The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1890-02-07

receive any portion OF the wealth lett by
their dying relative.
+ Two years later George Paine, the
only son in the family, mysteriously dis
appeared from view, and was never
afterward, to my knowledge, heard
from About this time Becky's hus-
band, who heretofore had proved to be
a rather shiftless sort of a man, began
to display more than ordinary activity
as farmer. He, too, in time, began to
in some way accumulate wealth, and
being now placed in charge of the Paine
farm he was well compensated for his
services, considering the amount of
wages then paid to farm help.
One fall it was agreed upon by the
three unmarried Paine girls that they
should accompany Jose Cienti upon
business trip contemplated by him to
t1avana. mrs. ClenJl, VINO was at the
time in feeble health, was to remain at
home with her mother and children
until the return of the party.
In the followingspring Gent returned
home, and to the inquiries of his wife
and mother-in-law regarding the nom
appearance of the three girls, quietly
explained that the trio had died of yell
low fever two weeks before his depart
ure from Havana. This startling intel
Ggence well nigh killed old Mrs. Paine,
who was then well advanced in years.
In the summer of that year she died in
manner similar to her husband, her
illness being short and painful
The property belonging to the Paine
family now reverted to Cienti's wife,
but as no actual proof existed as to the
death of her brother or sisters, long
delay followed before the decision of the
courts in the matter was rendered.
Meanwhile Cienti, who now appeared to
possess considerable sum of ready
cash, began to grow dissipated, and i'll
treat his family.
One by one the children sickened and
died, and in the end Becky herself took
to her bed, and in a few weeks died, as
did her parents, after short but painful
illness. By this time suspicion became
aroused that Cienti was in some manner
connected with the death of the mem
bers of the Paine family as we'll as those
of his own.
In those days detectives were well
nigh unknown in New Hampshire, and
a criminal who might prove to be an
effective actor did not experience much
difficulty in evading justice. At a secret
meeting called by the farmers in our
neighborhood and the adjacent village,
it was unanimously agreed the authori-
ties at Portsmouth be at once requested
to cause the arrest of Gent upon suspi-
cion of murder.
News of the assembling of these men
reached Cientis ears, who, judging, no
doubt, from the dislike to his presence,
as recently shown in the action of the
townspeople toward him, that he was
suspected of crime, suddenly disap-
peared. A few nights later all buildings
of the Paine estate were destroyed by
fire The country for miles around was
faithfully secured by bands of farmers
searching for the fugitive Cienti, who
was believed to have added arson to his
other crimes, but he ultimately succeeded
in avoiding capture.
The most remarkable part of my story
remains to be told. AS / have already
told you, was wounded in the head at
Cold Harbor. Contrary to the predic-
ton of the surgeons, I did not die, but
lived to be in time removed to Frederick
City and later to the Lincoln hospital,
Washington.
After a while became convalescent,
and was granted permission to board at
hotel, it being stipulated by the sur
geon in charge that I should report for
treatment at the hospital twice daily.
While strolling through Vermont ave-
nue. Glanced to come upon group of
darkies, in the midst of which were
several women. Judge of my surprise
at being addressed by name by one of
the latter, whom l had little difficulty
in recognizing as Libbie Paine, whom
had all along believed to be dead.
In a few words the girl told me her
story. After leaving home Jose Gent
had procured passage in bark for her
and her sisters to Charleston, S. G. Here
he deliberately sold the girls into slavery.
Libbie was fortunate in being purchased
by a planter who soon afterward re-
moved to the eastern shore of Maryland.
Of her two sisters fate she knew moth
ing. both girls having been sent to
Georgia soon after being purchased.
Libbie, who was now well advanced in
years, was extremely anxious to obtain
news concerning her parents and Cientis
wife.
Through a friend employed in the
Freedmen's bureau now procured trans
portation to her home for Libbie, who
Immediately started on her way to this
place. After experiencing no end of
trouble and delays she at length fully es-
tablished her right to what property was
left belonging to her deceased father, all
of which was in land situated hereabouts,
and which property she in time disposed
of at a bargain.
In the summer of 1870 letter was re-
ceived at the town clerks Office here,
postmarked Havana. The missive con-
tanned a full confession on the part of
the fiend Gent, setting forth the fact of
his having secretly murdered Paine's
only son, and later of having poisoned
the remainder of the family, with the
exception of the three girls sold into
slavery. This wholesale killing was done
by him out of revenge for the slight cast
upon his family by the elder Paine at his
death, and to obtain what he could of
the latter's property. The letter further
stated that Cienti was then about to suf-
fer death by the garrote in More castle,
in which prison he was confined on
charge of murder and robbery.
Every effort was made by the author
tiles here to ascertain the whereabouts
of Libbie's sisters, but no traces of them
could ever be obtained. Libbie herself
died few years ago at the advanced age
of 90, her bent form and venerable ap-
pearance being for nearly quarter of a
century familiar sight to every inhab-
liant of this village.-True Flag.