Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1903-09-05

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ACN. N the summer, many years
4 r I ago, Colonel Kenyon, a
O Q young son Of Lord Kenyon,
Y was cruising In small
fo~ yacht Off the coast Of Ire
land, when he was Overtaken by sud
den storm, the little craft capsized. and
all his companions were drowned. Col
Onel Kenyon himself was washed
ashore in a half dying condition, in
which state he was discovered by a
fisherman. The man, instead of Offer
ing any assistance to the unfortunate
colonel, set to work to plumber him.
When his unhappy victim partially re-
vived the rObber struck him over the
head with heavy club, finished riding
his person, and left him for dead.
The booty obtained from the person
Of the colonel, and from his baggage,
which had washed ashore, consisted of
some very rare and valuable jewelry,
rings, pins, watch inlaid with dia-
mOnds and other costly ornaments
which his fine taste coveted and great
wealth enabled him to indulge in, be-
sides nearly 1900 in gold. The property
and the plundered man dead-as he
supposed-the would-be murderer start
ed. he hardly knew where. Crossing
the Channel he went to England,
where, 1t is believed, he had some ac-
Quaintances or relatives residing.
The colonel lay upon the sands for
some hours insensible, but was finally
found by an honest laborer, carried to
his humble cottage and carefully
nursed back to life and eventually to
perfect health. All,efrOrts to obtain
clew to the discovery Of the man who
had robbed him were unavailing, A
person answering the description was
found to have left the country about
the time Of the occurrence, and it was
thought had gone to England, but moth
ing more satisfactory could be obtained
and all attempts at detection and pur-
suit We're given up.
Colonel Kenyon soon after Joined his
regiment, served in Europe ana else
where, and finally, after an absence OF
ten years or more, returned to England.
In the excitements Of camp and field,
the incidents Of his life ON the Irish
coast had been almost forgotten; hut
the return to the old haunts, and the re-
newal of old friendships brought back
the memory. of that even with much
distinctness.
Late in the afternoon of an autumn
day roughlooking man, clothed in
lonely inn in the North Of England, and
demanded lodgings for the night. The
proprietor glanced suspiciOusly at the
scanty and threadbare wardrobe of the
stranger, and intimated that people
kept tavern for money, and didn't de-
sire to entertain strangers who Were
destitute Of the wherewithal to liqui
cate their reckoning. The stranger
quickly comprehended the situation,
and, thrusting his hand into his pocket,
brought out score of glittering gold
coins, and remarked to the landlord
that he was not only able to pay his
bill, but could buy him out every hour
in the day, and pay the cash at each
purchase.
At this display of wealth the inn
keepers eyes sparkled and the stran-
ger was cordially invited to make the
inn his home SO long as he found 1t
desirable and convenient, which invita-
ton was promptly accepted. 1t was
soon apparent that the traveller was
fond of his tod, and the humOr was
gratified to It's full extent, so that when
he retired he Immediately fell into a
heavy slumber which was not easily
| disturbed.
The sight Of the strangers gold had
fred the cupidity Of the innkeeper, and
no sooner had the man retired than
he began to speculate on the surest
and safest means of possessing him
self of the gold. Robbery alone was
attended with danger, for the plum
dered victim would undoubtedly call
the authorities to his assistance, and
punishment would be almost certain;
SO. acting upon the principle that dead
men tell no tales" he finally resolved
upon murder as well as robbery.
I His family, which consisted Of his
wife and little daughter. but six
| years old, were requested to- retire
early, and were soon asleep. A little
after midnight he cautiously entered
the room where the doomed man was
sleeping; and just then the weary trav.
eler turned measily, aud the assassin
crOuched tremblingly in the darkness
to avoid exposure. At length all was
still again save the heavy breathing OF
the victim.
The innkeeper arose to his feet
moved cautiously to the bedside. and
let few feeble rays from a dark Ian
tern fall upon the sleeping form tina,
there might be no failure In the stroke
and the knife do Its perfect work. The
struggling rays Of the light fell upor
the hard face Of the fisherman, and ht
suddenly opened his eyes, caught the
CLEAN of the bright blade as 1t flashed
above him, and a sharp, quick cry at
tested the completeness of his terror
The cry, however, was quickly silenced
for the murderou, steel was driven t.
the heart, and with few cOnvulsivt
gasps he expired.
His pockets and bundle which HI
had carried were quickly emptied o
whatever they contained Of value, thu
body was wrapped in the bloody bed
clothes. and buried in the yard. and thu
stains in the room carefully washed
away. In the morning he expressed
great surprise and Indignation at TN
travellers sudden disappearance. accus
ing him not only Of escaping withou
tho payment Of his bill, but also will
having stolen the bedclothes. and ever
enacted tie farce Of pursuit. Hi