Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1892-07-05
Saved by a Hair.


galed myself with the news of tn,
local paper. As the storm and sleet
ratified furiously against the win
dow, and pedestrians hurried by
anxious to reach a place of shelter
| felt thankful that | was not oblig-
ed to leave my comfortable home
for the night.
"What's this?" | said, as my
eye alighted on a startling para.
graph.
mysterious murder!-Mr. John
Randolph, one of our old and
wealthy citizens, was this morning
found dead in his room, having been
murdered during the night by some
unknown person. Edgar Morton
a clerk in his employ, and who, re-
ports say, was soon to be married tc
his daughter, has been arrested foi
the murder, and circumstances are
said to be against him."
Now, although | am usually
among the first to hear of criminal
news, from the nature of my busi-
ness, this was the first intimation |
had received that such murder had
been done. This seemed very
strange, as | was on the very best
of terms with Mr.. Randolph and his
whole family.
"And so this is the way that Ed
gar Morton repays the benefactor
of his youth and soon-to-be-father
Yet no." cried; 81 will stake my
life on that young mans innocence"
As | spoke there came a gentle
tap at the door, followed almost
Immediately by the entrance of a
lady deeply yelled who at once threw
aside her veil, disclosing to me the
features of my deceased friends
daughter, Cecilia Randolph.
Excuse me, Mr.. Ferguson, for
entering uninvited, but urgent busi.
ness must be my only excuse"
BE seated, Miss Randolph
said, rising and handing her chair.
"Oh, Mr.. Ferguson!" she sobbed
forth, burying her face in her
hands; "that should ever be oblig-
ed to come to you on such an er-
rand as this!'
| endeavored to quiet her, and
partially succeeded, when | drew
from her what few facts she knew
regarding her fathers death.
"He retired last night at the usual
hour, apparently in good spirits, and
no sound was heard during the night
to cause any alarm. In the morn
ing as he failed to appear at break
fast, "A servant was dispatched to
summon him. Knocking at the
door and receiving no answer, he
finally opened it and advanced into
the room. What a sight did he
then behold! My poor father lay
upon his bed, with his throat cut
from ear to ear! Death must have
come suddenly-so suddenly as to
prevent an outcry-and the un-
known assassin had no trouble in
making his escape"
But" said, 81 can't see why
any one should suspect Edgar of
the murder"
THAT is the most mysterious part
of the sad affair. This morning,
when Edgar was told of the murder
he turned very pale, reeled and
would have fallen to the ground had
not support been given him. Some
of the ignorant beholders Of this
scene thought his actions denoted
guilt, and an officer was summoned,
who at once insisted on searching
his room. A razor, on which was
several spots of blood, was found
concealed under the carpet, together
with an old suit of clothes belong
ing to Edgar, which was bespatter-
ed with blood. This was consider
ed sufficient evidence to warrant his
arrest, and he now lies in Jail,
charged with the awful crime of
murder. Oh, Mr.. Ferguson! If
you can do anything to save him,
and, at the same time, bring the
guilty perpetrator of the deed to
justice, | will amply reward you"
"Do you know of any enemies of
your father, or of Edgar, who would
be likely to commit such crime,
either for robbery or revenge?" |
asked.
"Oh," she replied, at was not
done for robbery, as everything in
the room was as my father left it the
night before. His watch and pock-
et-book, the latter containing good
sum Of money, were found under
his pillow, where he always placed
them, so that the crime must have
been committed to crafty fiendish
thirst for revenge"