The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-06-08
CHAPTER III.
IN EVIL DAYS.

If you had not been SO cowardly you
would have made sure"
Have done, Grizzle. It is the hand Of
God. How could We know he was there
how came he back?"
You'll drink no more till all is over, or
we will hang. Hang! Do you hear that,
Daniel Meade? Will We help matters by
babonng? I have washed and dressed
him. No hand shall touch him."
Her husband shook his head.
Fool! see our way clear. Listen! we
will say it was the bullet. The boy came
home, and We pu. him to bed. Are you lis
tening, Daniel Meade? Then the drunken
sailor fought him in the night shot him.
and fed"
The landlord looked at bis wife with
.Rouse, man, and leave liquor alone,
unless you want to hang.
4 promise, but We might as we'll re
done with it..
rope we're about your neck It is not
above understanding. The wound in his
head will satisfy ALL. Now, then. away
speed We, and tell how our boy oeen
murdered. We must alarm our neigh
bors and the authorities. Away now.
Daniel Meade repeated the story his
wife put in his mouth reluctantly. AS
he repeated it he regained something
like the assurance that characterized his
dealings with the world.
The announcement Of the murder cre-
ated profund sensation. The elements
of a great mystery-s mystery that seemed
impenetrable were recognized by the in
telligent, while the uneducated regarded
the event as additional proof that super
natural agencies were daily demonstrated
in the affairs of mankind.
The author rites, on the other hand,
calmly noted: first, that the poor boy
who had twice escaped death at sea IN q
miraculous manner, came home to be
murdered by q drunken, quarrelsome
sailor; second, that the murderer effected
his escape easily and in q manner that
would have suggested itself to the dullest
comprehension; third, that the authori-
ties owed it to themselves to capture,
convict, and hang the murderer speedily.
The news spread fast and far. Great
crowds thronged the Globe Inn to view
the remains. The marshal Of Salem was
notified by William Ayers, Daniel Meades
creditor, to postpone the collection of his
debt for the present. Such proceed
ing at that time would have made Mr..
Ayers very unpopular, and he was look
ing forward to political preferment.
The authorities viewed the remains,
made due note of the testimony suD-
mitted by the grief stricken parents,
Marshal Hobbs, Giles Ellis, and Ezra
Easty, and accorded due prominence to
the statements made by the marshal and
Ellis in the record. Scarcely any note
was made Of the sworn statement Ezra
Easty made. Ezra was only an appren-
tice to John Lee.
Thus the remains of the innkeeper's
son were committed to their last resting
place with much ceremony and public
manifestations Of concern.
Contrary to the expectations Of the
landlord, the notoriety given Globe Inn
was the means Of re- establishing the GUS
tom the inn enjoyed in it's best days.
William Ayers, Meade's creditor, was paid
promptly week after the funeral. Prin-
cipal and interest on the sum Of one hun
dred and fifty pounds was peid on the
nail. There were many who expressed
surprise at the ability Of Daniel Meade
to meet this and other obligations, but as
the custom grew, and Globe Inn -four
ished, the thoughtful held their peace,
and rejoiced in the prosperity OF man
sorely tried:
On the morning the murder Was made
known, Ezra Easily, apprentice to John
Lee, one of the most respectable citizens
OF Salem, overheard portions of con-
versstion between his master and mistress
and their daughter that made q profound
impression upon him. Ezra was not
where he should have been when he heard
the conversation. His master thought he
was in the shop-indeed, had sent him
there. The shop was considerable
distance from the house, but Ezra, whose
curiosity always easily aroused) was then
afame; made An excuse to return to the
house, and hearing loud words in the best
room, glued his ear to the door, holding
the outer door in the narrow passage
leading to the shop conveniently open.
As soon as he could contrive it he made
an excuse to leave the shop shortly after
his master entered it. John Lees man
ner as he looked at his apprentice that
morning was peculiar, or perhaps the ap-
prentice felt guilty.
Ezra's purpose was to speak to the
maid servant, Ann Bigger, who seemed
equally anxious to place distance be-
tween herself and the house They en-
countered each other at the end of the
shop opposite the house.
oh, Ezral You heard them, too?"
Il could not help hearing. If people
talk SO loud one might hear them half
way across the lot"
Such sharp things as Master Lee
said"
But did not his own daughter answer
him promptly?"
out boldly. did not think it was in
her."
who, think you, Ezra, is all this quar-
reling over2 I was setting the milk,
and was fearful the mistress would come
on me every minute, SO dare not remain
longer"
That is plain. Heard ye no name?"
Il have told you I was fearful of the
mistress"
Il heard plenty--more than master or
mistress would like me to know. John
Lee had best not make such an ado an
man stops a few hours lato with his
friends.
What did you hear? I have my own
suspicious, but first tell me what you
know"
"Woll, then" Ezra answered with o
backward glance, 1T is plain to me all
this talk is about Martin Lee, John Lees
brother, who must have done somo dread
full thing"
AYE, that is clear, else Janet would
not defend him SO warmly. She was
ever talking OF her uncle-and when he
comes homa how it will he this wav M