The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1899-06-23

mission OF n dreadful crime.
sledgemere is an out-of-the-wa
spot In Sussex. having to this day no
railway station within nine miles. and
boasting only two gcntlemen's resi-
dences and ylcarage.
For nearly thirty years the parson
had preached. and his practitioners
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 90 ut
terly startled from their dreamy. ev-
ery-day existence as they were on that
memorable morning OF the 18th OF
July. iS-.
About half a mile from the squlre's
house and on the opposite side OF the
village there was a pretty old man
sion called Froyles, which had been
occupied for a considerable time by an
elderly bachelor named Hughes. Very
little was known Of him. although
when he first came into the nelghbor-
hood he brought with him introduce
lions to the Squire. from whom he
rented the house. Considering that he
lived almost entirely alone, he kept up
somewhat large establishment.
Occasionally an elderly maiden-lady
named Mia Pyecroft. who was sup
posed TO be his niece. came and paid
him 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 Mas Pyecroft'a
visits invariably terminated in n
stormy eruption on his part. caused by
some fanclod liberty he imagined her
70 have taken in the ordering OF the
household, or by some grumbllng on
the part OF the servants. who by no
means relishcd 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
large and valuable collection.
His household consisted chiefly OF
n butler. a footman, a cook. and two
maid-servants, besides two out-of-door
mon. the coachmAn and gardener. In
sunn a dull upot n wan no easy task v
get indoor men-servants 10 remain.
Tho master OF the house yer,
seldom entertained. and even deploret
having TO preside at the two or three
annual municipalities, 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 bul
slow Affairs, for the only post-prandia
diversion ever offered was an inspec
tion OF Mr.. Hughes coins, which ver'
displayed In their glass cases al
around the drawing-room. After tn
departure OF the guesta. these treas
ures we're re-deposlted In the grea
oaken cabinets In the library, to lie b,
until the next festive occasion. ANON
them were many valuable antique gol
and silver pieces. and II was n commo
remark OF the squire's. when he dine
at Froyles. that he would not like I
keep so much bullion In his house. 10
fear Of waking up some fine mornin
and finding his throat cutl Habi
however, had become a second nature
and the possession OF these coin
caused Mr.. Hughes no anxiety.
They were not things people coul
steal, he always declared, as the rel
value consisted in their antiquity. an
II would DO hard matter to dispose {
them.
"But you might melt them down
the Squire suggested.
'Melt your grandmother down.
Mr.. Hughes had replied irritably. {
II the very motion OF melting dow
such treasures for the sake OF paltr
dross were offensive to him.
II ia necessary, in order to folio
tho revelations contained in thes
pages, to be particular as 10 the d.
scriptlon OF the inmates OF Mr.. Hugh
es' establishment at the time the ma
rative commences.
The cook, Mrs. Young. was an eide
~ woman. who had been Ave years
her present situation. The two maid
Sarah and Anne Dodson. wei
sisters, both young women. and nj
tives Of the village OF sledgemer
The footman. Edward Bartlett. was
youth OF nineteen. and had lately bee
engaged with an excellent two year
character from his former master. tn
butler. william Luke. was man {
over forty years OF age, who had Ell
: tered Mr.. Hughes service about II
= same time as Bartlett
> In consequence OF the dlfflculty
Z had experienced In obtaining servant
Mr.. Hughes had taken Luke into hi
service without a character. The ma
J. had been discharged by his late on
= ployer for impertinence and suspects
: pilfering OF wine; but Mr.. Hugh'
. liked his looks, and. after cautionin
him AZ 10 his future behavior. col
% sentod TO engage him.
y OF the coaehman and the garden'
II IN scarcely necessary TO say AM
thing. because at the time OF n
m dreadful event about to DO describe
I. they wOyo proved to be In their hous'
!, with thar respective wives and chi