw fellow weaken so
quick, ss when l put the bracelets on
him he 'squealed the whole thing.
1t was q sorry New Year to him, for it
was on Now Years morning that l
stepped from the train at Attcs with my
prisoner, and hurried him 30 jail His
trial came of in due course, and as he
confessed to the murder, no defense other
than the insanity dodge was set up by his
counsel.
He had gone over from C on the
train and reached Attica at ll.SO. He
had slipped into The ireight-room while
AGENT Pancoast wss at the train, and con-
cesled himself behind the freight and
he had stood on the box and looked over
the pile OF freight watching his chance to
aim out. he had seized his victim from
behind. cut his throat, and then, after
stabbing him, arranged the body and
knife to give the appearance OF suicide,
After possessing himself Of two valuable
nackases in the safe end taking a large
ro,, of mony from the wallet OF tho mur-