Nevada County picayune., 1891-07-30
SAVED BY A HAIR,


 without, and l drew my. chair closer to the fire as l slipped my tea and re- galcd myself with the news of the To- cal paper. As the storm and sIeet rattled furiously against the window and pedestrians hurried by anxious to reach place of shelter, l felt thankful that was not obliged to leave my comfortable home for the night.
 "What's this:' l said, as my eye alighted on a startling paragraph.
 Mysterious murder, Mir. John Randolph, one of our old and wealthy citizens, was this morning found dead in his room, having been murdered during the night by some unknown person. Edgar Morton, a clerk in his employ, and who, re- ports say, was soon to be married to his daughter, has been arrested for the murder, and circumstances are said to be strongly against him.
 Now, although am usually among the first to hear of criminal news, from the nature of my business, this was the first intimation that had re- ceived that such a murder had been done. Fms seemed very strange, as l was on the very best of terms with MT. Randolph and his whole family,
 And so this is the way that Ed gar Morton rcpays the benefactOr of his youth and soon to be father. Yet, no. cried, T will stake my life on that young mans innocence.
 AS l spoke there came a gentle tap at the door, followed almost i'm mediately by the entrance of a lady deeply yelled, who at once threw aside her veil, disclosing to me the features of my deceased friends daughter, Cecil Randolph.
 Excuse me, MT. Ferguson, for entering uninvited, but urgent busi- ness must be my only excuse '
 Be seated, Miss Randolph, l said, rising and handing her chair.
 "Oh, NIT. Ferguson,' she sobbed forth, burying her face in her hands, 'that l should ever be obliged to come to you on such an errand as this :"
 endcavored to quiet her, and par tialIy succeeded, when l drew from her what few facts she knew regard ing her fathers death.
 ''He retired last night at the usual hour apparently in good spirits, and no sound was heard during the night to cause any alarm, Inthe morning, as he failed to appear at breakfast, a servant was dispatched to summon him. Knocking at the door and re- ceiying no answer, he finally opened it and advanced into the room. What sight did he then behold. My poor father lay upon his bed, with his throat cut from ear to ear . Death must have come to him sud dcnly-so suddenly as to prevent any outcry and the unknown assas- sin had no trouble in making his cs- cape
 "But." l said, II cant see why any one should suspect Edg9r of the murder.
 That is the most mysterious part of the sad affair. This morning, when Edgar was told of the murder, he turned very pale, reelcd, and would have fallen to the ground had not support been given him, Some of the ignorant beholders of the scene thought his actions denoted quilt. and an officer was summoned, who al once insisted on searching the room. A razor. on which was several spots of blood, was found concealed under the carpet, together with an old suit of clothes belonging to Edgar, which was bespattered with blood. This was considered sufficient evidence to warrant his ar rest, and he now lies in jail charged with the awful crime of murder. Oh, Mir. Ferguson, if you can do any thing to save him, and at the same time bring the guilty pcrpertrator of the deed to justice, will amply reward you.
 "Do you know of any enemies Of your father, or of Edgar, who would be likely to commit such crime, either for robbery or revenge" asked.
 Oh" she replied, "it was not