Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1878-10-16

The door was thrown open,
man of dark vissage appeared OF
the threshold.
"Your duty, DR.. Rowe. he said
authoritatively. Samuel Ashford
is the victim of foul play, and
there"-pointing to the wife-"i'
his destroyer"
The miserable woman fell to the
ground in swoon.
An inquest was held, at which
the unhappy woman had to appear
None knew her well, but those who
knew her best were amazed at see
ing how much she had altered in q
few weeks. She was sad and
calm, and told the same story she
had recouuted to DR.. Rowe, avow.
ing she had hoped, in sending foi
DIR. Stone, he being a young prac-
titiuner, that he would have given
the certificate without discovering
the cause Of death. She was ask
ed if she had no witnesses TO con-
firm her statement, and she replied
in the negative.
"Had not her sister been with
her ut the time ~
mo; she had called that day,
having come to say good bye, as she
was leaving for California, but find
ing Mr.. Ashforth at home, and Of
Tended at his insults, she had quit
ted the place at once, determined
never to see him again"
"Where had she gomez
To Sanfrancisco where she was
a governess."
Her own testimony pointed to
her as guilty, and she was commit
ted for trial.
DR.. Rowe was the only one who
visited her. He was much affected
by her story. He procured her
counsel, about which she seemed
indifferent, while she refused to
tell him her family name and adj
dress.
The trial came on. The chief
witness against the wife was the
purhlind old servant, who spoke
with animosity and vindictiveness
Accounted for, perhaps, by a
long interview with Samuel Ash
forth's nephew, the counterpart Of
himself, and the heir of his uncle's
property if the wife were remov-
ed.
The last moment arrived. The
jury returned to their places; the
foreman had uttered the fatal word
Guilty" with recommendation
to mercy. The prisoner rose to
receive her sentence, when shrill
voice rang through the court, and
a female figure, her hair hanging
loosely over her sholders, rushed
forward TO the dock, and extended
her arms to the prisoner, who
bent down to her. Then q striking
likeness was revealed, only the last
conner was prettier, fairer, younger
and more delicate.
"Estelle, why are you here9'
"To save you, my darling" an
swered the girl, passionately clasp
ing the others hands.
She continued-"Gentlemen thi-
is my sister, all she has stated is
true-she is innocent! If any one
is guilty, it is for l was Samuel
Ashforth's wife,
She had scarcely concluded
when she fell in o swoon upon the
floor.
Carried to the judges room, her
sister was allowed to attend her ;
and while there the prisoner own
ed that she had spoken falsely.
81 am Estelle's sister, and not
Mrs. Ashforth. AS | stated, when
speaking of myself in the third
person, | had arrived to take fare
well of her before leaving for Cali.
fornia, when / found her husband
at home"
IL was preparing to quit th,
house at the very moment my poor
, darling rushed into the room tell
ing me what Mr.. Ashforth hat
done, and that he was dead. Sh,
was in such state Of terror tina
| dreaded her manner would brin,
suspicion on herself were she seen
therefore, aware she was not mucl
r known, l persuaded her to TAX
my place, and leave me, who wa
( calmer, in hers. She obeyed ; Blu
, apparently stayed near 20 see tn
! result. Had she not, / would hav
r gladly accepted death to save on
5 who suffered six years barbarou
, cruelty, such as no mind can con