Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-05-16

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had taken breakfast at the only hotel in
the place. He had stated that he was
looking for work as farm hand, and
after writing letter he had started
out on foot. taking road leading
northward to Kentsford, large town
on the Ohio River, about ten miles dis
t.nt. We thought it advisable to follow
the stranger; and having obtained a
thorough description of him, we mount
ed our horses and went forth at brisk
trot.
We feared that the object Of the
stranger in going to Kentford--in case
he was the real murderer-was to es-
cape from the county by taking passage
in boat either up or down the river
but on reaching that town about two
o'clock, we learned that no boat had
left since morning, and that none would
leave till three o'clock in the afternoon,
about which time one was expected to
stop at Kentsford, on its way to Cairo
and st. Louis.
Now said Mr.. Stetson, when we had
left our horses at the hotel, If we find
this man in town waiting for boat,we
shall be iustifable in arresting HIM on
suspicion. Don't you think so
YES. If he is here, ready to take
passage on board steamboat, so soon
after pretending to look for work as a
farmland, it will look very suspicious.
On visiting the levee, we found
dozen laborers handling bales, boxes
and sacks of grain but at first saw no
one answering the description of the
stranger who had passed through
Wilton. Descending to the waters
edge, however, we found our man. He
was sitting with his coat off, and bis
back against pile Of boxes that pro-
tected him from the strong rays Of the
sun, for it was rather hot. He was a
stout.built man Of thirty, with very
repulsive countenance.
stranger, will there be boat down
the river soon ? l asked.
Yes, so I'm told he replied.
Then you don't live here?
No. he replied, laconlcally, as if not
caring about conversing.
Are YOU gong down the river 2 l
asked
Yes, yes-that is I was thinking Of
it,
Did you come from Wilton p
lie started perceptibly, but said, d,with
affected carelessness:
Not THAT l know Of. l may have
done so without knowing its name
Yes, now that l think, l believe l did
pass through Wilton
There has becn fearful deed COM
mitted there!
'Ah! what was that?' he asked
somewhat nervously.
AN old man shot himself with
pistol last night, on the public road
"A suicide, eh?'
And sigh of relief escaped him.
Yes; an old man, too. And no one
knows who he is
He now grew more cheerful, and
seemed little inclined to converse.
Strange he moralized, that a man
can do such an awful thing as to kill
himself
Strange, also, l reJolned, that he
should shoot himself in the back Of the
head
Did he {? That was singular.
There was something still stranger
about it, | went on.
'Ah ! what {? he asked, quickly.
why he must have held the pistol
quite distance from his head, for it
did not singe his hat or hair
A pallor overspread his face, as he
rose from where he was sitting and
took up his coat.
That is strange!' he said. Then he
abruptly changed the subject by adding,
L wish that boat would come
you want to be off, ch?' said the
sheriff significantly.
He pretended not to hear, and start,
ed to walk leisurely, away.
We followed him closely, and l said
I think my friend, that you had
better not take the boat
'Why?' he asked. nervously, stop
ping and gazing up the river.
I think l replied, while Mr.. Stet-
son coo.ly laid his hand OH his arm,
that you had better remain in this
county day or two. You might
know something about that suicide.
you must take me for fool p he
retorted, with a show of Indignation,