Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-03-23
SAVED BY A HAIR.

y SAVED BY a HAIR.
A very little thing will sometimes save a
mans life's, as the following story will
show. While reading the evening paper,
I noticed something which interested me
at once. whats this ?'' I said, as my
eye alighted on startling paragraph:
/ "MYsTERIoUs MURDER. Randolph,
one of our old and wealthy citizens, was
this morning found dead in his rooms,
having been murdered during the night
Edgar Morton, clerk in his employ, and
who. report says, was soon to be married
to his daughter, has been arrested for the
murder, and circumstances are said to be
strongly against him."
Now, although I am usually among the
first to hear of criminal news, from the
nature of my business, this was the first
intimation L had received that such a
murder had been committed. having been
out of town during the day. AS 1 had
been On the best terms with Mr.. Randolph
and his whole family, it occurred to me at
once that my advice would be sought.
And so this is the way that Edgar
Morton repays his benefactor and the
father of his afianced bride! Yet no! it
cannot be, I will stake my life on that
young mans innocence
| AS spoke, there came gentle tap at
the door, followed almost Immediately by
the entrance of a lady, deeply yelled, who
at once threw aside her veil, disclosing the
face of my deceased friends daughter,
Cecile Randolph.
Excuse me, Mr. Ferguson, for entering
unlimited; but urgent business lmpels
me-"
BE seated Miss r sndolph,' I said.
rising. and handing her chair.
80, Mr.. Ferguson - she sobbed forth,
burying her face in her hands. ''That I
should ever be obliged to come to you on
such an errand AS this -
/ I endeayored to quiet her, and partly
| succeeded. when | drew from her what
particulars she knew regarding her father
DEATH sd
'He- retired last night. at his usual
hour, apparently in good spirits, and no
sound was heard during the night to cause
any alarm. In the morning as he failed to
appear aI breakfast, a servant was dis.
patched to summon him. Knocking al
the door, and receiving no answer, he
finally opened it ard advanced into the
room. What sight then did he behold
Nv poor father lay upon his bed, with his
throat cut from ear! Death must have
come to him suddenly-so suddenly as to
prevent an outcry- and the unknown as.
sassn had no trouble in making his es.
cape.
But" said. 81 can't see why any one
should suspect Edgar of the murder
''This is the most mysterious part of the
sad affair When Edgar was told of the muir
der, he turned very pale. reeled and would
have fallen to the ground had not support
been given him. Some of the ignorant be-
holders of this scene thought his actions
denoted guilt, and an officer was summon
ed, who at once insisted on searching his
room. A razor, on which were several
spots of blood, was found concealed under
clothes belonging to Edgar, which was
bespotted with blood. This was consider
ed sufficient evidence to warrant his arrest,
and he now lies in Jail, charged with the
awful crime of murder. Oh, Mr.. Fergu-
son ! If you can do anything to save him
and at the same time bring the guilty per-
petrator of this deed to justice, 1 will
amply reward you."
do you know any enemies of your fa-
ther, or of Edgar, who would be likely to
commit such crime either for.money or
revenge?" asked
"Oh. sir" she replied. sit was not done
for robbery, as everything in the room was
as father left it the night before. His
watch and pocket-book. the latter con-
tanning quite a sum of money, we're found
under his pillow, where he always placed
them, 80 that the crime must have been
committed to crafty fendish thirst for
revenge"
"Now, then, who of all your acquaint
ances could do such athing?''
Il cannot possibly say. Father had not an
onOhJ III ouO Woiiu w uy huoWioukOs VI
Edgar either. unless, perhaps, it might be
Conrad Smithley, my poor fathers book
keeper and trusty clerk but it would be
impossible for him to do such deed.''
"What reason have you to suspect that
be is not Edgar's friend?"
"Only this: Some time ago Conrad, whom
we have always regarded as one of the fam
lily, proposed for my hand. and told him
it was not mine to give. II suspected as
much" he muttered, and then. whilst his
face grew dark and his features assumed
an appearance perfectly fearful, be contln-
ued, "but you shall never become the wife
of Edgar Morton while have life to pre-
vent it, He then wheeled about, and alb
/ ruptly left my presence. was considera
hlv alarmed and thOuDht Of sneak inn tr