Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1891-10-22
MY LONGEST DAY.

George Parsons and | were enemies
from the first; we did not affiliate as
boys in the village school, and as we
passed together into the higher grades
not use our fists on each other, but with
in each breast there still ranked the re-
membrance of unsettled old scores.
Later on we bestowed our affections upon
the same lady Laura Marshall was not
a coquette, but it seemed to take her a
long time to make up her mind which
one was to be the happy msn. When
her choice was announced Parsons was
furious and we had bitter words before
witnesses.
About the time of our marriage Par
sons and 1 began business in the same
line. This was unfortunate, and had
either been aware of the others inten-
ton, it is doubtful if we would have be-
come competitors in Sc small a place;
as it was we never missed an opportu-
nifty to injure each other. 1t was fool
ish feud between us, but such silly quar-
rels are common in every country vii
lage.
think Laura worried over the mat
ter more than any one else, and often
attempted to heal the breach between
us, but it widened every day. George,
however, was as agreeable to her as he
was bitter to me-
One day our townspeople were startled
by the announcement that Parsons had
disappeared. His business affairs were
prosperous and everything in good order
He was a reticent sort of fellow, but had
he left of his own accord he would
naturally have left some word with his
clerk or at his boarding place, but none
could be found. As time passed the
mysterious disappearance became the
one topic of conversation in our village.
On the morning it became known
discharged our servant maid for fire.
quent neglect of duty. She was cha
grined at her dismissal and soon spread
stories that were founded partly on facts.
My wife had been seen in earnest con-
versation with Parsons the previous day;
we had little tiff at the tea table, and |
had not returned home that night till
quite late. 1t was plain to be seen that
public opinion was forming against me,
as it became necessary that @bme one
must be suspected to give the gossiping
tongues an occupation.
In less than week some boys found q
mans body in the river just below the
village 1t had apparently been in the
water but . short time, but the face had
been eaten by eels or beaten out Of hu-
man shape. The skull had been broken
by blow. and the medical examiner
proved, to his own satisfaction at least,
that the man had been killed before be-
ing thrown into the water. 1t seemed
to require no effort to identify the re-
mains as those of George Parsons, and it
was but natural that my arrest should
follow.
was as willing as any one that my
trial should take place at once, confident
that my innocence would somehow be
proved, despite the circumstantial evi-
dence which was gathering against me.
Accordingly the case was entered at the
term of court then in session. As I re-
call the testimony l do not think sin
gle witness, unless it be our former
servant, testified to anything but the
truth.
My wife had fallen i'll, but her testi-
mony, even if it could have been adj
mitted, would have proved more against
than for me. 1t was easily determined
that Parsons and were unfriendly; that
we had quarreled; that l was jealous Of
my wife for speaking to him, and thai
it would be to my business advantage
and domestic peace to have him out Of
the way.
Could | have proved that passed the
hours from s till II o'clock on the night
that Parsons disappeared in walking
upon lonely road, all the other testi-
mony would have proved worthless, but
| did not remember meeting a single per-
son abroad that night after s o'clock.
When returned home the streets were
deserted. was harassed about business
matters, vexed with my wife and suffered
from headache, but when l explained
this it was evident that my story was
not credited
My counsel was an old and tried friend
of my youth, but he did not possess the
ability to show the jury the fimsy char
acter of the evidence of the prosecution.
1t was against his advice that the case
had been put on trial so early, but so
confident was l Of acquittal that did
not realize on what precarious ground l
stood. felt that in some way my inno-
cence would be proved, although stood
almost alone in my belief. The trial
was brief one, and the arguments of
the lawyers were soon finished. To these
and the charge Of the judge | listened
like one in trance. The jury passed
out and few friends came to me with
words Of cheer and hope.