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

The following remarkable story has never
before been published Units complete form.
Years ago the main features OF it were
printed in the New York CourdRt, but, for
the sake of certain parties involved, the
full narrative was suppressed.
George Layman was a 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 fine farm *
cellently stocked. He was twenty-eigh
years old, and unmarried. With him re
sided an only sister of seventeen and gir
OF remark able beauty In 1926, when this
narrative opens, brother and sister were
living in the greatest affection and harmony.
In those lys 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
Thomts Miller. He was about nineteen or
twenty, we'll built. and exceptionally good
looking and attractive. He was exceed
i gy we'll informed, and spoke without any
OF the peculiarities OF dialect for which
Yorkshire men are noted His connections
were unknown. He came to the farm housr
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 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
/ -,
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 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 produced a certificate
showing such to be the fact. Miller dis
appeared March 20, 1926, when Fanny was
within three months of her confinement
On April II following a stranger arrived
at the inn in the adjacent village, and sent
for Farmer Layman, lie represented that
he was anxious to hire run for cattle, and
had heard that Layman's land was pecu-
lfarly adapted. A long conversation fol-
lowed, and Layman did not return home
until rather late. On the road thither, and
not more than half a mle from his home,
he came upon carriage standing in the
road.
Several. men were around, and one held
lantern while the others were putting on the
fore off wheel, which had come off in rut
Layman paused a moment, and as he did
so heard a stiled groan from the vehicle.
What's the matter~ he asked. "Any
one ,hurt?"
ooh, no." was the reply; the lady is
only alarmed-thats all"
"Help-help !" was heard in tones that
seemed to indicate a struggle to free the
speakers mouth from a muffling hood.
What means this?' Layman inquired,
exeitedly, springing from his horse and 60
ing toward the door of the carriage.
He was confronted by stalwart, gray
haired man in a capacious cloak, who
thrust him. aside with his left hand, and
said:
DO not interfere, my friend the lady is
nay daughter and 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 a lunatic
asylum, and we are Just conveying her
home. Make no alarm, or she may have TO
return"
Thus appealed to the farmer passed on,
and before two minutes had elapsed the
coach passed outof sight and hearing in an
opposite direction.
When the farmer reached home he found
that his sister was missing. Soon after he
left for the inn person brought glmessage
for her, and she walked down the road
with him. That was the last seen of her.
Search was made all over the neighbor,
hood, but it was uEavailing. The mar
at the hotel who had sent for Layman van
ished the same night, and il was believed
that he was in conspiracy with the abdue
tors ct the girl, and on him devolved the