The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-09-10
A SCRAP OF PAPER.

before heen puollSneQ In us complete lorLi
Years ago the main features of it were
printed in the New York Counant, but, for
the sake of certain parties involved, the
tull narrative was suppressed.
George Layman was farmer, residing
near Seiby, in Yorkshire, England. Though
rot an educated man by any means, he was
above the average farmer. He had good
home, well-furnished and fine farm ex-
ce!lently stocked. He was twenty-eight
wears old, and unmarried. With him re-
sided an only sister of seventeen and girl
Of remarkable beauty. In 1926, when this
narrative opens, brother and sister We're
living in the greatest affection and harmony.
In those days it was customary for farmers
to employ young men, generally the sons
OF other farmers, and to board and lodge
them in the house George Layman had
seven such. One OF them WAS named
Thomas Miller. He was about nineteen or
twenty, we'll built. and exceptionally good
looking and attractive. He was exceed
inylv well informed and spoke without any
OF the peculiariries OF dialect Tor which
Yorkshire men are noted. His connections
were unknown. lie came 10 the farm house
with n stick in his hand and bundle on
hi, shonider, and obtained a nights lodg'
ing. He got into conversation with the
farmer and the hands, and, though he al
riltetl that he knew nothing OF farming,
but h1d worked at the trade OF gnnsmith,
h. expressed desire TO remain and make
himself useful about the place. Layman as
sented. Miller Joined the other young men,
and WAS apparently soon deeply interested
in his work.
An acquaintance soon sprang up between
Miller anu Fanny Layman, the farmers
sister. Unfortunately it took a clandestine
form, and the lovers-for such they soon
became-met in secret. The consequences
which might be expected followed, and
Miller soon aiterward disappeared. When
il was apparent to- her brother and neigh
bors that she was to become mother, she
solemnly averred that she had been mar
ricd to Miller, and produced certificate
showing such to be the fact. Miller dis
appeared March 20, 1926 when Fanny was
within three months OF her confnement.l
On April II following a stranger arrived
q; the inn IN the adj jacent village, and sent
for Farmer Lavlnan. He represented thai
he was anxious 10 hire run for cattle, and
had heard that Layman's land was pecu-
liarlv adapted. 4 long conversation fol-
lowed, and Layman did not return home
until rather late. On the road thither, and
not more than half milo from his home,
he came upon d carriage standing i'll the
road.
Several men were around, and one held a
lantern while the others were putting On the
fore of wheel, which had come off in a rut.
Lyman paused moment, and as he did
81 neard stihed groan from the vehicle.
Whats the matter?" he asked. "Any
one hurt?"
"Oh, no." was the reply; "the lady is
only alarmed that's all"
"Hclp-help" was heard in tones that
seemed to indicate struggle 70 free the
soa.ker's mouth from muffiing hood.
What means this?' Layman inquired,
excitedly, springing from his horse and go.
ing toward the door oil the carriage.
He was confronted by stalwart, gray
haired man in ! capacious cloak, who
thrus, him aside with his left hand, and
said:
"Do not interfere, my iriend the lady is
my daughter, und she is slightly alarmed
that is all.'
At the same time another person stepped
up to Layman and whispered:
"She has long been confined in lunatic
asvlum, and We are just conveying hel
home. Make no alarm, or she may have to
return"
Thus appealed to the farmer passed on
and before Ryo minutes had elapsed the
coach passed out of sight and hearing in an
opposite direction.
when the farmer reached home he found
that his sister was missing. Soon after he
left ior the inn n person brought q message
for her, and she walked down the road
with him. That was the last seen OF her.
Search wss made all over the neighbor.
hood, but it was unavailing. The man
at the hotel who had sent for Layman van.
ished the same night, and il was believed
that he was in conspiracy with the abduc'
tors OF the girl, and on him devolved the
part to- get the farmer ont of the way while
his sister was removed.
What was the object OF the abduction
That was the interesting question. Severa
davs passed, and the neighborheod was still
in excitement over the missing girl, when {
servant, cleaning out the CRATE in the room
occupied by the stranger at the inn, founc
a~crap of paper clinging to the chimney
1t had been partly burned with others, bu
had been carried up the chimney by drat
and clung to protuberance. This scrapo
paper was thought nothing OF by the ser
want, and would have been thrown away j
the landlord had not seen it and observed OF
i. the name "Layman.'' This attracted hi
attention, and he read all that was there
1t was as follows:
---get the--Layman out
the way. Won can easily entice fanny