Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-05-16
MechaDcsown Frederick County, Maryland Thursday, May IS, 1885,


prisoners shirt, near the wristband. I
had sharp knife in my pocket, and
seizing the sleeve, deliberately cut
out piece of the cloth containing the
spot saying:
Excuse me young man but I want
this. I'll buy new shirt, if it turns
out that you are not guilty of the mur.
der
Come let us co. said the sheriff.
The prisoner, who was now entirely
unnamed, cast one longing glance up
the river, only to see the steam boat
making its appearance, as it swept
around curve in the stream, half a
mile above.
Then, with groan that seemed to
come from the depths Of despairing
soul, he suffered himself to be led up
to the wharf; and after consultation
with a magistrate and the constable of
Kentsford, he was temporarily locked
up in the primitive local prison, which
to the great credit Of the place, was
without an inmate.
Leaving MIR. Stetson in conversation
with the magistrate, l repaired to the
store of a druggist, with whom I was
acquainted, and whom l knew to be
skilled in chemistry. To him exhib-
tied the piece of cloth, after the con-
ventional salutatlon and asked:
is that blood?'
He took the bit of cloth, bestowed a
glance first on one side, then on the
other, and responded to my query:
Blood? No.
what is it then p
Red ink he rejoined, as he quietly
handed it back to me.
Disguised with my first effort In the
role of detective, | mechanically thrust
the worthless thing into my pocket and
went out upon the street, seriously
thinking of obtaining the release Of the
prisoner and asking how much he would
charge to refrain from prosecuting Mr..
Stetson and myself for illegal arrest.
1t happened that on my way tc
where l had left the sheriff, | had tc
pass the postot1ice. One Of it's windows
was a show window, carefully secured
and in it l saw several letters placed
upon kind of rack, over which were
the words on bit of pasteboard, Held
for postage The letters were such as
had been carelessly dropped into the
office without stamps.
I perceived this at mere glance as
walked by and would have taken nc
interest IN the matter, but for the fact
that one of the letters was directed
with red ink, and 1t instantly occurred
to me that it might have baon written
by the man on whose sleeve | had found
a drop of red ink.
The letter was addressed to John s.
Sllverton, at certain large city,which
| shall style c..
Entering the postotfice, sought the
postmaster, whose attention called to
the letter, asking him when it had been
dropped in.
only an hour or two ago. he repll-
ed.
WELL SAID l, 4 shouldn't be surpris-
ed if an acquaintance of mine dropped
it in, and III pay the postage and start
it along if you will allow me.
Certainly
| handed him the necessary amount
and he placed stamp upon the letter
and prepared it for mailing.
When does the mail go up the river?
l asked.
AT six o'clock this evening.
l again Joined the sheriff and magis-
trate, and told them was going to c.,
to follow up clue l thought l had
gained to the tragedy, and requested
that the prisoner be securely confined
till my return, which would be on the
following morning.
c. WAS only twenty miles distant
from Kentsford, and that evening about
dark, l stood by the general delivery
window in the postoffice of the former
place, anxiously waiting for some one
to call for letter addressed to John
S. Silverton.'
had stood nearly an hour, pretend
ing to read newspaper, when a fash
ionable dressed young man, not over
twenty five, asked if there was letter
for John S. Silverton and | saw him
receive the letter directed with red
ink.
then watched him while he retired
to corner, opened and read the letter.
r. saamad yory hripf for in A few sec