La Junta tribune., 1898-12-17
CHAPTER |.


mission OF a dreadful crime.
Sledgemere is an out-of-the-way
spot in Sussex. having to this day NO
railway station within nine miles. and
boasting only two gentlemen's resi-
dences and yicarage.
For nearly thirty years the parson
had preached. and his parishioners
had listened. There had been squab-
bles between the Vicar and the Squire
about chancel rights. There had been
good seasons and bad: nine-day scan
dals had been cherished and nursed:
but never before had the sober, slow
going people Of the village been so ut
terly startled from their dreamy. ev-
ery-day existence as they were on that
memorable morning OF the l4th OF
July. lS-.
About half a mile from the Squire's
house and on the opposite side OF the
village there was pretty old man
sion called Froyles. which had been
occupied for considerable time by an
elderly bachelor named Hughes. Very
little was known OF him. although
when he first came into the neighbor-
hood he brought with him introduc-
tions to the Squire. from whom he
rented the house. Considering that he
lived almost entirely alone. he kept up
a somewhat large establishment.
Occasionally an elderly maiden-lady
named Miss Pyecroft. who was sup
posed to be his niece. came and paid
him a three or four months visit; but
the old man was OF such retiring habits
that he could not endure for any
length of time any Interference in
his ways Of life. So Miss Pyecrofts
visits invariably terminated In a
stormy eruption on his part, caused by
to have taken In the ordering OF the
household, or by some grumbling on
the part OF the servants, who by no
means relished her trespassing upon
their preserves.
Mr. Hughes spent his time chiefly
among his books and coins. OF both OF
which he prided himself upon having
a large AID valuable collection.
His household consisted chiefly OF
butler. footman, a cook. and two
maid-servants. besides two out-of-door
men. the coachman and gardener. In
such duh spot 1t was no easy task to
get indoor men-servants to remain.
The master of the house very
seldom entertained. and even deplored
having to preside at the two or three
annual dinner parties. at which the
Squire, the Vicar and the local doctor.
accompanied by their respective wives.
were his chief and generally his only
guests These dinners were indeed but
slow affairs, for the only post-prandial
diversion ever offered was an inspec-
ton OF Mr.. Hughes coins. which were
displayed in their glass cases all
around the drawing-room. After the
departure OF the guests, these treas
ures were re-deposited in the great
oaken cabinets in the library. to lie by
until the next festive occasion. Among
them were many valuable antique gold
and silver pieces, and 1t was common
remark of the Squire's, when he dined
at Froyles. that he would not like to
keep SO much bullion in his house. for
fear Of waking up some fine morning
and finding his throat cut! Habit.
however, had become a second nature.
and the possession OF these coins
caused Mr.. Hughes no anxiety.
They were not things people could
steal. he always declared, as the real
value consisted In their antiquity, and
IL would be hard matter to dispose OF
them.
But you might melt them down, y
the Squire suggested.
Melt your grandmother down."
Mr.. Hughes had replied irritably. as
IL the very motion OF melting down
such treasures for the sake of paltry
dross we're offensive to him.
1t is necessary. in order to follow
the revelations contained In these
pages, to be particular as to the de-
scription Of the inmates OF Mr.. Hugh
es' establishment at the time the mar
rative commences.
The cook. Mrs. Young. was an elder
ly woman, who had been five years in
her present situation. The two maids
Sarah and Anne Dodson. were
sisters. both young women. and ma.
| tiyes OF the village OF Sledgemere
The footman, Edward Bartlett. was 9
youth OF nineteen. and had lately been
(. engaged with an excellent two years
character from his former master. The
| butler, William Luke, was a man o,
| over forty years OF age. who had en-.
tered Mr.. Hughes service about the
same time as Bartlett.
In consequence OF the dificulty he
had experienced In obtaining servants
Mr.. Hughes had taken Luke into his
service without character. The mar
had been discharged by his late am
ployer for impertinence and suspected
pilfering Of wine: but Mr.. Hughes
liked his looks. and. after cautionina
him As to his future behavior, con,
| sented to engage him.