The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-12-08
PROOF OF THE MURDER

my hands. A man was supposed to hav
been foully murdered. He was traveller
who had stopped at an inn in lionel
country place, and was there said to hay
been murdered for his money. The land
lord was held to be the guilty party, thougl
there was nothing but suspicion and hi
previous bad name to fasten It upon him
This much I was told by my chief whel
he placed the matter in my hands. II,
had learned this, and nothing more, from
those who had come to employ some one t.
investigate the mystery. l was told to g
and do my beat, and I went.
Invent first to the individuals by whom
I was employed, and OF them learned all
could Of the particulars Of the affair. Thil
did not take me long, for they were few
indeed.
An inn, standing in IN isolated spot, ii
tho midst Of forest, had long borne al
evil name. There were many dark whig
pers concerning II, and more than one be
lated traveller was supposed to have los
his life there.
A few days beforea traveller had stopped
there for the night, and was not known t.
have gone away again. More than that
the landlord drove new horse which
some were ready 10 swear was the one tn.
traveller had ridden, changed only by {
few Jockey tricks.
My duty was to endeavor to find out tn,
truth OF the matter, il possible. l! woulc
never do for me to go there with my cali
ing known, as 1t would be sure TO deiea
all. But there was no need OF that. l wa
40 novice in my profession, and had all ii
tricks at heart. l would play the part OF q
tourist, in search OF some quiet spot wher'
| could spend few days in rural enjoy
ment. With everything perfected in TIT
character l was to play, was on the poin
of setting out, when another party appear
ed upon the scene.
1t was the brother OF the missing man.
He had not returned at the time ex
pected, and nig friends were anxious fo
his safety. His widest fears we're aroused
when he learned all. He declared that hI
would 20 to the inn at once in company
with nae. But this knew would never do
His anxiety would ruin all. His manner
could not help putting the guilty ones a
once on their guard. So / prevailed upor
him to stay behind, promising him to re
port progress from time TO time.
With matters thus arranged, set out fol
the inn. went on horseback as the sup
poeed murdered man had done. coulc
not help thinking, as l rode along, thai
perhaps the landlord might try bis hant
upon me; for to all appearances ! was {
very quiet, inofiensive looking traveller. Blu
wss well armed, and ready for him SHOULD
he attempt anything Of the kind.
Arriving at the inn, the landlord received
me in person. No sooner did my eyes fall
upon his countenance than l decided q
once be was q villain. A more sinister
looking face l don't think | ever beheld
The name on the creaking sign was sau
Farman.
stated my wishes to him, and was tolC
that the house and all 1t contained was q
my disposal. He would do the best for mi
that he could. So a bargain was struck
and was soon domiciled in my quarters
Then went quietly about my Grand.
There was no positive proof yet that thu
missing man was dead. Still, in my owl
mind, there was no doubt. Twas sure tina
| had seen very many OF his effects. Hit
brother had described them too minutell
| for mo to be mistaken. Thus day afser da!
went on. had no fears at all for my owr
safety now. I had given him to under
stan ! that was the pastor Of q church whit
mad been granted leave OF absence to re
cruit my health. II he believed this ht
knew well that was not game worth tn,
powder. Such class are not supposed L
have a great amount Of ready money abou
them.
one day, the brother, impatient at no
hearing from me, came 10 the inn to max
discoveries for himself. ! was alarmed a
his appearance, for l was afraid IL woult
spoil all. Before he could do any mlschiei
determined to get him out Of the way, a
I was afraid he would excite the landlord
suspicious, and therefore suggested that W
should 20 out shooting. To this he agreed
for he wished to see me alone, where Their
would be no chance OF our being over
heard. :,
me landlord provided US with two old
fashioned guns and we departed, takin
our way toward the river, which ran som
half a mile from the house. Arriving upoi
it's bank, we sat down to have consul.a
ton as to what was best to be done. ! de
scribed infinitely TO him what discoveries
had made, and he was for arresting him a
once. But TO this I Of jected. There Wa
no positive proof yet OF mis- brothers death
More evidence, II possible, must be oh
tanned. I did not believe that jury woult
convict him on the evidence l had got.
While thus lszily discussing the matter
CHANGED to glance across the stream, ant
hehelda rabbit standing on the opposit
bank. At sight Of 1t l remembered tn
ostensible object on which l had come, AM
raising the gun discharged 1t in that di
rection. don't know whether the rabbi
was harmed or not, but the piece kicker
la that It sent me upon my back. To thi
day I don't know but what the laudlor
meant to kill me, by putting in so tremer
dous q charge. My companion laughed 9
me as I tried 10 scramble to my feet
:!!.Your gun kills both ways" he said.
81 am sure 1t does one way" ! answer
ed. "But the rabbit, perhaps, Is not 6
much hurt as l am"
As i spoke, we both glanced over h
river to see II we could see anything Of OF
game; and there we saw a sight that sha
never forget TO my dying day. The dar
waters Of the river seemed agitated in
strange manner, as though something b.
meath them was trying to reach the suriac
In moment more they parted, and h
man face was thrust up. II wss bloate
and distorted by the long time II had n
manned in the water. My companion gay
a cry that thrilled me through.
"My brother my brother!"
Here was, indeed, Q proof Of the murde
The terrific discharge OF the old gun hs
brought the body Of the murdered man
the surface, and gave the last link Of u
For only q few minutes did the body !
main atatinnAry, and then Il slowly aat