The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-06-30
'POTHECARY'S FOLLY.
Tho Clergyman's Satisfactory So
luton OF a Strange Case.

luton OF a Strange Case.
The country town of Twentyford was earl,
In the century the scene of the spasmodic ef
fort of local patriotism, which produced tn
"Folly," building which, perhaps, onl
owes it survival to the need of a historic
fact to mark that such patriotism ever ex
listed.
A wealthy apothecary, being persuade,
that certain spring in the neighborhoo,
contained all the principal ingredients of TIN
pharmacopoeia, built house on q scal
that should have proclaimed to far and nea
the natural attractions of Twentyford. Hav
ing done so he slept with his fathers ant
his heirs and assigns were left to discover
that it takes other ingredients besides thos,
OF chemical nature to assure the reputation
of spa.
The apothecary had Travelled, and in so do
ing had acquired taste for Moorish archi
lecture. The bath-house protited by man,
minaret. But lie was also of fruga
mind, and having launched out in an I'M
wonted indulgence of his favorite tastes in
design, it became necessary to steer his
course somewhat differently in the matter
of the intended material which he changed
from stone to wood, painted dull red 70,
the sake of a ''rich and quiet effect.n The
result did not appeal as it might have done
to the minds of the inhabitants who up
gratefully styled it "'Pothecary's Folly"
That solitary bath-house, however, was tc
become the scene of one strange event in
the commonplace history of the town.
The cider apples were red on the trees
the hop gatherers singing in their loaded
WAGONS, and wholesome smell of brewing
in the air lent an additional hosptable and
comfortable feeling to our usually comfort.
able county on the morning in question.
which rose, as like its fellows as nature
could make it, when Twentyford awolke.
hearing a rumor, pricked its ears, rubbed its
eyes and listening again discovered that a
shabby and unobtrusive Frenchwoman had
been murdered in one of the bathrooms of
the "Folly."
She was sort of amateur commercial
Naveler who sold French flowers to shops
and had passed the previous night at small
INN in the town. She had been heard to
complain Of 'le rheumatism" being, as the
landlady said, ''about the only Christian
thing she had said"
But she had proceeded to cure her ailmont
by bath in the saline spring, an act which
the worthy landlady would by no means
have approved. Perhaps it was tho com
mcrclal failure and general neglect by the
great world OF the "Folly," which had
brought the springs into such discredit that
every inhabitant who respected himself
would have endured the racking and twiug-
ang Of every joint rather than have recourse
10 the baths. Perhaps so; greater minds are
influenced by like considerations. ssAny-
now, the woman died-what else could one
expect" Ny aunt and |, quiet folks as n
rule, even for Twenty ford, were mixed IN
In 1t, in so far as there was but the length
OF Pear street between us when the prisoner
was apprehended. We saw but the backs
OF the only two policemen for miles round
and (how they came to be there at that mo.
ment no one knowsD with something or
somebody between them, and were told that
we should receive subpoena as witnesses
10 my aunt this information was full of
Terror "My dear" she said, 81 shall never
forget how your poor uncle's nerves were
upset by the unprincipled young counsel
who examined him about that most disa-
greeable soap boiling business. He said
your poor uncle, mean--that we were in
undated by 'bluebottles' from the horrid.
smelling works, and they asked him If he
was quite sure 1t was not black bottles or
brandy bottles he meant, and, if so, Wherein
they differed from bluebottlea Disgrace.
ful treatment it was, and what we had suf
fered from those insects no one kuowsi 7
think Ellice we will just turn into Slatter,s
Tor that pink ribbon wanted; we NAV per.
haps hear what really has happened"
MI. Slater said ''the prisoner was voupg
lady of 'prepossessing appearance il was
thought, by one of his young ladies. that
perhaps the prisoner was flower hartist.
too, and that perhaps professional jealousy
afforded motive for the crime,'" but the
opinion did not find favor; the ''young ladvn
ranked professional zeal at a romanticai,v
high figure.
We gathered at last that the police had
taken her up because there was no one else
they could take up-a very sufficient reason
chat Is to say, no one whom they had NOT
@known from baby" and were therefore
ablc to vouch for any thing they might do
or say In reason of course; s'Cettin, a hit
lively Saturd ynights, burning ricks, break.
ing into shops" ETC., ''but this ERE ain,t
reasonable" The police were probably
right; they Ind not imagination enough for
the kind of crime.
The police had been summoned, INSTANTLY
too, II appeared, by the cries of the '.attend.
ant" who, unaccustomed TO duty in that
capacity, had returned-soon after admittinp
..io n.uoorcu woman 10 the bath-rOom-
from the washtub, which habitually claimed
her attention in her own cottage.
Astonlshed at the silence which yrected
tho application Of her ear to the key-hole
she opened the door, which was guiltless of
LOCK or bolt, and found the unfortunate
woman lying on the floor with her throat
cut, and queer big kind of knife living
beside OF her, and all her rattle traps and
Them big red and yellow flowers out of her
PACK all strewn about lor! bless ye. thew
1id Halter the natural flowers, they wer Q
mat beautiful; thinks to myself sheye
xiiied herself sure, but the perlice ought to
Zee 70 II, SO oilers and screams with ali
ny might, and ye knows the rest, Mlss--u
Aunt" said, on my return from walk-
Ag on the afternoon OF that day, show can
We give witness against this unfortunate
1suny creatures / would as soon suspect
, sell have seen her."
"You, howl"
'only passing glimpse in a close fly;
hoy were taking her TO W iail. But
10 face ! saw was terribly sad, with
cared look In 1t, and no wonder; but no
race OF violent passion or mean cruelty; II
sn =. ieIi, ate, even beautiful young face.
iery y lre IN outline, and very palen
ssoh6 Wus aDDrehondad "A littla xuax, f,o,,,