Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-05-21

written by the curious scribe, but the
old man could not haye entirely sever
ed his own head from his body, and,
even could he have done so, he could
not have placed 1t on the stone. Why
any one should haye murdered him no
one could conceive. Expert detectives
came and spent days in looking for
clue. but went away puzzled. Squire
Duval declared that the old man had
been aided by bad spirit, in the execu-
tion of the bloody design, yet this,
while it may have found ready support
ers among people who believed In su-
pernatural agencies, was ridiculed by
the Coroner and laughed at by the ju-
ry.
Some time previous to the arrival of
the old man, had incurred the mortal
enmity of fellow named Givens.
This soulless wretch, hiding his time,
swore out warrant for my arrest,
charging me with the murder of the
curious scribe. or course was indig-
nant, but soon saw that the people
paid but little attention to my protest
of innocence. I was arraigned for ex.
animation before Justice of the
Peace. had Squire Duval and the
man with whom I boarded, introduced
as witnesses. The 'Squire's testimony
amounted to nothing, but the testimo-
ny of my landlord made my blood run
cold.
"Mr. Buck went TO bed at the usual
hour" said he, shut about midnigh. he
got up and went out. When he came
back. which he did after some time, /
heard him washing his hands, and at
morning when I went to the wash
shelf On the porch saw blood stains
in the DO ttom of the bowl.
The truth is, unable to sleep had
gotten up. / went ont, lighted my pipe
and walked around, smoking. A / was
returning to the house, | came In con-
tact with the end of rail which pro-
jected over the fence. forcing few
drops of blood from my nose.
When l made the statement, the peo-
pie looked suspiciously at me. My
lawyer made an able speech, dwelling
on the fact that had nothing against
him and although had known him
to be something of materialist, yet
supported the 'Squire's opinion inso-
much that as the old man had unques-
tionably written the note, he might
have cut off his own head.
The magistrate decided that the evil
dence was sufficiently strong to justify
my detention, and, as the case was not
bailable was taken to Jail. l had
great hopes that the grand jury would
fail to return an indictment, but was
disappointed. When it became known
that the charge against me was sus.
tanned by the gentlemen In secret sess-
sion, a mob assembled and it was with
great difficulty that the sheriff could
keep me from the clutches Of the YELL
ing avengers.
One morning, just before the meeting
of tue court before which I was to be
tried, the sheriff entered the Jail and
said
"Mr. Buck, you are free. Read this
letter. 1t was written by crazy man,
well known in this community, and was
addressed to the circuit judge"
The surprise was so gladdening
thought of regaining my liberty and
oLce more taking my place among re-
spected men, filled me with such de-
sire to throw up my hat that it was
with difficulty that I could repress my
exultation long enough to read the let
ter. The document which effected my
liberation ran as follows:
"Judge. while no one is bothering
me, and while sit alone in my room,
number 102 left wing, l will drop you
few lines. We used to 90 to school
together didn't we, judge ? Well,
some time ago-I don't know how long
for sometimes it seems ten years nd
then ten minutes-I slipped away from
the asylum. They had given me the
privilege Of walking ont. I got on a
train, and went up to your town. 1t
was night and nobody saw me. After
l had walked around awhile, l got down
on my knees and Tapped water out of a
puddle. Yes, I did. I saw light in a
house and I went in. An old man
with white hair was in tbs house. 1t
tickled me to look at him. While we
were talking, funny idea occurred to
me Suppose the people were to come
here in the morning and find that old
mans head on the rock table, what
would they say ? 1t would puzzle 'em
il he was to leave a note saying that he
had cut off his head and put it there.
1 could put his head there and write
the note, but the people might know
his handwriting and detect the forgery.