The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-11-12

found me lying senseless, and destined,
upon my recovery. TO be brought be,
fore the magistrate. A doctor was soon
procured, who testified to my innocence
$50 far as alcohol was concerned. Tho
energetic Priscilla, after placing me
safely in cab, gave the officers a BIT
OF her mind as to the discomforts under
which she had found me laboring She
then departed triumphantly with her
Unconscious charge, and lad him on
the bed he had so rashly quilted.
am grieved to be compelled to gath
er from her words that in spite Of the
indignation she displayed toward the
policemen, her estimate OF my condi-
tion was the same as theirs. She was
particularly grateful to tile doctor,
whom, fear, she looked upon as
clever, complaisant practitioner, who
had extrlcated gentleman from
scrape by well-timed but untruthful
explanation.
"But never know body stop in
sensible so long after it, Don't go
do it again, Master Gilbert" she con-
cluded. tf..
1 did not combat her suspicious.
Priscilla was scarcely the one to whom
j wished TO coniide the adventures Of
the night. BY far the simplest way
was to say nothing, to leave her to draw
her own, and perhaps not unnatural
conclusions.
81 won't do it again" said. "Now
get me some breakfast. Tea and toast
anything"
She went to do my bidding. 1t was
not that | was hungry. wanted to be
alone for few minutes to think--or
think as well as my aching head would
allow.
Irecalled everything that had hap.
pened since left the door of my house.
The eDtranced walk, the drunken guide,
tho song had heard, aud alterward
those horrible, eloquent sounds and
touches. Everything was clear and
connected up to the moment the opiate
was forced upon me; after that my
mind was blank. Priscilla's tale
showed me that during that blank !
must have been transported several
miles aud deposited in the thoroughlare
where 1 was found by the policeman.
/ saw through the crafty scheme. l
had been dropped, insensible, far away
from scene OF the crime at which | had
been present. How wild and improb-
able my tale would seem. Would any
one believe it'
Then | remembered my horror a,
what felt streaming over my hand as
lay pinned down upon the fallen man.
l called Priscilla.
Look" said, holding my right
hand toward her, "is it clean-was it
clean when you found me?"
"Clean-la, no, Master Gilbertr'
"What was on itp" lasked excitedly.
"All covered with mud, just AS II
you'd been dabbling in the gutter. The
first thing did when / got you home
was TO wash your poor hands and face.
hoped it would bring you round-it
generally does, you know"
"But my coat sleeve shirt sleeve.
The right-hand side. Ses II anything is
on them"
Priscilla laughed. "You haven't got
ne'er right-hand sleeve let They
were cut or torn of above tho elbow.
Your arm was naked.
Every scrap Of ofcircumstantial evidence
which would confirm my tale was van
ishing away. There would be nothing
to support II except the assertion OF a
blind man, who left his house in the
dead OF night, secretly, and who was
found, several hours afterward, miles
away, In such state that the guardians
Of the pu1lic morals were compelled to
take charge Of him.
Yet could not remain silent with the
knowledge of such crime weig hing on
my mind. The next day | had entirely
recovered from the effects OF the opiate,
and alter consideration sent for my
solicitor He was confidential friend.
and resolved to be guided by his ad-
vice. In very short time found II
was hopeless TO think of carrying con.
victon to his mind. He listened grave
! ly, giving vent to "Well. wellm 'Bless
my soulr" shocking" and other set
expressions of surprise, but knew he
was only humoring me, and looked upon
the whole thing as q delusion. have
no doubt that Priscilla had been talking
to him and telling him all she knew
His incredulity annoyed me, so told
him, testify, should say no more about
the affair.
"Well, I wouldn't II | were YOU" he
said.
"You don't believe meP'
al believe you are saying what you
think Is true; but II you ask me, my
opinion Is that you walked in your sleep
and dreamed all this"
Too cross to argue with him, | took
his advice, so far rs he was concerned.
and said no more about. 1t. Afterward
tired another friend with a similar re-
suit II those who had known me from
childhood would not believe me, how
could | expect strangers TO do SOP
Everything | had to reveal was so
vague and unsupported. l could not
even fix upon the spot where the crime
was committed. l had ascertained that
no house in Walpole street could be
opened by key similar to mine. There
was no other street OF that name any
where near. My friend with the unsteady
feet must have misunderstood me and
conducted me TO another row of ho ses.
thought, at one time. OF advertising
and asking him to communicate with
me. but could not word request
which should be Ineligible to him,
without perchauce, exciting the sus-
q a ..- =