The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-03-23

look" He drew a newspaper from his
pocket and pointed to something in it. On
prentence of looking at it, Mr.. Waffles
drew him into the parlor, where she saw
that it was morning paper, which he had
somehow got hold of, q d that he was point
ing to the report of the first days proceed
ings in the trial of the Rev. Alfred Stuckey
at the Old Bailey. As she read the passage
over to humor him. the old man kept on re-
peating: My son Alfred--murder mel-no,
no-not Alfred. Mustn't hang Alfredo
Now in the parlor sat Mrs. Watiies' hus-
band taking his breakfast for he was a
compOSitor i'll the office of Il daily paper,
and late riser. MIR. Bids utterance made
deep impression on Mr.. WaffieS. He was
man of considerable intelligence, and,
moreover, knew all the facts in the Stuckey
case by heart, having been engaged on the
previous day in setting up in type report
of TIE trial
He's got some delusion in his head about
this trial. said Mrs Waffles.
mot SO sure about that, replied her hus-
band. He never had one before. Ask him
what he wants to do"
Mrs. Wafties lid so. Mr.. Bib smiled fee
bly,, and said: Going to see Alfred-mustnt
hang my son Alfred"
What is your name, STRIP asked Mr..
WaffleS in a loud tone.
''Stuckey. Martin Stuckey," was the
prompt response
Precious rum delusionp' observed Mr.
Wafties Look here, Mr.. Stuckey, how
did you come herew
The old man passed his hand across his
forehead aud looked help essly about him.
My son Alfred he said. then paused and
shook his head Presently he went on in a
rambling fashion; event out with Alfred
-Ephraim changed my clothes-close by
the river-Eohraim pushed me into train
no. not Mustn't hang Alfredo
There's something in this said MIR.
Waffles, decisively. "He couldn't have got
all this out of the newspaper. How do we
know that this old boy isn't Martin Stuckey,
as he saysi He was brought here on the very
night Martin Stuckey disappeared. He had
nothing about him to show his name, you
remember. Young Bib bought him new
linen and told you to mark it, Martin
Stuckey was weak in his head; so is he
The name of Martin Stuckey's second son
is Ephraim, and doesn't he call Bib Ephraim9
Put on your things, Sally, and come around
with me to the toIllce They will have a
description of old Stuckey, and will very
soon tell us what to do Look sharpl They
may be sentencing that poor devil to death
this minute"
1t was more than usually painful mo-
ment when the jury gave their verdict.
Close under the dock sat the white-haired
rector of Alfred Stuckey's parish, who had
stood by his curate with touching faith,
and whose daughter was reported to be en-
& ged to the prisoner. He rose as the YER
dict was given, as though to comfort the
unhappy man in the box. just beside him
was Ephraim Stuckey, who had been one
of the principal witnesses against his
brother, His position, and the emotion he
displayed while giving his evidence, excited
much commisseration. He had grown
deadly pale when the jury returned, and
when the verdict was given he buried his
face in his hands.
The Judge, in his usual form, asked the
prisoner whether he had anything to say
At that moment there was some stir and
confusion in the well of the court, two or
three persons, escorted by a policeman,
pushing their way toward the solicitor for
the defense. The prisoner saw them and a
great change came over his face.
''Only this, my lord" he said, pointing to
where Mr.. Bib stood between Mr.. and Mrs.
Waff1es, 'that there stands Martin Stuckey,
my father, whom | am accused OF murder
ing"
At the next session of the Central Crimi-
nal Court another member of the Stuckey
family stood in the dock. 1t was Ephraim
this time, and he was indicted for perjury
and for attempting TO obtain money from
the Monument Assurance Company by false
pretenses He was found guilty on both
indictments and sentenced to seven years
penal servitude for the first ofense and five
years for the second, the Judge observing
that if he had the power to pass heavier
sentence he should have been pleased to ex-
ercise it. In this most people thought that
his lordship was right.