Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-11-26
ACCUSED BY A CLOCK.
The Ingenious Device That Brought
a Murderer to Justice.

the ingenious DeV1Ce IhaJ BrOugnt
a Murderer to Justice.
Licrret, the clockmallcr, was cnly
thirty years OF age, but he was inclined
to sadness, and was not tallutive. He
had known great sorrow. Seven
years before, while he was serving in
the army, his father had been muir
durcd--in the shop now occupied by
the son. Who was the assassin? On
whom could he avenge the old man
who had never done harm to anybody,
md had been so kind to him? Justice
had failed to lay hand upon the mur-
derer and robbcr who had carried off
four thousand pounds, saved sou by
sou by lhc father Tor the son.
All researches had been fruitlcss.
Lierret had finished his time of service
in the army, and as soon rs he was free
he returned and established himself in
the murdered mans shop, determined to
drive away care by labor. But it was
clear that suffering was gnawing at
his heart. At nightfall he wandered
about the village in search of the
criminal.
Time passcd-wceks, months, years.
The murder was forgotten by all save
the orphan and the.-other, who could
not but remember it.
Quite recently Lierrct had gone to
Paris and remained there several days
making purchases, bringing back with
him magnificent clock which caused
every body who saw it to long to pos
sess it.
''Come in, gentlemen" said Lierret
to the admiring groups who pressed
closely about his shop window.
-'What is the price of it?"
--One hundred pounds"
''Docs it strilIe?"
-a'CertainIy. Listen"
The clociSmalSer caused the bell to
sound-clear, sonorous, silvery.
''But nobody will buy it," said Lier-
ret. ~ am afraid / have done fool
ish thing in bringing it from Paris"
"Oh, that depends, Lierret! We are
not rich enough. but there is some
body here"
"Really! Whom?'
'sEh! Locard-good looking Locard
who is going to marry and doesn't
mind what he spends"
''If you would not mind putting in u
word for me"
with pleasure; and-who knows?-
by touching him on the side of his van
ity-"
''You would be doing me great serv-
ice."
Jacques Locard was not very much
liked and that for several reasons. In
the first place he had made his fortune
too suddenly. 1t had come to him from
the clouds by the intermediary of a
notary-oh! not of this village, but
of a long way off, over the mountains
AN inheritance which had at once put
him at his case, and he had increased
this by dabbling in business.
For all that he was closefisted, spoke
in loud voice, staggered in the 3 tree
drank heavily and had following.
When anybody wanted to unloosen his
purse strings for bowl of punch or a
bottle of champagne they knew on
which side to deal with him. A man
like him-the king of the country! He
wagged his head and allowed himself
to be taken in.
The thing, however, was not so easy
as it had at first seemed to be. When
the name of Licrrct was pronounced
before Locard IL evidently produced an
unpleasant effect on that PERSONS
nerves. He disliked Licrret, that was
clear. Well, everybody is free to like
or dislike according to his impressions
Is he not? Lieryet-a pcttifoggcr, IN
idlerl No, no! ne was not that; but
even If he were, what had that to dc
with the greatest wonder that had
ever been seen in the place? Besides
it cost nothing to look at it.
While talking, Locard drank alb
sinthe. He began to get warm, say.
ing: "Ycs," saying NO" and finally
consenting to stroll as far as the clock.
nalzer's shop then withdrawing hi.
consent.
why, anyone would say you are
afraid to go to Lierrets-''
"Afraid! l? What do | care fol
Lierrct? Come on"
The little matchmaker was Mt the
bench, !,is magnifying glass in hi.
right eye, bending over the works of
watch. Certainly he was not looking
at anything that was going on outside
of his shop; yet he saw, very plainly
observed the approaching group, ant
something very much like smile
might have been seen TO play about his
lips rs he did so. He hoped for {
customer, and to a poor tradesman tina
must always be II pleasant feeling, mus
1T not? Oh, doubtless. But of all pos
rible customers Lierret hoped for one
and that one W as now at the door.
Locard entered.
lis that it?" ne said, contempt
uously.
Licrret rose politely Locard turne,