The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1879-12-17
LAMBERTvILLE n. J.. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER II. 1879 y
nett, or even having seen nsaafzer / felt tie
/ counting HOUSE ssith tka rheck

zi4 ~ al zss7 &
nett, or even having seen nr&afser fslt the
counting house with tks check.
Itold my own story, but was hoara with
incredulity. Tho evidence of tho paying
teller, Mr.. Gwianett and Elnathan 0anche---
every word Of il n true except tho infamous
suppression Of single fact BY the latter. left
the examining magistrate no rooaa for doubt,
and was committed for trial. 3
= It was not long in dividing Eanathana me-
tive. Wetlfad been rival suitors Of Martha
Hale, and my love had been preferred 10 hss.
Elanthan yielded with q good grace. SEEM
ingly, and even professed to be my friend--a
profession accepted the more readily because
! felt secret pity for his disappointment.
His perfidity was now apparent. His plan
was to fix on me the brand Of q felOn, TINS
rendering my union with Martha impossible,
aud opened the way 20 arenewal os his own
hopes. The nefarious plot was oontrived with
such Internal skill that its success seemed
well-nigh certain. 1
One evening, not long before the day fixed
for the trial, when the garrulus old jailor
brought in my supper, he seemed more talka-
tive than usual Instead of thrustng the
disbes. through the col door, as formerly, he
entered and sat down for chat. ~
The conversation soon turned on the ap.
preaching trial, Of the result Of which spoke
despondingly.
az wonder at your staying here to wait for
IL so patiently, "be said. .SDs
Its hardly . matter Of CHOICE" I re.
pneq.. gAA9g e8Aa1a Etafak as
ssi'"a Well, q strong, active young fellow
might find his way out, one would think"
There was curious twinkle in the cum
ming old eyes which excited my attention.
:" am old and feeble" he continued,
"what's to hinder you, now, for instance
from binding me hand and foot, and after
changing clothes with me, taking these keys
and departing at your leisure 2"
III do 1t /" cried, springing to my feet !;
ian innocent p,an owes no Submission to the
laws injustice" s
." Come, don't get excited" whined the
jailor in tone of mock alarm. I'll not drive
You to use force, which 1t would be useless to
resist. !" 4 7as - aas ~ ass
And to see the cheerfulness with which be
submitted to the substitution Of his own gar
ments for mine one would have supposed 1t
wasa friendly exchange.
With strips torn from my sheet, bound
the docile keeper hand and foot, placed him In
an easy position on the bed, gagged bis mouth
comfortably, took bis bunch Of keys, locked
him in, pulled his hat over my eyes, and soon
was free man.
Regore morning was miles auay and AZ
the next seaport town shipped as common
sailor.
In a foreign land I began anew, and Ia
few years succeeded In gaining competence.
But of what value was Il, of even life itself,
when not shared by ono whose absence made
all else worthless.
At times was tempted 20 write to Martha.
! BIT no. said, doubtless she, too, believes
me guilty. How can she do otherwise IN the
face Of the evidence and my own flightS 'ma3
! One day was met and recognized by an
old friend travelling abroad. Instead of shuu-i
ming, he met me cordially. ss3 e ,s
"Why have you not returned TO visit your
Oiu uouio, ho oshousH pD ~ io"oos oom'nuui-
Gated with your friendsP'N
"A strange question: l replied. You can
not have forgotten the cruel suspioion?'
Surely you have heard how all that was
cleared up (. & aet ss'eis ,.s "
Cleared up ! exclaimed, with that tree
NOR Of the heart which one experiences at a
suddsn gleah Of hope :wllioh he drcadsto see
exthignished OF the very next mamont.
quite cleared up, replied my friend Ell
nathan Ganche fell a victim to the epidemic
last summer and on his death bed acknowl-
edged ALL .'gIJIAT IT,
And Martha Hale fs4vu..es ~
Is still single and beautiful DIS ever, though
trife melancholy at times. Her friends say
there is a certain person whose presence, they
think, would cheer her UP nightly.
The next steamer carried me home, where
everybody made me welcome, and Martha
not the least warmly. She has not quite ex-
planned the mystery OF the old jailer's conduct.
/ IFS lived as domestic in the family Of
Martha,s father when she was n child, and
was devotedy attached to her.. How she and
he had plotted together for my escape, it
would be breach of confidence 10 tell.