The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-05-09
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A MEAN REVENGE.

As it is now no longer doubtful that to-
morrow l must pay with my life the last
penalty of the law, I am moved in justice
to myself to place on record simple state
meDt of the circumstances which have
brought me to so lamentable a pass. l
shall endeavor to write only that which is
in entire accordance with truth, setting
down the facts without prejudice or favor :;
and it will then, [ think, be clear to all
that, whatever my misdeeds-or as | should
prefer to call them, my errors of judgment
have been, | am wholly innocent of the
horrible crime imputed to me.
l am, or perhaps | ought to say | was, a
gentlemen of Independent means, with a
strong love for the study of chemistry.
The better to crafty this | recently caused
to be erected at the rear of my house,
which stands apart from the road in its
own grounds, a commodious laboratory.
This [ had furnished with every appliance
which modern science could require, and
there it has been my custom to pass, undis-
turbed, the greater part of each day.
Although of cheerful and gentle dispo-
sition, have never courted society fact
which has earned for me, most unwarrant-
ably, be it said, the reputation of possess
ing a churlish and cynical nature. My
household comprises only myself and an
old man who acts in the treble capacity of
cook, chambermaid, and butler; and SO
simple are my habits that it would be hard
to find, except perhaps in my own sitting
and sleeping apartments, any article even
suggestive Of luxury or ease. need only
add here, for the proper comprehension of
what follows, that the laboratory of which
[ have spoken is connected by short COW
cred passage with the library in which [
generally spend my evenings either in study
or meditating some Of those deep problems
which engage my attention.
I am no man of business, and with a
view to do kindln turn to one of my fel-
low-creatures, and in less degree to save
myself trouble, I placed my affairs few
years ago in the hands of Mr.. Sugg, a
solicitor of some standing, depositing with
him all my shares and stocks, and receiving
as it fell due, the interest accruing on each.
For some time the arrangement worked
admirably. I am the least suspicious OF
mortals, and certainly it would never have
occurred to me to doubt the probity of Mr..
Sugg, from whom, moreover, had exacted
a substantial guarantee sufficient to cover
the value of the securities intrusted to him.
Great, accordingly, was my regret to learn
that the confidence I had put in that gentle
man was wholly misplaced.
The truth reached me from an old ac-
quaintance, director of company in which
had considerable interest. 1t appeared
that in the usual course a certificate OF
transfer had been presented to him for sig
nature. The circumstances would proba-
bly, have passed unnoticed but for the fact
that these were founders shares of which
only a limited number existed Prompted
by curiosity, my friend made inquiry as to
the original holders name, and discovered
to his surprise that it was mine. Without
loss of time he wrote, asking if | had any
objection to state my reason for parting
with what was really irst-class property
I replied briefly that my motives were
sufficient, and by the same post dispatched
note to Mr. Sugg, begging that he would
call and bring with him the stock in ques
ton. At the moment l was occupied
with an experiment which could best be
carried out in daylight [ offered this as
an excuse for asking him to come after
office hours.
Two days later he made his appearance
[ had dined at five, somewhat earlier than
usual, but Joseph, the servant, had request
ed leave of absence for an hour or two IL
the evening, a demand which, with my
never-failing considerateness, l had at once
granted.
1t was striking seven as Mr.. Sugg knock,
cd at the door, which [ fastened to oper
in person. As preceded him to the study
[ explained the absence of my onl y domes
tic, and then, throwing myself into chair
begged him to be seated.
Ny solicitor was man of some fifty
years of age, of slight but wiry build, anc
in other respects rather ordinary looking
To this exception must be made in favol
of his eyes, which were small, gray in col
or, and extraordinarily sharp. The diff
Guilty one had in following the quick move
ments of these organs was increased b,
their owners habit of wearing colored spec
tacles; to which must be added a trick o
carrying a hand to his eyes as if to adjus
these glasses whenever disconcertin!
question was put to him. By such means
he was able to conceal the expression o
his face and at the same time to gain leis
ure in which to frame suitable reply
He had been recommended to me as ;
clever, if not overscrupulous, lawyer, bu
in engaging him had reckoned on having
these qualities on my side.
In order to disarm suspicion | Offered
him cigar and proceeded to chat upor
Indifferent topics. When quarter of al
hour had been consumed in this way sud
asked: