The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-27
'poTHEOARY's FOLLY.

The country town Of Twentyiord was,
early in the century, the scene OF the spas
modic effort OF local patriotism, which
produced the "Folly," building which,
perhaps, only owes its survival to the
need OF historic fact to mark that such
patriotism ever existed.
A wealthy apothecary, being pursuaded
that certain spring in the neighborhood
contained all the principal ingredients Of
the pharmacopnia, built bath-house on
scale that should have proclaimed TO far
and near the natural attractions Of Twenty
ford. Having done 30 he slept with his
fathers, and his heirs and assigns we're
left to discover that 1t takes other ingredi-
ents besides those Of q chemical nature TO
assure the reputation OF spa.
The apothecary had travelled, and in so
doing had acquired taste for Moorish
:, sTcf..cct1re. The bath-house profted by
many a minaret. But he was also OF fru-
gal mind, and having launched out in an
unwonted indulgence OF his favorite tastes
IN design, IL became necessary 10 steer his
course somewhat different in the matter OF
the intended material. which he changed
from stone TO wood, painted a dull red for
the sake Of ''rich and quiet effect" The
result did not appeal as II might have done
TO the minds Of the inhabitants, who I'M
gratefully styled ii "Pothecary's Folly"
That solitary bath-house, however, was
10 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 brew
ing in the air lent an additionally hospita.
BILE and comfortable feeling 10 our usually
comfortable country on the morning in
question, which rose, as like its fellows rs
nature could make II, when Twentyford
awoke, hearing a rumor pricked its ears,
rubbed its eyes, and listening again, dis
covered that shabby and unobstrusive
French woman had been murdered in one
OF the bathrooms OF the Folly"
She was a sort OF amateur commercial
tIaveler who sold French flowers TO shops.
and had passed the previous night at a
small inn in the town. She had been
heard 10 complain OF 'le rheumatism"
being, us the landlady said, "about the
only Christian thing she had said"
But she had proceeded 10 cure her all
ment by bath in the saline spring, an act
which the worthy landady would by no
means havca approved. Perhaps IL was the
commercial failure and general neglect by
the great world OF the "Folly," which had
brought the springs into such discredit
that every inhabitant who respected him
self would have endured the racking and
twinging OF every joint rather than have
recourse TO the baths. Perhaps so, greater
minds are influenced by like conditions
NgAnyhow, the woman died-what else
cou,d one expect" Ny aunt and |, quiet
folks as a rule, even for Twentyford, were
mixed up In IL, In 30 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 around, and (how they came TO
be there at that moment no one knows }
with something or somebody between
them, and were told that wo should
receive subpoena as witnesses.
To ily aunt this information
was full Of terror. "My dear" she said,
81 shall never forget how yourpoor uncle's
nerves were upset by the unprincipled
young counsel who examined him about
that most disagreeablc soap boiling busl-
ness. He said--your poor uncle. mean
That we were inundated by bluebottles'
from the horrid smelling works. and they
asked him II he was quite sure II was not
! black bottles or brandy bottles he meant,
4 and, II so, wherein they differed from a
bluebotte? Disgraceful treatment II was,
and what we had suffered from those In
sects no one knows / think, Ellice, we
will Just turn into Slatter's for that pink
ribbon / wanted; we may perhaps hear
what really has happened"
Mr.. Slater said THE prisoner was Q
young lady Of 'prcpoesessing appearance;
u was thought by one Of his young ladies,
that perhaps the prisoner was a flower
harris" too, and that perhaps professional
Jealousy afforded a motive for the crime,
but the opinion did not find favor; the
"young lady" ranked professional real nj
dramatically high figure.
We gathered ut last that the police had
taken her up because there was no on,
else they could take up-a very sufficient
reason; that Is 10 say, no one whom they
had not known from a baby" and wer,
therefore able to-vouch for anything they
N.lmighl do or say, In reason Of course
s.gcttin' bit lively Saturday nights, burn
Ing ricks, breaking into shops, etc, "bu
ithis ere din't reasonable" The police
E we're probably right; they had not imagna
zion enough for the kind OF crime.
4 The police had been summoned, In
stantly, too, Il appeared, by the cries o
the attendant" who, unaccustomed 4
DUTY In that capacity. had returned-sooi
after admitting the murdered woman q
the bathroom the washtub. which
habitually claimed her attention In he
own cottage.
4 .Astonished at the silence which grccie'
4 the application Of her ear 10 the keyh. u
shc opened the door, which was guiltlcs
OF lock or bolt, and found the uniortunat
woman living on the floor with her throa
cut and n queer, big kind Of knife lynn
beside Der. and all her rattle traps, AM
f them big red and yellow flowers out Of he
pack all strcwn about. lori bless ye. the.
did naticr the material flowers, they wen
81 that beautiful; thinks 10 myself shey'
Killed herself, sure, but the perlice ough
90 sce TO II, 10 oilers and screams Will
MI my might, and ye knows the rest
Miss -"
"Aunt," said on my return from walk
ing on tho afternoon OF that day, "ho'
can We give witness against this uniortu
nate young crcature3 would M soo
suspect myself. have seen her."
lyon, howf"
"Only passing glimpse In close ny
thoy wcro taking her 10 w--jai Bu
The face ! saw was terribly sad, with
scared look In Il, and no wonder, but n
trace of violent passion or mean cruelty
was delicate, even beautiful young facs
4 very pure In outline and very pale"
'she was apprebended hide way fror
Tho garden door Of the bath-house, 20
say ~