The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-12-27
A PHONOGRAPH,s EVIDENCE.
It Clears the Inventors Son from a
Charge Of NJ urder.


qualntances some of his dscoverier
would not be disowned by Edison, an,
since the death of his wife, which oc
Cured three years ago, he had given hi
entire attention to the completion of al
invention, the nature of which was
profound mystery even to hrs neares
relatives,
However, continued close cOntinemen
in the laboratory lately began to tell oil
bis constitution to such an alarming ex
tent that a trusted old servant namet
Watkins, who had spent the greater par
of his life in the employ of the Cunliff,
family, wrote secretly to his son anC
brother informing them of the scientist
condition, and suggesting that thei
presence IN Manchester might be neces
sary.
Laurence Cunliffe, Suart's JUNO
brother. lived in the neighborhood o
London, but was not on speaking term
with his nephew.
After receiving Watkins letter, how
ever, he resolved to visit the scentis
who had 50 neglected his religion
duties, hoping that he might pOssibl.
find an opportunity during his illness t.
convert hun.
By most of he mhers of his congre
CATION Laurence Cunllffe was considered
a religious enthusiast. But of late h
had become 50 Intolerant in his views
and at times upheld such ex ravagan
theories, that some of his more discern
mating friends began to su pect that hi
mind had been affected.
Meanwhile Reginald had reached hi
fathers mansion. With the exception
of Watkins, the servants had retired t
their rooms, situated in an adjoining
building mex to the stables.
Although very feeble, Mr. Stuart Gun
fife had disobayed his doctors strict IN
| functions and was closeted in his labora
try, situated on the ground floor.
After dismissing the faithful old at
endant, who was worn out with fatigu
and with watching over his obstinate
master, Reginald hastened to meet hi
father. He received, MS usual. a cOrdia
greeting; but the old man was nervous
aeitated and his whole frame tremblet
with excitement.
In answer to his sons entreatits to re
tire t, his room and take much needed
rest, he xclAimed
Eyes ! Ytp ! will; | promise yO1
l will But later-not now wish Il
sye il, hear It ! Oh, Reginald this !
the happiest day Of my life have sue
cteded at last L. is such an improve
ment on e lison's system. Look ! ther
1t stands ready to sp ak and repPa
clearly every word we utter ! Come. IN
boy you shall be the first to witnes
your fathers victory y
AS he spoke these words the invento
staggered across the room, then fe
heavily TO the ground.
Reginald had never taken the slightrs
interest In his fathers or other men
inventions; his ind ference on the sui
ject now positively turned TO hatred
when he raised the emac ated fort
which lay senseless at his feet.
Had his hands been free he woul
have pitched out of the window thu
mysterious little box, over which h
father had spcr fi7ed his health, il nj
his life. Luckily he had some brand
in flask, which he had purchased I
: the railway station before he left L0l
don. Under the effect Of the stimulal
Mr.. Cunlffe grad Jally revived. Il
tried to reassure his his son by inform
: ing him that he had been subject
fsintiDg fits for some time, and thu
there need be no cause for alarm. Reg
nald insisted that he retire to his room
but the old man was obdurate, and pr
ferred sitting an hour or two in his la
Oratory.
Seeing that entreaties as well as {.
postulations were of no avail Regina
decided to send for The family physician
He called for Watkins. but it wou
have taken more than the human volt
1 to arouse the old attendant from h
slumbers. So,seizing his hat, he rusht
out of the house and started at rap
pace in search of the doctor. fOrgettlr
in his excitement that he would have
walk several miles before reaching h
s dwelling,
No sooner had he departed than Il
inventor dragged himself toward Il
hox whiuh had aroused RegiDald's al
ger. After carefully opening it he bowt
! his head and bent his lips toward it.
: No lover ever spoke in more endearir
terms TO hi4 mistress than that old ms
used to the mysterious apparatus. Su
| denly he started. He felt instructive
| that some one was behind him. Turl
! ing around he bebeld the figure of
man. The glaring eyes and lurid e.
/ preston of the intruder's countenan
At first sent thrill Of terror through b
entire frame. The features, howeve
were fsmiliar enough, for Lauren
Cunliffe stood before him.
How you startled me + eiaculat
Stuart. "Why, my dear brother. VIII
did you arriveS Who let you in y
81 found the front door open." cold
! answered Lawrence. II see that ha
8 come none too soon to save you fro
n everlasting damnalion. All your
II called inventions were prompted by I
H evil spirit. Come. Away with all the
findi-h implements ? They belong
y Satan, who is trying to win your soul
4 Then grabbing a box of tools, via
= electric wires-in short, whatever
= could lay his hands ou-he hurled the
out of the window one after the 9th,
His brother tried to intercede, but Il
infuris ted him all the more.
VI "On your knees y yelled Lauren,
GLORY be to God Pray, you miseral
n sinner ! an here to saVe you from
y DEVILS grip HallelUjth = He v
5, then in paroxysm of rage. HIS bo
ID fairly shook and his mouth frothed.
n, rWhat ia that you are holding y
9 fairly shouted. "Ht ha see
>, devils casket Give II to me, ] say.
Y you bear me 2 Give it to me ] mi
" have il will have it
"N'. no Take all take everythiI
but not this T. implored Stuart, stru
n. Cling for its possession.
ca LIT GO, say Will you let go +?
al tell you III have l., or I'll have yc
y life r
Weak and exhausted as he was,
Stuart held on to the box. which
seemed to value more than his life.
Infuriated at this unexpected resi-
ance. Laurence struck him on the he
with the loaded cane. The violence
the blow was so great that Stuart rel
euished biz hold, and, dropping on
knees, exclaimed
Laurence l-bI other i-haye nero
Would you kill me Oh, heaven T.
But Laurence did not heed his pitt
i cries. The sight Of the blood which v
I flowing from his brothers wound ol
4 increased his rage.
4 Kill you p he shrieked. Yes
kill you, you miserable sinner GloT
Halleluj th Satan shell not have "
soul l"-dealing blow after blow III
I'll A..