The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-04-02
CHAPTER XVIII-Continued.


"Mrs. Darly" said the magistrate,
addressing the hag, "What answer
have you to make to the following
charges? "Firstly-you are
charged, on the affidavit of respect
able witnesses, with being an alder
and abettor in the abduction and
supposed murder of Rose Tomlin-
an orphan placed under the guar
dianship of Henry Greenberry.
"Secondly-for being privy to
the murder and robbery of John
James Tomlin; and-"Thirdly-'
"L-o-r-d" said the hag, inter
rupting the magistrate, "have we
been brought here at this hour of
the night, among a gang of villains,
to be insulted by impertinent ques
tions! You scoundrels," she
screamed, stamping her foot till the
house rang, "release me instantly,
or I'll prosecute every rascal of you
for false imprisonment! ~
"Your vituperation, Madam"
replied the officer, coolly "will avail
you but little at present. Reply to
the questions promptly, if you hope
to escape incarceration"
''Not question shall answer
for any scapegrace or cut throat
here tonight" returned the hag,
in her bitterest ScOrn.
"Then you stand committed for
the charge brought against you,"
said the officer, quietly turning to
the distressed Davy.
"What can you say for yourself,
Mr.. Darly?-for You, also, are ac-
cuseed Of being participator in
these grave otfenses."
Davy looked as if he wished the
earth would just then swallow him
up, and hide him in it's dark
bowels from his cruel tormentors,
glancing alternately at his better
half; and eyeing the magistrate in
a most dubious state of mind what
to say or do.
"Speak out if you hope to be
acquitted" said the officer, noting
poor Davy's perplexity. "Do you
know anything of the murder of
Mr.. Tomlin?"
Y-e-s-no" Davy replied grow
ing more terrified, apparently, at
the sound of his own voice.
"Silence! you stupid dog, or I'll
tear the tongue out Of your lying
throat ~ screamed Mrs. Darby,
stamping her foot with her accus-
toned violence.
Davy skulked from the threaten
ing gestures and awful frowns of
the termagant, looking as through
he would fain discover "North-
west passage" of escape from this
world of difficulties.
"Madam, you must be quiet"
said the magistrate, "and permit
the prisoner to proceed with his
confession, or you will be removed.
'Tis wholly useless to attempt con-
cealing your crimes, Madam" "
Davy being again soothed with the
hopes of pardon and mercy held
out to him-great strengtheners to
a coward's nerves-he recommended
his story, keeping, however, a
watchful eye on his other half.
With several interruptions
caused by the hag, attempting to
hy on her dear partner, during his
examination, but being as often res
trained by the officers and guard,
which very much emboldened Davy
to proceed, finding he had so strong
a party on his side-the following
purport was drawn from the
doughty husband. Knowing that
Mr.. Tomlin, on the night he was
robbed, would be returning from
New York with a sum of money,
Neil and O'Ferguson had planned
the surprise and robbery which
took place in the dark pass. With
no intention to take his life, how
; ever, the parties arranged their
plan and took their stations, taking
: Davy along to help, if any difficulty
should arise in making themselves
masters of the money. Neil made
the first attempt to detain the
traveller, by seizing his bride, but
the heavy stroke dealt on his arm
disengaged the rider for a moment
The next instant he was seized by
O'Ferguson, who dragged him from
his saddle. The latter, finding
Tomlin grappled with him, and
twas likely to prove an over match,
drew knife and stabbed his victim
to secure his own release. Thus
crime step by step leads its per.
petrators on to commit deeds, which
ON cool reflection they would
shudder to think of. After Davy
had finished his account of tn,
murder and robbery of Mr.. Tomlin