The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-09-03
AsCRAP OF PAPER.

The following remarkable story has never
before been published in'its complete form.
Years ago the main features of it were
printed in the New York Cdurant but for
the sake of certain parties involved, the
full narrative was suppressed
George Layman was farmer, residing
near Selby, in Yorkshire, England. Though
not an educated man by any means, he was
above the average farmer He had good
home, weil-furnished and a fine farm ,x-
cellently stocked. He was twenty -eigh
years old, and unmarried. With him re
sided an only sister of seventeen and CIR
OF remark able beauty. In 1926, when this
narrative opens, brother and sister were
living in the greatest affection and harmony.
In those d lys it WIS customary Tor 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. lie was exceed
i igly we'll informed and spoke without'a any
OF the peculiarities OF dialect for which
Yorkshire men are noted. His connections
were unknown. He came to the farm house
with stick in his hand and bundle on
his shoulder, and. obtained nights lodg
ing. He got into conversation with the
farmer and the hands, and, though he ad-
mitted that he knew nothing of farming,
but had worked at the trade of a gunsmith,
he expressed desire foreman 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 and Fanny Layman, the farmers
sister. Unfortunately it took clandestine
form, and the lovers-for such they soon
became-met in secret. The consequences
which might be expected followed, and
Miller soon afterward disappeared. When
it was apparent to her brother and neigh.
bors that she was TO become a mother, she
solemnly averred that she had been mar.
ried to Miller, and prodnced a certificate
showing such to be the fact. Miller dis
appeared March 90, 1926 when Fanny was
within three months of her confinement
On April II following stranger arrived
at the inn in the adjacent village, and sen
for Farmer Layman. lie represented tha
he was anxious to hire a run for cattle, anC
had heard that Layman's land was pecu
liarly adapted. A long conversation fol
lowed, and Layman did not return home
until rather late On the road thither, anC
not more than half a mile from his home
he came upon a carriage standing in th'
road.
Several men were around, and one held I
lantern while the others were putting on tn,
fore off wheel, which had come off in a rut
Layman paused moment and as he die
so heard stiiled groan from the vehicle.
"Whats the matter?" he asked. "Any
one hurt"
ooh, no." was the reply; "the lady i
only alarmed-thats all"
Help-help p was heard in tones tina
seemed to indicate struggle to free TIA
speakers mouth from a mufiling hood.
What means this?' Layman inquired
excitedly, springing from his horse and go
ing toward the door of the carriage
He was confronted by stalwart, gray
haired man in a capacious cloak, VIII
thrust him. aside with his left hand, am
said
"Do not interfere, my friend; the lady
my daughter and she is slightly alarmed
that is all"
At the same time another person sieppe
up to Layman and whispered;
"She has long been confined in a lunati
asylum, and we are just conveying he
home. Make no alarm, or she may have
return"
Thus appealed to the farmer passed ol
aud before two minutes had elapsed th
coach passed out of sight and hearing in a
opposite direction.
When the farmer reached home he foun
that his sister was missing. Soon after
left for the inn person brought Nmessal
for her, and she walked down the roa
with him. That was the last seen of her.
Al - L
hood, but it was unavailing. The ms
At the hotel who had sent for Layman va
ished the same night and il was believe
that he was in conspiracy with the abdu
tors Of the girl, and on him deVolved Il