The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-09-14


Ing night, Frank Waldron had been
seen prowling around the residence OF
Mr.. Meredith, but t'nobody had perceived
him enter the house. On being searched
after arriving at Millville prison, bag
of gold was found ON his person, and
his hat was found lying on the floor Of
the room which opened out of Mr..
Meredith's, and through which any per-
son would have to pass to get out of the
house on leaving the murdered mans
sleeping apartment.
Such, including Mrs. Jameson's &C.
count of Franks startled and peculiar
appearance on his arrival home, and the
words she heard him utter to his wife
with which the reader is already ac-
quainted, constituted the chief evidence
against him; but circum stantially 1t
could hardly have been more damaging.
Most people believed-even those who
knew him well--that he was guilty of
the horrible crime. The theory was,
that driven to desperation by his pow
erty, he had resolved to only rob his
wife's uncle; but that the gentleman
had been aroused from his slumbers by
the noise made by the robber, and the
latter fearing arrest for his attempt at
burglary, had rashly killed Mr.. Mere
dith. 1t was well known that Mr..
Meredith had been on bad terms with
his niece and her husband since their
marriage, and many persons had often
heard Frank say that he hated the
miserly, selfish old man.
Well, three weeks after Franks arrest
and committal, his trial took place. His
testimony on his own behalf was as
follows: M tr
Having but little faith in Mr.. Mere
dith's assisting him and his family, and
being depressed and low-spirited, he, on
the evening in question, lounged about
the formers house for two or three
hours before he gained sufficient courage
to enter. He at last went in by the
front door and found Mr.. Meredith in
the library. The old man received him
coldly; and when he stated his errand,
Mr.. Meredith said he would furnish the
aid he solicited, but only on certain
conditions. He must leave his wife and
children, go to Australia, and stay there,
while his wife and loved ones must live
with Mr.. Meredith. He had no choice,
his family being now on the verge of
extreme destitution; SO he pledged his
word and honor that he would comply
with Mr.. Meredith's heartless condi-
tions. The latter gave him the bag of
gold found on his person to pay his
expenses to Australia, and to enable him
to live there until he found employment.
He had then hurriedly left the house
so it was not surprising that, being con-
fused by what he had just done, he
should forget his hat and walk home
bareheaded; though it was mystery to
him how it had got into the room where
it was found, for he had not been in the
room at all. Was 1t not natural under
the circumstances that he should arrive
home looking startled and pale, and that
he should use just such an expression in
speaking to his wife as Mrs. Jameson
had overheardY Yes, it was indeed
fearful cost at which he had procured
bread for his starvinc familvr-at tho
cost of exiling himself for wears. perhaps
forever, from the ones he loved the best
in all the world.
Jobn Nob,e Mr. Nrorod;th,s or,,, cor
want. except an old charwoman who
came in the morning TO do the house.
work and cooking. and then denarted
all, a., I..., a., l.4