Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-09-12

NS MINUS = . Ivy
keys are here; this will save me all trouble I
in getting what I want. And now, au re-
Zone moment, Mr.. Sugg," I cried, as he
walked'towards the door; "before you go,
will you kindly put on some coals? Don't
night"
He replied with an irritating laugh. 81
told the truth, you see. But as the Goals
are your own don't grudge the expense"
After doing as I had requested he quilted
the room, leaving me a prey to a host of
doubts and evil forebodings.
l am not concerned to relate in what
was the mostuncomfortable I ever passed;
apart from the physical-if I may use the
word-discomfort of the position, I was
tormented with the thought that Mr.. Sugg
would not perform his part of the agree.
ment. The very idea sent a thrill of hor-
ror through my shadowy form.
My relief, therefore, was intense when a
little before six the door opened and my
body entered the ROOM 1t looked pale
and tired, but this did not surprise me, as
my habits are methodical, and nave al
ways shown to my w person the great
est consideration, even to over.indulgence.
As it sank YEARLY into the easy-chair, l
said:
swell, I hope you've arranged every
thing satisfactorilyw
"Quite," returned Mr.. Sugg; "and now,
sir, PM ready to change places with you
again. Your throat seems to have con-
tracted a slight hoarseness, probably from
nary care you'll soon get rid Of that"
"Thank you," 1 replied, "I'll see that it
has every attention." Scarcely were the
words uttered before l found myself,
somewhat to nay astonishment, reinstated
in my old position.
"Good-bye," said Mr.. Sugg's voice, from
the farther end of the room; II shan'5 for.
get your Kindness" And then, l suppose,
the key.hole, for 1 heard no more of him.
Irose and opened the shutters; it was
broad daylight, and 1 had not been to bed
yet. My legs acked with fatigue, and it
was with difficulty I kept my eyes open.
Hastily pencjling q line for Joseph, stat
ing that I bad BEEN obliged to work till an
disturbed, l mounted to my roonl, and,
quickly undressing, threw myself OH the
bed. Before two minutes had elapsed l
was sound asleep.
1t must have been nearly four in the
afternoon when I was awakened by u loud
knocking; so persistent was the noise that
Twas forced to acknowledge it. "Come
in" t shouted, wondering what could have
induced Joseph to disobey my instruc-
tions.
The door opened and that worthy ap-
peared on the threshold. "Well," I said,
angrily, "what is it"
ga gentleman, sir" he answered. "who
says he must see o at once"
'Oh, nonsense" I replied, ~ can't see
any one at present. Tell him to call again
tomorrow
Before Joseph could answerhe was rough.
ly put aside, and an officer in plain clothes,
followed by two policemen, entered the
room. So complete a disregard of the or
binary courtesies OF life fairly reused me.
I asked. Zone would think you were
come to arrest a thief or a murderer"
"You could not nave hit the mark nearer
if you'd tried" said the one who appeared
to be the chief of the party. But I warn
you that whatever you say will be taken
down and used against you."
"Used against me~ l repeated. SEX
plain yourself, SIR"
"Just this" he answered. "Early this
morning Mr.. Sugg the solicitors office was
entered and important papers stolen. At
ter committing the robbery the thief
passed to the housekeeper's room, and
there, in cold blood and without any
provocation strangled the poor old won
an. The evidence is pretty strong, sir, as
to who did it; so you'd better come along
quietly"
The blood frozs in my veins; l saw the
whole thing at a glance. This, then, was
Sugg's evenge. Not content with de-
stroying the documents he spoke of, he
had killed this unhappy being, and had
idence by which the crime could be
| brought home to me. Overwhelmed by
| the thought, l fell back in my bed more
dead then alive.
Let me acknowledge that the officers
treated me with every considera-
ton. There was, however, moth;
ing for it but to rise and
| sneak a work in my own defense.
I need not repeat here the particulars OF
nv trial, as these have already been made
public through the medium OF tile daily
! papers. The evidence against me me was
irresistible. Every step from the moment
| Of nny leaving the house up to that of my
returf was traced. Ihad been seen by tht
nisht policeman to quit Mr., Sugg's prem
ises about five in the morning, and had
even topped to say a few words to him
explanatory of nv presence there at sc
unusual an hour. More6ve,r, a child seven
wears old, who slept in the SAME room, had
actually been q witness to the murder and
testified to it's utter Wantonness. The md.
ing of Mr.. Sugg's keys in my pocket added
another link to the cSaln. In snort my
guilt was so plain that no one would have
been more surprised than myself had
been acquitted.
The one unexplained point in the case
was the disappearance OF Mr.. Sugg. But
as his affairs were found on investigation
to be hopelessly involved it was shrewdly
suspected that he had absconded.
have no complaint to make Of the man
ner in which my defense was conducted
The only plea possible to advance was, OF
course, that OF insanity. But even this
could not save me. I am myself per
| suadedi that, ever had it been capable Of
proof, the jury would have pronounced me
responsible rather than allow so danger
\ GUS a lunatic to remain alive.
Imay add that, when asked for instruc
| tions by my solicitor, I communicated te
him the foregoing facts just as l have stat
ed them here, and begged chat they nigh
be taken as a basis for my defense. IL
! this, however, lie absolutely refused to &C
| cede, and threatened to retire from thu
| case if l persisted in my request. Greatly
against my own Judgment. yielded to hi:
wish, but not until he had shown that tt
adopt the course I suggested would ensure
my condemnation on the capital charge o
killing Mr.. Sugg. ! certainly was not dis