Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1889-01-11
A CHANCE OBSERVATION.
Remarkable Way in Which a
Crime Was Detected.

One day, while studying sun spots
with my telescope, which was fine
and powerful instrument, 1t occurred
to me TO fit my terrestrial eye piece TO
the tube, and amuse myself looking
around the country. had frequently
tested the power of my glass by read
ing the time on n church clock in q
neighboring town, and counting light
ming rods on distant buildings and in
various other ways, and never tired OF
making fresh tests.
On this day / had been through my
routine. and, while sweeping the glass
slowly around for fresh objects of inter-
est, l saw. through vista in distant
piece OF woods, two men carrying a
small, but seemingly heavy trunk.
knew the woods perfectly, having
become familiar with every square yard
of it in my cunning expeditions.
The sight of two men carrying n
trunk in the woods, was singular enough
to excite my curiosity. speculated on
their probable errand, and, remember
ing that there was railroad station not
far from there, / decided that they
were on their way to intercept train.
As watched, the two men, putting
the trunk down and using it for seat,
began an animated conversation, which,
judged, was an argument. My opin-
ion was based on their gestures and
facial expressions, which l could see
plainly.
One Of the men was much taller than
the other, much better dressed, and had
much finer features. The other, who
was of low stature, but very powerful
looking, owing to great breadth of
shoulders and depth OF chest, was
dressed like laborer
/ could see these men so plainly that
1t seemed strange that could not hear
their voices; and felt so much like an
eavesdropper, that when they started
simultaneously and looked in my direc-
ton, l instinctively shrank back to
avoid observation.
They must have heard some noise
which startled them, for they rose
quickly, and stood in attitudes which
betokened expectancy. They stood
thus, alert, watchful and apparently
listening, for few instants, and then
resumed their seats, MS If what had dis
turbed them was no longer an object OF
anxiety.
The tall man soon rose, in decisive
sort OF, way, and the other. rather re-
luctantly, as ! thought, walked away.
l concluded that the tall man had sent
him back for some forgotten piece of
baggage. II seemed natural that tho
relations of the two men should be
those OF master and servant; but
could not understand the equality indi-
Gated by the mutual labor of carrying
the trunk, or the apparently familiar
air OF discussion.
No; was mistaken In my surmise;
the servant, If he were such, had not
gone more than few steps; for here
he was again, bearing pickaxe and
spade.
The tall man, in the meantime, had
been walking about us if selecting II
spot to bury the trunk, for he pointed
to large hollow beside n granite
bowlder, where the servant Logan dig
ging, after having cleared away the
leaves which had collected there.
While the servant was digging, the
maste' SAT on the bowlder. watching
him 1T work, and smoking cigar
which [ saw him take from pocket
ciraret g case, and light
Whei the hole was ready, the two
n m lif ed the trunk into it, and the
short one covered II with the earth he
had thrown out, and then carefully
covered the place with leaves.
The spot selected was good one for
the purpose, as the hollow merely
looked II little shallower than before.
After the short man had carefully
concealed the tools beneath a project
ing part OF the rock, and filled the
crevice with leaves, the two held n
short conversation and separated. going
in different directions-the tall man
toward the railroad station, and the
other in the direction from which they
had come with the trl nix. Just as the
men disappeared, l heard steps coming
up the observatory stairs.
drew long breath (as one does
after having finished chapter in an
interesting book, and, turning from
my glass, saw u servant bringing me a
telegram. II bore the announcement
OF near relative death; and it drove
from my mind all thought of the occur
renee which had just engrossed my at
tention so thoroughly.
As soon as / could get a train, was
on my way TO d distant city, where
had TO represent my family at the fu-
neral of my late relati'a.
Circumstances connected with busl-