Middletown transcript., 1891-10-01

| all in the same box, none worse hur
than the other. If we're honest, why
what harm can come of it ?"
| And at that old John-ap.John
broke out furiously.
Hur must be thief. if bur don
mind the name of one," he yelled
"It never was gif to Johnap Johr
before"
And then the whole kitchen fell
foul of unhappy Peter Morgan and
abused him. Before the quarrel was
over the constable arrived.
The servants and their chests and
boxes were searched and nothing
found. But, then, no one would
have been fool enough to put the
| Jewels where they could find them
after stealing them. Suspicion was
not lessened by this fact; it still lay
heavy upon the anxious men land
women. And they were very wretch.
ed under it, for, besides the terror Of
false accusation good character
was as important TO them.as stock
in trade, and one upon whose honesty
rested blemish could hardly find
service again. Therefore they were
not displeased, but rather comforted
by the news that the major was about
| to teal" the truth by Bible and key,
and that they were all summoned to
his presence for that purpose.
alt will come out" said old john
ap-John. Better confess before hur
has more trouble"
And he looked at Peter Morgan.
Every one else looked at him too,
but they made nothing by that and
after such preparations as were need
ful they all filed into the parlor and
stood before the major, Miss Black
thwaite and her friend. And at once
all eyes were riveted upon a thick
Bible corded about so as bind within
its leaves great iron doorkey.
The major was graver than before.
He arose and addressed the conclave
with an air that proved how much
Importance he attached to the super
stitious ceremony which was about to
be performed.
MY friends" he said, "we are
about to ask heaYen to judge US. Let
the guilty confess and make restitu-
tion and l will treat him leniently-
there is yet time. l do not wish to
resort to harsh measures.
But no one spoke and the major
took up the Bible.
John-ap-John," he said, "clear
yourself first" And the old man
walked very slowly towards his master.
Holding the Bible by the key he re-
peated the names of the three persons
OF the Trinity, and called upon them
to witness to his perfect honesty. And
the key remained immovable, and old
John returned to his corner angry
still, but feeling he had proved him
self entirely above suspicion.
In turn his fellow servants followed
the women bursting into tears as they
retired, leaving the key unturned be-
tween the great Bible leaves. And
at last it came to Peter Morgan's turn.
The man came forward boldly
enough and took firm hold of the key
Then be began to utter the sacred
names with which the observation of
his innocence commenced,
"God the Father-God the Son"
But then before he could utter
another word, the key turned in the
Bible-turned fairly around before all
those eyes which were riYeted upon
it and the sacred book itself dropped
from Peter Morgan's hand.
For all that never touched the
diamonds" he cried. But NO one
there believed him, The test of the
key was infallible, and he was sent to
prison to await his trial.
1t was proved that on the morning
after the loss of the diamonds, Peter
Morgan had gone over to the village,
where his mother lived, and not only
paid her rent, but bought her red
cow, and that he would not tell where
the money came from. Now, pressed
upon the point, he declared that he
had sold silver watch for it, but did
not like to say SO, because it was an
heirloom, having been given to his
father by rich man, whose servant
he had been. But he had sold it to a
travelling peddler, SO that the proof
could not be given, and in the end his
guilt seemed quite established, and he
was doomed to " be hanged by the
neck until he was dead," upon the old
gallows of Gwelttown, it being believ-
ed by all that at the last moment he
would make confession.
Miss Blackwaite was much distress
ed, but she believed that when once
the key had turned all doubt of
Peters guilt had vanished and that
her sympathy was thrown away.
As for the Ma iior he would not have
interfered with the laws of his country
had it been possible, and John.ap
John and his fellow servants thought
no fate too bad for one who had cast
SO much suspicion upon them-and
the day drew on which he was to die,
and only his poor old mother came to
the prison gates to weep, or went
frantically about to gain speech with
those who had power in their hands
and tell them that she was sure of her
Peter; and that he was the best son
who ever lived, and to beg them OH
her bended knees to believe as she
did.
Peter Morgan was to be hung, and
clergymen were with him hourly and
confession was advised as means of
atonement, and be warned against
obstinacy, but all in vain. No con-
fession fell from his lips. Instead he
said something which seemed BIAS
phemy, to those who heard it.
I knew the key turned in my
hand. But it wasn't Gods doing.
Satin had a hand in it, for it told a