Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-01-02

door ceased suddenly. and the mex. In
slant the Squire's hearty voice Wa
heard.
:. Let me in, Honor! What is wrong.
chiid?"
Ibid let him in, and his wife, and
several alarmed-looAing servants who
followed after.
We instantly began to look for the
thief, but-mystery of mysteries-he
had disappeared.
That terrible man with the black
hair and white lock over his forehead
had vanished as completely as though
he had never been.
Except for the marks he had made
with his feet on the old oak door there
was not trace Of his existence.
| believe the servants doubted that
he had ever been, and only thought
that the young lady who was foolish
enough 10 sleep in the tapestry cham
her had been visited by new form OF
the ghost. BE that rs il NAV. we never
got q clcw TO where or how the man
had vanished.
Ten years later was again on visit
not sleep in the tapestry room
now occupied most cheerful.
modern and unghoSt-likc room and
but for one circumstance my visit
would have been thoroughly uure-
markahle.
This WAS the circumstance which
seems in wonderful way to point
moral TO my curious tale. | paid my
vi>itto the tlitfords during sle aSSizeS.
Squire Clifford. rs one Of the most in
tluGntlal county magnates, was ncceS-
sarily much occupied with his magiS-
terial duties during this time Every
morning he Went early into Lewis. tho
town where the aSSizeS were held. Onc
morning lie told us of ease which in
terestcd him.
"Hc is 4 hardened villain. he said;
Tho has again and again boon brought
before me, bu; he has never yet been
convicted lie i unqueStionablv
thief; indeed, one of the most mo-
toriouS characters in tho place; but
he is such a slippery dog no jury has
Yet found him guilty. Well. he ) to hs
tried again to-day. and do hope w
shall Rave some luck with HIM this
time.
The Squire went away. and ii came
into his wifes head and mine 10 pay
a visit To the court and see for our
selves the prisoner in whom he was in
tcrested.
No sooner said thau'done We drove
into Lewis, and presently found our
selves in the large and crowded huiid-
ing. When we entered the case under
discussion had not commenced. but
moment after a fresh prisoner was ush-
cred into the dock.
What was the matter with me-
found my sight growing dim, | found
myself bending forward and pccring
hard. The memory of an old terror
came back, and the sensation of
couple of hours ot mortal agony re
turned TO me again. Who was i'll the
prisoner dock? knew the man. llo
WAS my guest of the tapestry chamber
of ten years ago.
There he stood surly. Indifferent, with
his vast breadth and height, his raven
black hair, and that peculiar white lock
flung back from his brow lie did not
glance NJ any one, blt kept his eyes on
the ground.
N'NA'A 'Ai1 N'AAstili lily N'lit WI s~Ah
everything but my sense OF discovery. |
started t. my fee and spoke;
4 =" Mr.. Clifford, | know that man; he
was in my room ten years ago. noNou
4 remember the night when | got the ter
ribc fright in the tapestry chamber in
I your house? There is the man who
4 frightened me. | could never forget his
face There he stands
| Whatever effects my words had ON the
4 Squire and Judge. there is no doubt IL
all of their remarkable significance to
/ the prisoner. His indifference left him;
he stared with w.de-open and terrified
| eyes nj me. 1t was plain that il | rec
| ognized him, he also recognized me.
All his bravado left him; he muttcred
something. his face blanched, then sud
denly he fell on his knees and covered 1t
with his hands
My evidence was remarkable and con
elusive; and that day, Tor the first time,
/ Hercules Armstrong was committed to
prison. He had long been the terror
of the ncighborhood, and no one regret
ted the just punishment which had fall
en- on him. What his subsequent ca
reer may be know not; this is the pres
ent end of a strange and perfectly truo
story. CdSSc5FS Maya IN.
| g.