The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-04-10

4
and stood directly in front of me his
figure was slight, and his face concealed
! by mask but when he spoke / recoee
nized the voice that made me stand
and deliver"
Not quite 60 fast, young sir" said
he, as he perceived my intention to draw
on one side. "We don't part quite 30
easily this time. must have the medi-
cine"
What medicine 2'' / asked.
"Oh none of that stuff for me. l
wasn't that physic you have been sent
for; and that bottle l must and will
have. So take your choice-that bottle
and life, or" producing pistol, this
barrel and death
1t was a serious moment ; but my plan
was at once decided en-; so putting my
hand in my breast, SIS if for the bottle, l
refined close up beside him, and as he
eagerly stretched forth his hand for the
expected prize, drew my pistol and
fired. saw him stsgger, and in few
moments after, as it seemed, / was at the
gate Of Marlborough house.
Once inside and safe, l had no sooner
delivered the medicine to the servant, to
be taken up to DR.. Seyton, than the
state of tension to which my nerves (not
of the strongest) had been sitting, gave
way, and, but for some stimulsnt from
the steward, / should have tainted away
However, 1 soon recovered sufficiently
to narrate my adventure to him, but be
only laughed at my attributing literal
meaning to the robbers demand for the
bottle, and suggested it might be slang
for murder so held my peace on that
head, feeling the force of the lines:
man convinced against his will,
Is of the same opinion still.
The conversation with the steward |
soon changed to the family, and l |
learned from him that Hon. Frederick |
Wellester had half brother Ernest, a
very wild, dissipated person, who had
been q fsvorite of the earl until his char
acter was found out. This Ernest used
to live at Caultdale Place, one of the
earl's seats, some fifteen or sixteen miles
off; but owing to heavy gambling debts,
be was compelled to break up his estab-
ishment. and only retained one servant,
whom, after time, he also discharged.
This servant Mr.. Frederick had engaged,
and continued the steward, ga very
lecent servant Stevens was"
"Stevens ?" l CALCULATED very loudly,
dare say, for man looked into the
.psrtment and inquired: "Did you
all, sir p l was struck dumb; thou
and ideas rushed through my brain.
No; it was nothing" replied the stew
I'd; and the man disappeared, but not
'etore 1 recognized in him one of the
nen concerned in my late adventure.
uhb az GHlc HiolhChl tACtO was q siVos
isturbance in the house; and, going out
0 inquire the cause, found DR.. Seyton {
landing On the staircase interrogating
sevens, the other domestics being
rOuped around. {
How is this ?' exclaimed the doctor. I
How came you to bring me this? 1t s
ontains a slow poison"
"The gentleman brought it, sir, and
f course gave 1t to you"
But surely Poor could never have
lade this up. Look at it, Frank what
o you say ~ and DR.. Seyton held out
ne bottle; but before l could reach it :
tevers had taken it, and at the same !,
loment his foot slipped, and the vial
as dashed TO pieces on the ground.
he doctor looked annoyed at what ap- :
cared to him AS an accident; but to ne !
e that it was not the one | brOughD
and Tor what motive did you stop nay
Orse q few hours since, and who was .
our companion ?" These queries poured
ut rapidly, not giving time for any dis U
net reply; but when l paused jor a
oment be answered with look OF the L
imost establishment: " Sir, really do :
ot understand you. The bottle you !
rought gave the doctor, and as to the q
opping your horse and about COM
anton | am at quite at loss to know
hat you allude to-"
But need not enumerste the answers
V which he fenced off my inquiries; :
lffice it 10 LAY he denied all knowledge 7
hatever o. nv adventure and stoutly +
firmCd be had LOT lett the house since +
Ne previous day. What annoyed me
ill more was the conduct OF the steward, =
-bo appeared to regard my statement I
g proceeding either from a weak intel 9
sct or too Tree use of the means sup !
lied for my recovery. |
There was nothing to be cleaned from |
tevens, so of course he went his way, q
nd | remained with the steward Soon I
fter day bresk, DIR. Seyton TejoiDed us, ,
he Invalid was sleeping, and all imme> f
iate danger was over, so orders were I
iven for our horses 10 be put to. In a |
ew seconds news was brought in of some
f the farm laborers having discovered {
he hfeless body of q man lying in the !
DAD the remains had been removed to ,