Louisiana capitolian., 1881-10-08
TRAGEDY IN THE FOREST

The family of Cliffhurst were sitting
ut breakfast when Gresham. tho district
attorney, drove up to the door.
"Come with me to the forest" he said
to Mr.. Mordaunt, in some excitement.
"Thare has been terrible murder COM
mitted there, aud | want your ADVICE
Mr. Mordaunt was retired lawyer,
who had been particularly celebrated in
criminal cases. and who spent his sum-
mers at the estate he owned, called Cliff
hurst, II few miles from Berkton.
"Willingly," he said, 81 confess still
take an interest in MI difficult cases
When we were seated safe in the car
riage, Mr. Gresham said
II was not more explicit before the
ladies, because the accused is one they
know--afiss Stray. She has killed her
father"
impossible" cried Mr.. Mordaunt, in
an accent of horror and incredulity.
$50 | said, when | first heard of it..
But the proof is unanswerable. She is
now in Berkton JAIL
IL don't believe word of it, retorted
the other. ave know her slightly, yet
well enough to make sure that there is
some mistake about it. No, it can't be-
His companion shook his head. II
fear you are too sanguine. But you will
see and Judge yourself. There is to be
an inquest at the Locks"
The Locks, as the name implied, we're
on the canal. There had always been a
small settlement there, but since the
railroad had been built, depot, followed
by postofiice, the hamlet had grown
considerably. Close by was a gap in
the South mountain, which led to what
was called the forest, wild stretch of
woodland, from five to ten miles wide,
running between nearly parallel hills,
and extending for some thirty miles from
northeast to southwest. The name was
well deserved, for exc .pting few small
houses, scattered here and there, the
whole district was covered with it's
original growth of oak and chestnut,
with here and there grim hcmlocks and
pines. The settlers were principally of
German descent, their ancestors having
come from the Palatlnate century and
a half before. They retained, in d re-
markable degree, the manners and Gus
toms of the fatherland. Their houses
were generally of stone, frequently
with overhanging stories, and often with
stone staircases built outside.
In one of the widest parts of this for.
est, high mp on a spur of the sandstone
hills, lived or had lived. old Wilhelm
Stray, usurer, miser, the cruelest of
creditors, it was said, and tyrant TO his
family and all under him. He was sup
posed, however, to be the richest man
in the country and it was his only child
who was now accused of his murder.
''It seems said the District Attorney,
"that his daughter had been clandestine-
ly meeting Young man, and that her
father hearing OF it fell intoa rage and
threatened to turn her out of doors.
There was nothing against the lover, I'M
less it was his poverty. His father. Col.
Wolcott, was once q member Of Con-
gress for the adjoining district, and he
himself a rising young lawyer. The
girl had first met him at the house Of an
old schoolmate. She was at Mrs. Col
lingwood's boarding school, as you per-
haps you know. Stingy as old stray
was, he appears to have wished his only
child to be brought up liked q lady.
What passed in the interview between
father and daughter is not fully known.
The servant girl overheard angry words,