The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-01-24

Squire Gulliwum, whom he found
waiting for him, exhaling an atmos-
phere of dignity that was positively
oppressive
~ demand an explanation of this
outrage exclaimed the prisoner
Have care, young man." admon-
ished the squire, 'lest to your other
crimes you add the still more heinous
one of contempt of court"
II may at least know of what am
accused" persisted Ray, mastering
his anger.
You'll have an examination to-
morrow" replied his honor. 'In the
meantime it is my duty to commit
you" "a
The mittimus, already made out,
was handed to one of the officers, and
the line of march taken up for the
Jail in the order before indicated.
At the hour fixed for the examine
tion a crowd had assembled, the like
of which had never been seen in
Gutchley since that memorable
Fourth of July which ,uire Guilt
wum had rendered illustrious by de-
livering an Grafton on horseback, in
full uniform, in the center of hol-
low square formed of the Cory
Grays," standing at "present."
With some difficulty the prisoner
was ushered through the crowd into
the magisterial presence and con-
! fronted with his accuser.-no other
than his fair landlady, whom the very
sight of him seemed to give a turn.
The magistrate begged her to COM
pose herself, which she did to some
extent, and after being duly sworn,
and having chastely kissed the book,
she proceeded:
1t was not her nature, if she knew
herself, to be suspicious. The late
Mr.. Peake clears to his memory had
pronounced this the weak point in
her character: Still, she noticed
marked want of openness in her
boarder. She had observed, too, oc-
casional symptoms of levity in his
conduct. She would scorn to pry into
other peoples secrets, but when peo-
pie will leave their letters lying
about other people can't help seeing
what's in them sometimes. It was in
this way she had become informed of
on atrocious plot against her own
life. Here the witness quite broke
| down.
| Ibid you find that paper in the
prisoners apartment?' Intercepted
the squire, producing the letter be.
fore referred to.
| "I-I-I-I d. di- didr' sobhing.
Paper marked and read.
Dear Ray: Your idea of killing
the widow is capital. Garry it out at
once. Will see you in day or two.
| O."
A loud laugh in the rear of the
crowd interrupted the proceedings.
who's that contemning the court?"
shouted the squire
| mo ofense intended" said jolly,
good-looking gentleman, pushing his
way forward; "but this is too good!'
"Hullo, Quarto!'' cried Ray; "a
pretty scrape that COMPOUNDED letter
of yours has got me into"
do l understand you to be the
author of that epistle?' inquired
Gulliwum of the stranger.
The latter owned up.
ARREST him as an accomplish
commanded the squire.
BEG PARDON interrupted Mr..
Meek, the village pastor; "but hap
pen to know this gentleman. This is
Mr.. Quarto, the publisher: There
must be some mistake here"
LET him explain it, them" said the
squire.
The stranger asked no better. Mr..
Ray was an auth or who was writing
a novel for him, the heroine of which
was a young widow, whom it had
been deemed advisable to kill off in
the concluding chapter. And the
'bloody business referred to in the
publis hers note had that extent
no more.'
Mr.. Quarto was cut short by a roar
of laughter in which every body joined
but the widow and the squire.
Cot nh.