The Cotton Factory Times. — 1913-01-10 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

MEMORIAM.  " • Holbrook.—ln loving memory of VG-alter George Holbrook, who was found shot dead on the floor of a summerhouse in the wood skirting the grounds of Walland Court, Denton, Berks, June 6th. 1852. 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.' "  " Bless my heart said my host, as he paused. Why, to-day is the 6th of June, of course-4,17e anniversary of the tragedy just a year ago. Why, this is the first time I ever beard of it !--at least the exact nature of it. We knew something trap° had happened to the family, and that was why they left the place. By Jove, it seems to have been an ugly business!' " Here was consternation upon consternation., for as I displayed the photograph to him, and explained what had happen we three, almost simultaneously, jumped to the same conclusion. My hostess, with the sudden intuition of a woman, expressed that conclusion as she exclaimed:  Then take my word for it, that's the man who shot the poor, unfortunate Walter George, or whatever his name was!'  `• • Yes, yes, you are right,' we acquiesced, 'ten to one and ten to one,' I added, 'that fellow was drawn here by some un.aecountable fascination to look at the scene of his crime on the anniversary of the very day. Such things are not uncommon. Charles Dickens used to dwell on the fact as a ismarkable proof of the haunting, accusing memory of a crime impossible to control or suppress. If I recollect rightly, Jonas Chuulewit, after he had murdered Montague Tigg, went back, or wanted to go back, to look at the spot in the wood where he did the deed. And there are other instances in some of CD's. books in which he refers to similar occurrences, That's been the case here. This fellow must have stepped up the instant after I expreed the plate, and vanished but an instant before I put the cap on the camera again. His going and coming must have been timed to a nicety, otherwise the photograph just there would have been blurred and bedimmed more than it is. Of course in his excitement he didn't notice what was going on—he had no idea he was standing for his. portrait.' _  " By Jove. no,' said my host. wonder if the beggar got clean off altogether. I wonder if they ever found out who shot the poor chap. I'll take the dogmat and drive over to Daventon, and ask the pollee all about it thie afternoon, ru be hanged if I don't, and perhaps that fellow in the photo will be hanged afterwards" • • • .....  The photographer pad as he looked round at the listening circle in the inn-parlour. Somebody immediately .aad:  And I .suppo, the lady.. • *r ••, and  and your);net. wor,  Enti.rely," wa.- the •• And to make a long story short, Ili:: photogr4ph led to the ictet4ificat an and eventual capture of the criminal—the man who had so urrwittingly sat for his portrait! By its aid the police brought the murder home to him, and he was hanged for it as my host propheeiecL" "siid ho oonfess?"  " Oh! yen He had once been a gentleman—a mac in a fairly good position—and gone wrong. Yes, he made a clean breast of it; admitted that he heal born drawn to the place to look at it, exAct,l7 at 1 thought—as we all thought. We were ridanulously right in esery partictilar; and I believe be mud that he nener saw mo, or the camera, or an7botiy. 11.5 1.. wholly 17121001.604,s of cur precept* near the Prat. What the arig;;.: of the quarrel was which led to the crime I have forgotten, or never knew; but that docent matter. There, that my story, gentlemen, and now, as the rain has ceased, I mini `inepann und trek," as 4. Dutchman 3a,y," TRY  SOLD BY  CROCERS, DRYSALTERS and