The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1879-09-17

must De ms SlStef--IOr the description an
swered to her in every particular-Layman
Selby he was waylaid by three footpads and
robbed. Then he was left on the highway
half dead. He was found by laboring
man. who recognized him and had him CON,
veyed home. When Layman recovered
consciousness he remembered distinctly
that one of the footpads said, when expos
tulated with by the others
You know as well as | do that the
understanding was that we were to kill
him"
Layman was vigorous man, and three
days after his last mishap he was on his
way to Leeds. Arrived at Kirkstall, he
found that the body had been claimed by an
old woman as that of her daughter, and
buried. Layman went before Mr.. James
Hargraves, then a magistrate, and applied
so have the body disinterred. Leave was
granted, and the next morning wassap-
pointed for the work. During the night,
however, the grave was opened and the
corpse removed. Who were the depreda-
tors was involved in mystery. Layman
saw in it a conspiracy to defeat Justice, and
by a wonderful stroke of good fortune hit
upon The very device which the despoiIers
of the grave had adopted. While examin-
ing the churchyard and the neighboring
field, he observed deep footprints under
meath very high wall, the ascent of which
was, however, easy to an unencumbered
person. These footsteps led both ways, and
Layman concluded that the person riding
the grave had both approached it and quit
ted it by that way. But it was next to i'm
possible that they could have done this
with the coffin in their possession, and
therefore he came to the conclusion that
al, l. L. 1. ~
within the precincts of the graveyard. A
search was made, but no newly-turned soil
was found. Mr.. Hargraye suggested ex-
aiming the old-fashioned square-raised
tombs, of which there were many in the
grounds, and sure enough, under one of the
slabs was found the. coffin and the remains.
Layman identified the body as his sisters,
audit bore marks to show that the girl had
been strangled.
BY this time the authorities of Leeds,
York and Selby had become alike inter
ested in the crime. That the man Miller
was at the bottom of it they had every
reason to believe. But who was he, that he
could bring his instruments to bear so read
lily wherever he desired to use them? And
what was his object in accomplishing the
death of the girl? The word "Seldon at
the end OF the writing on the scrap of
paper found in the chimney was evidently
the writer's name. Was Seldom the same
person as Miller, and was that person inter
ested in getting out of the way the girl
whom he had lawfully married Mr. Har-
graves shrewdness seemed to offer ra-
tional solution of the mystery, namely
That Miller had married the girl unknown
to wealthy parents or friends, and on their
learning the fact they had taken measures
to remove her, in order that the disgrace
Of. marrying beneath his station might be
renewed, and that he might be at liberty to
fulfill some other marriage engagement
which they-had arranged. One thing was
resolved onto look for Seldom. There
was family of that name in the North
Riding, residing near Birmingham. and
another branch of the same family at Stan
hope, in Durham. All investigation, how
ever, failed to connect any member of either
family with Fanny Layman. There was
only one young man of suitable age In
either, and he had been travelling abroad
at the very time of Miller's stay with the
Layman's. In the meantime it ought to
be said, coroner's jury had sat in the case
OF Fanny Layman or Miller, and returned
u verdict of willfGl murder against some
party or parties unknown
Two years passed away. Layman went
to London on pleasure or business, and as
countrymen were wont, visited the House
of Commons. He saw a gentleman coming
out of st. Stephens who attracted his at
tention. The young man Miller stood be-
forehim- there was no doubt of that. He
inquired who he was and learned that he
was James Aubrey Seldom, member of Par
lament for the North Riding of Yorkshire,
and that this was his first session in the
House. Layman returned the next day and
IL, h. r h.
In due time Seldom came, and Layman had
good view of him. No doubt remained
in his mind as to his being Miller. Lay
man was in doubt what to do. He had
ESQ in his pocketbook, and he said to him.
self that ought to secure the services of
lawyer. He asked for the courts and
meeting a host of lawyers coming
out in wig and gown, he stopped
one. This happened to be none other
than the renowned Brougham, who
listened to the man patiently. Calling
younger lawyer, he briefly informed him
of the facts and he asked Layman to wait
where he was for moment. The lawyer
returned with cab and he and Layman
drove to Bow street. A warrant was pro-
cured, and Seldom was arrested.
Now follows the most remarkable part of
this strange narrative.
Seldom denied all knowledge OF Layman
or his family, or that he ever went by the
name of Miller. His handwriting, how
ever, was shown to correspond exactly
with that of Miller, and that of the man
who signed "Seldon" to the scrap of paper
found in the chimney of the inn.
Seldon's father was ,lso positively identi-
fed by Layman as the gray haired man
who thrust him away from the carriage on
the night of Fanny's disappearance. A
host of witnesses, however, swore that the
elder Seldom was at home at that time and
sick in bed. To crown all, while Seldom
was still under examination, young man,
answering Miller's description somewhat
surrendered himself To the authorities and
confessed that he was Miller, and had en-
ticed Fanny away and murdered her.
The admission of this cold-blooded crime
aroused the Indignation of all who heard
| it. He was tried, convicted and sentenced
to be hanged within forty eight hours.
At the last moment he was reprieved,
and his sentence was subsequently, COM
muted to Punishment for life.
Layman persisted in his belief to the
very last that Seldom was the real man, and
his conviction was intensified by what &C.
Cured some years later. There was hunt
.at Rock Hall, the seat of Sir Joseph Rock
clife, Layman's landlord. Seldom was
there, and following the hounds he took a
path which no one knew utthose acquainted
with Laymans farm. This strengthened
the farmers belief that Seldom and Miller
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