The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-02-05

was pale as death, and at the mention OF
the name he started back with cry, and
found the eyes Of all fixed upon him.
His name was Abner Tenney!
He made no effort to fly, and when
strong hands were laid upon him, he
smiled and told the people that he would
face the accusation.
The young man was formally arrested
on Ellen Milliken's statement, ana
brought to the bar of justice. He de-
MED the crime, but astonished everybody
with his answer concerning his where
abouts on the night of the crime:
~ admit that I was not at home, but
where was will not tellW
This answer was twisted, as it could
easily be by the excited community, into
broad strands of guilt, and the young
man was remanded by the magistrate for
a regular trial at the next term of court.
There were few who believed that he
might tie innocent. When it became
generally known that he had been
sutton for Eva Buskirk's hand without
the sanction of her father, revenge was
added to the motive for the murder.
Ellen Millikln's word was believed; she
was girl of violent passions, but her
veracity in this case was not dragged in
to question. She acknowledged that she
loved Abner Tenney-hence her reluct :
ance to testify; and after the preliminary
examination, she said tat she regretted
having revealed the secret. . .'s.
But it was out now, and the young
man lying in the county Jail reiterated
his innocence, but still refused to make
known his whereabouts and occupation on
that night. -...s H. ,*a5,
1t was strange that Ellen Mill1ken's
testimony should remain uncorroborated
in its essential particulars; but there were
several parties who had seen the accused
near the scene of the crime at late hours
of the nj ght. He did not deny this, but
presistently refused to explain his pres
ence there.
His father visited him, and begged him
to unburden himself; but to him he in
variably returned the same answer:
"Were I to tell you, you would feel as
badly as though I had committed the
murder.''
The Young man was visited by many
acquaintance, to whom he would not
reveal his secret, and it at last became
more than half suspected that he had
aecomplices who had concealed the
money, not one dollar of which had, as
yet, been found.
Ellen Milliken continued to reaffirm
her statement. She was confident that
she had heard Buskisk call on Abner
Tenny in tones that left no doubt on her
mind that he addressed his murderer. As
the time for the trial approached, she lost
her reluctance, and openly declared that
she kness that the accused had committed
the crime.
Her brother, not having been at home on
the night of the murder was not summoned
as a witness. It was known that he. too,
had visited the Buskirk homestead as a
sutton for Evas hand, but that of late he
had turned his attention to another lady,
to whom he was paying his devoirs.
The excitement consequent upon the
farmers violent death and Abner Ten
ney's arrest did not for one moment abate
during his sojourn in Jail. To young
man who visited him, he said:
OpdlC ACs cOuA. 4Ou AnOW WuClC
was that night; yon know what I was do.
ing. If I escape this time will be a bet
ter man. TIE murder of my honor would
send my father to the grave as quickly as
the shedding of my blood by the law.
Do not come forward and try to save me
by sacrificing my honor" ...:
''They will hang you if you do not tell
ALL" was the reply. "Lct US swear to the
truth. Do not let Eva believe that you
killed her father
The last sentence drove Abner Tennev
to the wall of his cell with groan: 1t
seemed to unnerve him.
"She will never believe it!' he cried, a
moment atterward. I'm her eyes will
der, ever though they hang me for the
crime"
The young mans visitor left, and
joined two other men of his age in the
corridor of the Jail.
''What does he say now2" was asked,
with eagerness. $50.
HE is still obdurate, and declares that
we must not expose him."
"Can we save him without the expos
urea"
owe mustl We shall2"
The trio were youths of respectable
parents, but considered fast young men.
They had OF late been Abner Tenney' s
companions, much to the regret of the
few pious people vino had noticed the
familiarity. ... g. "
"Look here,' said one, addressing his
companions; II hold myself in part re-
sponsible for Abner's present situation.
We led him into the habits that have
fastened themselves upon us. We must
save him.
The spokesman of the dissolate party
was young student of medicine, and it
was not long afterward that learned
medical gentleman of Cincinnati came to
the county. The body of Zimri Buskirk
was exhumed and examined.
John French stood by and watched the
professor.
"Well2" he said, at last.
"You say that she swore to hearing
Mr.. Buskirk cry out after the thud of two
blows?"
$50 she swore' "
''The first blow must have produced
instant death. 1t drove pieces of skull
far into the brain. A stab in the heart