Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-15
THE TELLTALE VISION.
Or. Murder Will Out.

sembied he had contrivcd considerably
to Tighten his pack. No one observed
him leave, and for month afterwards
nothing was heard OF his movements.
His absence excited no surprise among
the country people, as 1t was supposed
that he had gone to visit his relations
who lived in Ross shire. They, however,
ignorant OF his movements, and seeing
him only at distant intervals, were, OF
course, not troubled at his customary
absence, and the peddler might have been
away much longer before any suspicion
could have been excited. But exactly
four weeks after the festivities at Assynt,
a iarm-servant, passing deep and pre-
cipltous turn on the mountain road which
lies between the farm town and the Cla-
chan of Assynt. observed by the imper-
feet downright bundle floating upon
the top of the water, then unusually low
and clear \ rude raft was constructed,
and with his aid the neighbors dragged
the corrupted body of human being to
shore. Though much decomposed, ali
who were present Immediately recognlz-
ed the body of the missing peddler. Tho
clothes were the same which he had worn
when last seen, but the pockets had been
carefully turned out and rifled, and no.
thing of any value had been found on
the corpse.
Notwithstanding these suspicious ap-
pearances, the simple people, among
whom a murder had been committed,
concluded that the unfortunate man had
fallen accidentally into the tarn. So con-
frmed were they IN this opinion that they
at once buried the body, and John Mac
Donald and the tragedy connected with
him were in Il fair way OF being forgot
ten. The parish minister, however, had
accidentally learned Of the discovery,
and he forthwith forwarded information
to the proper authorities. The sleuff
of the county and the public prosecutor
Immediately came down to the district
and commenced searching investiga
ton.
Under the guidance of John Cameron,
the schoolmastcr-wno was recommend
cd to them by the minister as a skiltul
and trusty person ON whom every reii-
ance might be pIaC ed-and accompanied
by the medical men of the island, the
sheriff visited the spot where Mac Don
AIDS body had been buried. 1t was dis
inferred in his presence, and On examina
ii on several deep wounds were discov-
cred on the back OF his head. any one Of
which, the doctor said would have been
sufficient to cause death. Coupled with
the fact that the clothes had been
plundered, no reasonable doubt
IA +tat ,,,,rlor ho6
been committed. 1t was well known in
the island that Mac Donald, who had had
considerable money, carried his fortune
on his back-banks and stock bcin" IN
known Institutions TO those primitive
people. But for many days all the i'll
genulty of the law was baiiled to obtain
any trace Of the murderer. No one had
hecn seen with Macdonald after he left
Assynt; no article of any kind could be
identified as his property. The search
appeared truitless. Several murders,
however, had been recently committed in
the northern counties; they had remained
unpublished; 1t was therefore matter of
much public importance that i'll this case
an example should be made. The sheriff
established himself en- permGnence at a
roadside hotel in the vicinity, and an
nounced his determination to examine
every resident in the island.
During these Investigations the sheriff
was invarible accompanied by Cameron,
who, through his acquaintance with the
Gallo tongue, and his knowledge of the
inhabitants, proved q great assistance as
an interpreter. One morning, however,
the sheriff went down to the post-otlice
alone, Cameron beng for the first time
absent. During desultory conversation
the postmaster incidently stated that
soon after the date of the murder he had
given change for 6 Bank of England
note to a person who he did not think
should have so much money in his pos
session. Who was this2 John Cameron,
the schoolmaster. Cameron was sent for,
was asked how he came to have the mon
ey in question, and peremptorily denied
any knowledge of the transaction. His
statement, though made without appar-
ent embarrassment, excited suspicion.
ard he was arrested, charged with the
murder.
For some time, however, no facts APP
peared to confirm the suspicion Gamer
On's house, which stood on hillside by
itself, was infinitely searched, but none
of the peddler's property was found. His
sister, who lived with him, was evidently
perfectly innocent. She was young and
pretty girl, and, for her station in life in
telligent ard cultivated. When told of
the charge. she Indignantly refused to
believe that her brother was guilty, and
in deep distress followed him to prison.
One or two casual incidents, sShowever, of
which she spoke, proved of unhappy I'M
portance on the trial. Even then how
ever, though well aware of The falal eff
feet of her answers, she spoke fearlessly
and truthfully-w1th Spartan-like hon
esty meeting out her brothers doom. A
fearful dilemma, indeed-one where even
falsehood cannot be vigorously judged,
but where stern and rigid truth cannot
be too highly esteemed A noble High
land heroine. with her bloodless lips and
white fearless facial honor to the gen
tie womanhood that is yet too noble in
its maidenly honesty to tell lie.
Cameron, though unable to account |
satisfactorily for the money, was on the
point of being liberated, when a singu-