The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1895-12-05

ILFHsF- mum AtOhCbsttT W
a see my sister. Pat
ty, before her marriage. She was en-
gagged to young Lieutenant OF the
name Of Rupert Rowling, the nephew
and heir of old Jonathan Rowling, q
wealthy, eccentric country squire in
Yorkshire, and il was not only good
match for her, but Rupert, whom /
had knowh from childhood-we we're
at school together one OF the
heartiest and most genuine fellows
you'd find in q days walk.
When arrived at Doncaster was
surprised to find things all in an up.
roar. Old Rowling had, it seemed,
taken some offence at an innocent but
misunderstood remark of Rupert's, and
had flown into terrible passion,
swearing he would disinherit him.
Rupert, who was high.spirited young
cheap, gave the old man bit of his
mind, and they had violent quarrel,
which ended in Mr.. Rowling turning
his nephew out OF the house and for
bidding him ever to show his face
thero again. That was on Thursday,
u tOItutRut DclOiS NlSlbs
On the evening of the quarrel Ru-
pert called on my sister and told her
of what had taken place, and they
agreed to postpone the wedding for
the present. He then left, as he start
ed, for London, where he was due to
ioip his regiment on the following
Saturday. ssS
The next morning friday every.
body was startled at hearing that old
Jonathan Rowling had been found
dead in plantation on his estate. He
was lying face downward, and had ev.
identity been shot in the back by some
one, the bullet having penetrated to
the heart and killed him instantly ;
and, on medical examination, it was
ascertained that the murder such
it doubtless was-must have been
committed on the previous night, for
death had taken place many hours be-
fore the body was found,
The fact of the quarrel between the
deceased and his nephew was already
public property, and suspicion at once
pointed to Rupert as the probable cul-
rrit. The police soon ascertained
Rupert's movements, which showed
that he had called on Patty, as l have
stated, and that he caught the next
express for London, the time between
his leaving Patty and the starting Of
the train giving him plenty of oppor-
tunity to commit thd crime had he
been so minded; and, moreover, his
road from my sisters TO the station
took him alongside the plantation in
which his uncle's body was found.
The London detectives were put to
work, and they ascertained that Ru-
pert had n revolver Of the same cali
bre as the shot found in old Rowling's
corpse, and the upshot was that he
was arrested and brought before the
magi istrates at Doncaster.
The assizes were just approaching,
and, when / arrived on the scene,
Rupert stood committed for trial on
the charge of numbering his uncle.
could do nothing to help him. but
/ went to the assize town and saw him
in prison. He denied all knowledge
of the crime, swearing to me that he
was absolutely innocent. 1 believed
him, but the evidence was overwhelm-
ing. The station master at Doncaster
spoke of Rupert's rushing into the
station in a great furry, and looking
very upset and the revolver, which
he admitted he had not used for some
days, had one chamber empty. Many
other things. trivial in themselves, but
awfully black when put together. were
brought out at the trial, and before l
left had heard him found guilty by
the jury and sentenced to death by
the Judge. 1t all seemed like CHASTITY
dream.
was due to return to my ship, the
Monico, and i bade Rupert goodby.
don't mind telling you that sobbed
like child. l shouldn't have felt i,
SO if l could have done anything, even
to try and help him, but was per
fectly powerless.
My sister, of course. was in terri
BILE way. and i hardly liked leaving
her, but my whole future depended
on my keeping my position in the Rec
Ring line, so l wrenched myself away
and was on board the Monico the mex,
morning.
We sailed the following day, which
was Wednesday, and the last thing
heard before leaving Liverpool wa
that poor Rupert's execution had beer
fixed for Thursday in the next week
We had heavy cargo of goods ant
u lot of passengers, but, tell you, m,
heart seemed heavier when We started
on that voyage than the ship, cargo
passengers and all.
The Monico was considered fas
vessel at that time. She general,
took just over seven days to do tn
passage, and we were due in New Yorl
on the Wednesday evening befor
r Rupsrt's execution.