The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-02-08


end from the bosom, the other from
the shoulder blade On Gretchen's
head was a dainty white muslin cap.
A pretty girl In such costume was
not likely to want for lovers, nor did
Gretchen. but she gave her heart to
one Max Beck and had no encourage
ment for any other.
One day a peddler passed through
Oberhafen and stopped at the Zeltner
farm. Herman Zeltner, Gretchens ia
ther, was seen TO walk away from the
house with the peddler in earnest con-
versation. They climbed up the noun
tain side and passed through a wood
beyond which was an open space
where grew single apple tree. Zelt-
ner returned to the house. but the
peddler did not. Later his people, who
missed him. tracked him to the Zelt-
ner farm. but could gain no trace of
him after his departure The last per
son by whom he was seen was Her
man Zeltner
Naturally suspicion fell upon the
farmer of having murdered the ped
der, for it was known that the latter
had a good deal Of money on his per-
son. Zeltner was arrested and taken
before a magistrate There were no
witnesses. and he was simply ques-
toned. He said that the peddler had
told him that he had made enough
money to buy farm and was DESTROYS
of doing so. He asked Zeltner to show
him over his own farm and give him
some instruction as to what he would
need. Zeltner had done SO, and when
the two reached the apple tree which
marked the farthest point the farm
extended up the mountain side they
had stood under it for awhile. Zeltner
telling the man what implements he
would need and where to procure
them While talking some loose stones
were detached above and came down
the incline. Thinking it was some ami
NAL, they had listened, but heard moth
ing more Then the peddler had gone
on, having inquired the way to one of
the villages higher up on the noun
tain side.
There being nc evidence against
ZeltDer, he was discharged from Gus
tody; but. though be had previously
borne an excellent reputation, many
people believed him guilty Unfortu
nately for Max and Gretchen old Carl
Beck was among this number. He told
his sou that the Becks had for gen
erations borne a spotless reputation
and that he would never consent that
the daughter of murderer should
come into the family This meant
that the young man should give up
Gretchen
Max" said Gretchen one day in
tears. IF we could but find the MUIR
derer that would relieve father Of this
suspicion which is killing him."
"He was grating yesterday" said
Max 81 saw him from the height
above. He was at work on the lone
apple tree"
THAT is the only work he has done.
He goes up there often. but usually to
sit and brood You know that is where
he left the peddler or the peddler left
him when he went away. wish ia
Their wouldn't go there. The neighbors
see him sitting under the apple tree
and think he is drawn to the place
where they say he killed his victim"
what fruit did he graft on the
tree"
"A branch from the red apple tree
ever there"
Those on the lone tree are white.
There will be curious mixture"
One summer morning Gretchen was
passing the lone apple tree ana stop
ped to look at the fruit. While doing
so a man came and, leaning on the
fence. began to talk with her He had
a very restless eye and was constantly
changing his position. He asked her
number of questions pertaining to the
locality and finally began to talk about
the tree.
1T was here" said Gretchen, that
my father more than year ago part
ed with peddler whom he had been
showing over his farm. The peddler
has never been heard from since"
What became of him?" asked the
man, looking away and changing his
position from one foot to another
my father was accused of murder
ing him."
And was 1t proved against your ia
ther?" asked the stranger.
mo. There were no witnesses. But
father is as innocent as you or l."
Gretchen thought she saw the mans
pale face grow little paler.
"And is he believed to be guiltyT"
"Some people think so because he
comes up here at times and sits under
the tree. They say that something
draws murderer back to the scene of
his crime"
Gretchen saw the stranger tremble.
Her mind was absorbed in her fathers
trouble, which also kept her and her
lover apart This made her garrulous.
She kept on:
I've tried to persuade father not to
come up here. But he will in spite OF
all can do"
Doesn't that look as If he were
guiltyT' asked the man.
mo. 1t seems to me that be. ex-