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

STAUNTON, VIRGINIA, FRI
father about it but during the forenoon
ne returned and begged my forgiveness for
the words he had used, and made such pro-
fessions of sorrow in regard to them that
said that | freely forgave him, and have
since thought no more of the matter"
1.-The fact is quito clear to me-" said I,
"Iknow this fellow we'll, and the sort Of
company he. keepssand I should not be
surprised to find Shat he had committed
the murder. His plan included Norton 3
execution as the murderer, the D ,ssession
OF your hand and the estate, so there was
no motive for small robbery-at least, thfs
is my, reading Of the case. Now, then,
want to see the body of your ia
ther, and the room in which the deed was
done."s g.;. Is Z
swell. SIR she said, rising and prepar-
fngto accompany me. ssyou will fnd every
thing as it was when first discovered; the
officer concluded not to disturb anything
until after the inquest, which takes place
TOMORROW fornoon."
Wrapping myself in my great coat, we
set out. and, after brisk walk of ten MIN
4 utes, reached the palatial residence of my
companion. was at once shown to the
room of the murdered man, and then be-
gan making such examinations as only q
detective knows how to make. Circum-
stances Of the most trivial character which
would be overlooked by an ignorant per-
son, are often seized upon by skillful de-
tective, and sometimes constitute most
damning evidence of guilt. In this case,
however. everything had been done in the
coed in making any discoveries.
iIswassAbout to leave the room in des-
pair.swhen, glancing toward the bed, I
noticed what appeared to be light scratch
on the neck of the murdered man, just
above the gaping wound which had 80 cru
ely let out his life's blood. On examina-
ton, Isfonnd it to be nothing more than
hair; which had in some manner proba-
bly, become loosened from the head of the
assassin, and had settled on the neck Of
the victim, where it now lay, a silent, yet
truthful witness, pointing out the guilty
wretch to the eye Of justice. The hair
was Of a deep red color, which was totally
unlike that of any Of the household. 1t was,
indeed, the same color and shade as that
of Conrad Smithley.
placed it carefully in my pocket-book,
and saying nothing to any one of my dis
covery, started for the residence of Smith
ley, intent on doing little acting. I
found him, as his attendant said, ill in
bed and no account to be disturbed. "Only
ruse, y I thought, "to divert suspicion
Stating to the woman that I wanted
to see him but for moment on the most
urgent business. she finally reluctantly
consented to my entrance. I found him
lying upon bed apparently in great pain.
In my youth had studied medicine, and
was consequently we'll informed on such
matters. and / saw at once with quick
glance, that he was only feigning sick
ness. He started up somewhat angrily as
I entered, but 1 silenced him with mo-
ton of hand.
"Conrad Smithley, this is a desperate
game you are playing, but it will avail you
nothing -
''What do you mean ?" he exclaim-
ed, springing to his feet. his sickness all
gone.
II mean that the game up, and the
murderer of John Randolph is discov-
cred"
I AS had anticipated he sank into a
! chair. ard burying his face in his hands,
/ sobbed out: "Lost lost 7"
do you confess the murder, then ?"
Recovering himself little, he gasped,
"What proofs have your"
"Enongh to hang you. and nothing but
confession can procure YOU lighter
punishment then rapidly detailed to
him the circumstances which led me to
the conviction that he was John Ran
| do|ph g murderer-his threats his motives,
and finally the unmistakable evidence that
he had left of his presence at the murder
ed mans beside. The last link in the
chain completely overwhelmed him. He
was not an experienced criminal, and he
saw no hope of escape.
81 confess, he said, nov that conceal
ment is no longer of use."
took him at once into custody, and
soon had the satisfaction of seeing him
change places with Edgar Morton, who
was overjoyed at his release.
Conrad Smiley was tried for murder,
and, knowing that any defence would be
useless after his confession to me. pleaded
guilty, and threw himself upon the mercy
of the Court. which sentenced him to i'm
prisonment for life.
About year after, received an envel
ope containing an invitation to the we'd
ding of Cecile Randolph and Edgar Nor
ton. who lived long and happily together,
and never ceased thanking me that Edgar
was saved by hair.
THE REQUIREMENTS OF JOURNALISM.
journalism cannot be taken up as the
pastime of an idle hour, or as a special
means of gain, or as stepping stone to
other literary work, and made complete
success. It requires laborious appren-
ticashin a snecia1 skill the result of train