The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-10-23
KING SOLOMON'S TOMB.

The little fishing village of Rockport, on
the coast of the state of NJ, was strange
ly silent aud almost deserted. 1t was not
that the men were at sea engaged in their
usual ayOcatiOn, for their boats were drawn
up in long line on the sands and their
nets were drying in the sun. All who
could be spared from their homes had that
morning Travelled over the rocky road that
led to Sedgwick, the county town, situated
some miles in the interior. They had gone
to attend a trial which was to take place
In the court, then in session.
Part of those who made this unusual
journey were subponaed to appear as wit
nesses, while tie others were drawn by a
natural interest in the case. Que of their
townsmen, a fellow fisherman, stood
charged with the highest crime known to
the law, that of muruer. And the victim,
while not a resident OF the vii age, had
lived near at hand, and waS well known to
every man, woman and child in the neigh
borhood.
Yes, Jack Hastings, the bTavest, biggest
hearted, handsomest Of The young men oi
the village, was accused of taking the life
of old Jasper Harch Not one of the fisher
upon the innocence of Hastings, while,
aside f-om the natural horror Inspired 10y
his violent death, little sympathy was lelC
for the murdered man.
Jasper karch, the miser, usurer and
graspiu@ land ord, was the evil genius of
his simple hearted neighbors. Impelled
by MS greed for gain, he schemed and
saved, stinting himself Ia the neoessaries
r.
maturely aged aud decrepit He had never
married, ana having 40 relatives in the re-
gion lived in Il house fast fuiing into ruins,
without even dog TO share his cneerless
home. On the morning of the day on
which the alleged murder was committed
the two men were seen upon the beach en-
gagged in an an-ry colioqIy. The roar of
the surf and a >, breeze that was blow
ing prevented JHe other fishermen who
were at work ,on their nets and boats
from uuderstaH x the subject of their
conversation. B..i Jack WAS cen to shake
his list ia tne ce of his companion, and
was beard 10 saout, 81 would drown you
In the s,..'
A few minr-.- 's'rr both men entered
their boy IS rly ;lS If bound upon
"a rCmmnI ef..us.
ueuaf. aol o.. a. ri J--rcr harch was
cast up sma.r us1a L. g aore, hole in its
heJipa! seeming 40 in.. .cs,r that an unsuc-
ccssiuI effort 4a3 oea. made to sink it.
The yiu- jas, r l... ie.cr came back;
his body, Il was SUPPOSED iay buried in
the SEA.
IL was WEI .s... 4 1t an III feeling ex-
isted n..0
Jacl ro~ance. Pretty
Polly a e., o--rJaAed wife,
and it WAS ,-s ...en .5u lor the young
couple 70 br m.rlivi before the spring
had come n ia.
Polly. VITA aer y.- ~ hair, blue eyes,
pink Checks and IoA. .i-Jre, q true child
of the sea kI.2s, was the acknowledged
belle OF the village.
One day as she tripped along the road
past the house OF Jasper karCh, that
worthy, leaning on his rickety gaze. called
out To her q a tone of malicious banter:
$50 you are going 10 marry that beg
gar of a Hastings. You'd better take me
and stand the chance OF being left rich
widow"
Polly, with crimson cheeks and flashing
eyes, hurried on in silence, glad to escape
from one whom she both feared and de
tested so heartily.
Jack was highly indignant over this in
suit, addressed as il WAS To his betrothed
and himself. vowing that on the first op-
portuuity he would teach the old man
lesson he would never forget.
The young fisherman Was far too chival
rous TO inhict bodily injury upon one so
greatly his senior, but instead spoke to
him in words that stung old Jasper into
fearful paroXysm OF rage.
The vengeance of Jasper Karch was pro-
verbal No man crossed his path with inn
punity. He now began a system of perse-
cution which became the source of untold
trouble and sorrow to the young couple
and their friends.
It was believed outside of the village
that, driven 20 extremity, Jack Hastings
had destroyed his tormcuter.
The accused young man was able to rem
der a consistent and highly probable denial
OF the grave charge under which he rested.
He declared that he had parted in anger
from Jasper karch that morning. but he
had left him alive and well when within
short distance of the fishing grounds. His
unsupported testimony was, however, IN
sufficient 10 secure his discharge. He had
been repanded TO jail. and this particular
day he was to stand in peril OF his life and
liberty before jury OF his countrymen-
A half mile 10 the south of the village a
rlass OF rocks rose in the form of cliff.
high above the sea. At its foot in the deep
shadow the waves were churned into foam.
On its summit the sunbeams fell bright and
warm. and the light breeze gently swayed
the few hardy plants that sPrsng from the
thin soil
On the clif. his head projecting over its
edge. lay a boy His garments were neat
and clean. but Of coarse material, and had
seen long service as their JhTeadOSre con
dition ahundantly testified.
He wss. perhaps, 6fteen years OF age, but
q glance at his pale, thin face gave the I'M
preston that he WAS older in mind and eX-
perience than In years.
The whole appearance OF the youth In
dicated that be was not one of those who
dwelt in the village and drew their pre-
earious subsistence from the sea Poor he
certainly was, but II WAS the poverty OF
great city that was evidenced in his garh
and manner.
This was Frank Bryson, q nephew Of old
Jerry Anderson. He was bora in Rock
port, but on the death Of his father, whils
he was yet a babe. his mother had been
driven to seek 8 livelihood IN the city OF
Boston.
The boy was not strong, and his mother
had sent him to the old home with the hope
that the change Of scene and the oracinS