The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-09-09

Then he stood still, and shook with
suppressed laughter till the tears rolled
down his rosy cheeks. But was great
ly annoyed and very sorry for what had
happened,
Many weeks passed away, and 1 was
still enjoying the society of Jacob Daw-
fish, when the events happened which
have occasioned this story.
One morning was sitting on the beach
with the indefatigable dramatist, when
he drew from his pocket big manu-
script, and, unfolding it, said:
"Here is new play, my boy, upon
which want your opinion. But before
l read it to you, it must be carefully re-
yised, and mean to spend the morning
over it, so you can be off after your
precious stones"
"Just what was thinking Of" said;
81 mean to do some work over the
Devils Bath"
cit will be windy there. You had bet
ter change hats with me, or you'll lose
yours"
Jacob Dawlish tossed me his tightly
fitting velvet cap, and handed him my
own broad brimmed straw hat.
Remember the tide" 1 said; and then
left him to his play and climbed the
cliff.
The Devils Bath was deep, shad-
owed hollow worn in the cliff by the
waves, which was filed at tide with a sea
that boiled and dashed itself into foam
against countless spurs of rocks. In the
cliff above the "Bath' l had noticed
some geological curiosities, and now,
armed with hammer and iron-spiked
oaken staff, l set off to secure some
specimens.
had fairly successful morning, but
toward noon, just when the sea came
swirling into the "Bath," met griev-
Gus disappointment. The specimen up
on which had most set my heat was
deeply inbedded in great overhanging
careful work with my spiked staff, was
disguised by seeing the whole rock go
tumbling down the cliff into the sea,
carrying with it thick growth of ferns
and grasses. AS l stretched out over
the cliff to look after my treasure, Jacob
Dawlish's velvet cap, which was much
too loose for me, slipped off my head
and followed the boulder down into the
Devils Bath"
Having collected my specimens, was
on the point of starting for Mrs. Fishers,
when great dog limped up to my side,
and licking my hand, lifted pair of dis
tressed and beseeching eyes to my face.
| saw that the creature held one foot
from the ground, and on closer exami-
nation found that its leg was bleeding
fast from nasty wound. There was
not much that l could do, but l bound
up the wound after fashion with my
handkerchief, and after profuse show
of gratitude the dog trotted off down
the road away from Highcliffe.
AS reached Mrs. Fishers gate 1 met
Miss Amelia coming out. She looked at
my rough and hatless condition in sur
prise, but was sweeping past me with
the most majestic of bows when stopped
her and said hastily:
HAS Mr.. Dawlish returned?'
81 have not seen him since he left the
house with you this morning"
A vague fear sliced me. Suppose in
his dramatic enthusiasm the old man
had forgotten all about the tide, and it
had come in before he had left the beach
Without another word l turned from the
gate and walked hurridly along the cliff
until was just above the place where 1
had left my old friend early in the morn
ing Great waves were laundering
against the base of the cliff, but Jacob
Dawlish was nowhere to be seen. l
W
the old gentleman had left the beach in
time, and had betaken himself and his
new play into some safe, cozy nook.
l returned to Mrs. Fishers and settled
to my reading. But when dinner time
came, and Mrs. Fisher began to inquire
after her lOdgeT, my uneasiness returned,
and when the day gradually faded into
night without bringing him back l be-
came seriously alarmed. l went out
and gave information to the one police
man Highcliffe boosted of, and offered a
reward to any of tine fishermen, who
should bring me news of my missing
friend. But the night was wild and
stormy, and most of the men were anx-
lous about their own business and could
give me little attention.
On the following day, however, a
thorough search was instituted, but not
trace of Jacob Dawlish could be dis
covered.
The third day found me sick and
feverish with anxiety. The widest the
cries were Matched in my brain as /
tramped YEARLY through the neighbor-
hood, but could rot give him up. To-
ward the evening of the third day, when
l returned to my lodgings, l found a
gray-headed man waiting for me in my
room. He rose as entered and said:
81 am Mr.. Dawlish's man of business.
Mrs. Fisher has sent for me, and given
me strange information about my late
client"
'Late!" exclaimed, while a sudden
faintness sliced me.
eyes," replied the lawyer, coldly;
''such fear is the case. What do you
say to foul play, sir?"
1 started.
Foul play" repeated, and I could
but feel that my lips were twitching
with nervous excitement.
Foul play" again said the lawyer.
'Yes, sir, have received information of
startling nature, and it is my duty to
give you in charge on grave suspicion. d"
was thunderstruck: but 1 could nei-
ther move nor speak when, from tine
deep shadow of the room, the Highcliffe
policeman stepped forward and quickly
slipped pair of hand cuffs over my
wrists.
There is no space in which to tell of
my amazement and horror-my exposu
lation and indignation. Nor can 1 tell
how was conveyed to the nearest mar
ket town; how l was examined before
the magistrates, and committed to take
my trial for the wilful murder of Jacob
Dawlish.
lived in the midst of all these strange
proceedings as in a dream. Ny father
came to me and obtained eminent coun-
sci in my defense; but most startling cir
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