THE TIMES, NEW HLOOMElELl), PA. MAllClt 23. 1880.
T11E SECRET CLOSET.
"'OH murder, though it have no
tongue, will speak with moat
miraculous orRan."
Id the yeur 18, John Smith I use
ficticious names was Indicted for the
willful luurder of Henry Thompson.
The case was one of a most extraordin
ary nature, and the interest excited ly
It was almost unparalleled. The accused
was a gentleman of considerable prop
erty, residing upon his own estate. A
person, suppoucd to l.e an entire strang
er to him, had lute In a summer's day
requested and obtained shelter and hos
pitality for the night. He had, it was
mipposed, after tailing some light re
freshmentK, retired to bed in perfect
health, requesting to be awakened at an
early hour the following morning.
When the servant appointed to call hliu
entered the room for that purpose he
was found In his room perfectly dead,
and from the appearance of the body it
was obvious that he had been so for
many hours.' There was not the slight
est mark of violence upon his persou,
and the countenance retained the same
expression It had during life.
Day a and weeks passed on, and little
further was discovered. In the mean
time rumor had not been Idle. Suspicions
were vague indeed, and undefined, and
were at-11 ret whispered and afterward
luridly expressed. The precise object of
these suspicions was not clearly Indicat
ed: but they all pointed to Smith,' the
master of the house, as concerned In the
leath of the stranger ; and, In fine, the
magistrates were influenced to tcommit
Mr. Smith to jail to await his trial for
the murder of Henry Thompson. As it
was deemed essential to the attainment
of justice to keep secret the examination
of the witness before the magistrates all
the Information of which the public
were in poc-session before the trial took
place was that which I have narrated.
Such was the state of things upon the
morning of the trial.
The counsel for the prosecution open
ed his ease to the Jury In a manner that
Indicated very little expectation of a
conviction. He began by begging them
to divest their minds of all they had
heard before they came into the box ; he
entreated them to attend to the evidence
and judge from that alone.
It would be proved beyond the possi
bility of a doubt that the deceased died
of poison poison of a most subtle na
ture, most active in Us operation, and
possessing the wonderful and dreadful
quality of leaving no external mark by
which its presence could be detected.
The ingredients of which it was com
posed were of so sedative a nature that,
instead of the body which it had been
used exhibiting any contortions or
marks of suffering, it left upon the fea
tures nothing but the calm and placid
appearance of repose.
The prisoner's family consisted ouly
of himself, a housekeeper, and one man
servant. The man servant Blept in an
outhouse adjoining the stable, and did
bo on the night of Thompson's death.
The prisoner slept at one end of the
house and the housekeeper at the other
aud the deceased had been put into a
room adjoining the housekeeper's.
It would be proved by a person who
happened to be passing by the house on
the night in question, about three hours
after midnight, that he bad been induc
ed to remain and watch from having his
attention excited by the circumstance,
then very unusual, of a light moving
about the bouse at that late hour. The
person would state most positively that
he could distinctly see a figure, holding
a light, go from the room in which the
prisoner slept to the housekeeper's room
and the light disappeared for a minute.
Whether the two persons went into
Thompson's room he could not see, as
the window of that room looked anoth
er way ; but in about a minute they re
turned, passing quietly along the house
to Smith's room again, and in about
rive minutes the light was extinguished
and he saw it no more.
Such was the evidence upon which,
the magistrate had committed Smith,
and singularly enough, since his com
mittal the housekeeper had disappeared,
nor could any trace of her be discovered.
Within the last week the witness who
saw the light had been more particularly
examined, and in order to refresh his
memory bad been placed at dark in the
very spot where be stood that night,
and another person placed with him. '
The whole scene, as he had described it,
was acted over again, but it was utterly
impossible, from the cause above men
tioned, to assert when the light disap
peared whether the parties bad gone in
to Thompson's room. As if, however,
to throw deeper mystery over this ex
traordinary transaction, the witness per
sisted in adding a new feature to his
former statement, that after the persons
returned with the light into Smith's
room, and before it was extinguished, be
had twioe perceived some dark object to
intervene between the light and the win
dow, almost as large as the surface of
the window itself, and which he descrlb-
ed by saying it appeared us If a door hud
been placed before the light.
Now, in Hmlth's room there was noth
ing which could account for this appear
ance: his bed wan in n different part,
iitul their wa tielthercuphoard nor pres9
In the room, which, but for the bed was
entirely empty, the room In which he
dressed being at a distance beyond.
lie could eny only one fact more said
the learned counsel and having done
this duty, it would be for the jury to
perform theirs.
Within a few days there had been
found in the prisoner's heuse the stopper
of a small bottle of n very singular ap
pearance. It was apparently of foreign
manufacture, and was described by the
medical men us being used by chemists
to preserve those liquids which are most
likely to lose their virtues by exposure
to the air. To whom It belonged, or to
what use it had been applied, there was
no evidence to show.
Such was the address of the counsel
for the prosecution, and during its de
livery Iliad earnestly watched the coun
tenance of the prisoner, who had lis
tened, too, with deep attention. Twice
only did I perceive that it produced In
him the slightest emotion. When the
disappearance of the housekeeper was
mentioned, a smile, us of scorn, passed
over his lips, and the notice of the dis
covery of lite stopper obviously excited
an Interest, and, I thought, an appre
hension, but it quickly subsided. I need
not detuil the evidence that was given
for the prosecution; it amounted in
substance to that which the counsel eta
ted, nor was It varied iu any particular.
The stopper was produced and proved to
have been found in the house ;. but no
attempt was made to trace It to ' the
prisoner's possission or even knowl
edge. When the case was closed the learned
judge, addressing the counsel for the
prosecution, said he thought there wa9
hardly sufficient evidence to call upon
the prisoner for his defense ; and if the
jury were of his opinion, they wouJd nt
once stop the case. Upon this observa
tion from the judge, the Jury turned
round for a moment,and intimated their
acquiescence in his Honor's views of
the evidence. The counsel folded up
their briefs, aud a verdict of acquittal
was about to be taken, when the prison
er addressed the court. He urged the
court to permit him to state his case to
the jury and to call his housekeeper,
with so much earnestness and was sec
onded so ably by his counsel that the
learned judge, though very much against
his inclination, and contrary to his us
ual habit, gave way, and yielded to the
request.
The prisoner then addressed the jury,
aud entreated their patience for a short
time.
He repeated to them that he never
could feel satisfied to be acquitted mere
ly because the evidence was not conclu
sive, and pledged himself in a very
short time, by the few observations he
should make, to obtain their verdict up
on higher grounds upon the impossi
bility of his being guilty of the awful
crime.
Of the stopper which had been found
he disowned all knowledge ; declared
most solomnly that he had never seen it
before it was produced in court ; and he
asked, could the fact of its being in his
house only a few days ago, when hun
dreds of people had been there, produce
upon an impartial mind even a moment
ary prejudice against him V One fact,
and only one, has been proven to which
it was possible for him to give ifnswer
the fact of his having gone to the bed
room of his housekeeper on the night
in question.
He had been subject for many years of
his life to sudden tits of illness : he
had Deen seized with one on that occa
sion, and had gone to her to procure
her assistance in lighting a fire. She
had returned with him to his room for
that purpose, he having waited for a
minute in the passage while she put on
her clothes, which would account for
the momentary disappearance of the
light ; and after she had remained in his
room for a few minutes, finding him
self better, be had dismissed her and re
tired to bed, from which he had risen
when he was Informed of the death of
his guest. '
It bad been said that after his com
mittal to prison, bis housekeeper bad
disappeared. He avowed that, finding
his enemies determined If possible to ac
complish his ruin, he had thought it
probable that they might tamper with
'his servant, and he had therefore kept
her out of the way but for what pur
pose? Not to prevent her testimony
being given, for she was now under the
care of his solicitor, aud would instant
ly appear for the purpose of confirming,
so fur as she was concerned, the state
ment which he had just made.
Such was the prisoner's address, which
produced a powerful effect. It was de
livered In a firm and impressive manner
and its simplicity and artiessness gave it
an appearance of truth. The house
keeper was then put in the box and ex
amincd by the counsel of the prisoner.
According to thu custom of that time,
almost universal, of excluding witness
es from court until their testimony was
required, she had been kept at a house
near at hand, and had not heard a single
word of the trial. There was nothing
remarkable in her manner or appear
ance; she might be about thirty-five or
u little more, with regular though not
agreeable features, and ait nlr perfectly
free from embarrassment.
She repeated, almost in the prisoner's
own words, the story he had told of his
having called her up, and she having
accompanied him to hls room, adding
that after leaving him she retired to her
own room and hud been awakened by a
man servant in the morning with nu ac
count of the traveler's death.
She hud now to undergo a cross-examination
: aud I may as well state here,
which, though not known to me till
afterwards, what will assist the render
in understanding the following scene:
The counsel for the prosecution had, in
his own mind, attached considerable
importance to the circumstance mention
ed by the witness who saw the light,
that while the prisoner and housekeeper
were in the room of the former, some
thing like a door had Intervened between
the window and the candle, which was
totally irrecouciluble with the appear
ance of the room when examined ; and
he had half-pursuaded himself that there
must be a secret closet which had escap
ed the officers of Justice, the opening of
which would account for the appearance
alluded to, aud the existence of which
might discover the property which had
so mysteriously vanished.
His object therefore, was t6 obtain
from the housekeeper the only person
except the prisoner who could give any
clue to this such information as he
could get, without alarming her by any
direct Inquiry on the subject, which as
she should not know how much or how
little the inquiry had brought to light,
and by himself treating the matter as
immaterial he might lead her to consid
it in the same light, and by this means
draw forth all she knew. After some
unimportant questions he asked her iu a
tone and manner calculated rather to
awaken confidence than to excite dis
trust :
" During the time you were in Mr.
Smith's room you stated that the candle
stood on the table In the centre of the
room?"
" Yes.".
" Was the closet, or cupboard, or
whatever you call it, opened once or
twice while It stood there 1"'
A pause ; no answer.
" I will recall it to your recollection.- -After
Mr. Smith had taken the medi
cine out of the closet, did he shut the
door or did it remain opeu V"
" He shut it."
" Then it was opened again for the
purpose of replacing the bottle, was it V"
" It was."
" Do you recollect how long it was
open the last time V"
" Well, not above a minute."
" The door when open would he ex
actly between the light and the window
would It not V"
" It would."
" I forgot whether you said the closet
was oh the right or left hand side of
the window V"
"On the left."
" Would the door of the closet make
any noise in opening it V"
" None."
"Can you speak positively to the
fact V Have you ever opened it your
self, or seen Smith open it V"
" I never opened it myself."
" Did you ever keep the keys V"
" Never."
" Who did V "
" Mr. Smith, always."
- At this moment the witness chanced
to turn her eye toward the spot where
the prisoner stood, and the effect was al
most electrical. A cold, damp sweat
stood upon his brow ; his face bad lost
all its color. She no sooner saw him
than she Bhrleked and fainted. The
consequence of her answers flashed a
cross her mind.
She had been so thoroughly deceived
by the manner of the advocate and by
the little importance he seemed to at
tach to her statements, that she had
been led on by one question to another
till she had told him all he wanted to
know.
During the Interval occasioned by
her illness as to the proceeding, the
solicitor left the court. It was between
4 and 6 o'clock when the judge resumed
His seat upon the bench, the prisoner
his station at the bar, and the house
keeper her's in the witness box. The
court in the Interval had remained
crowded with spectators, scarce one of
whom bad left his place, lest during Lis
absence it should be seized by some one
else. The cross-examining counsel then
addressed the wituess :
, " I have a few more questions to ask
you, but beware that you answer them
truly, for your own life depends upon a
thread. Do you know tills stopper V"
" I do."
" To whom does It belong V'
" To Mr. Smith."
" When did you see It last V"
" On the night of Mr. Thompson's
death."
At this moment the solicitor Tor the
prosecution entered the court, bringing
with him upon a tray, a watch, two
money bags, a Jewel-case, a pocket-book
and a bottle of the same manufacture
us the stopper, and having no cork in it.
The tray was placed upon the table lu
sight of the prisoner and witness, and
from that moment not a doubt remained
in the mind of any man of the guilt of
the prisoner.
A few more words will bring my story
to a close. The house where the mur
der had been committed was between
nine and ten miles distant. The solid
as soon as the cross-examination had
discovered the existence of the closet
aud its situation, had set off on horse
back with two sheriffs officers, and
after pulling down purt of the wall of
the house, had detected this place of
concealment.
The search was well rewarded ; the
whole of the property belonging to ,Mr.
Thompson was found there, amounting
in vulue to several thousand pounds, and
to leave no doubt, a bottle was discover
ed, which the medical man instantly
pronounced to contain the very identl
cal polsou which had caused the death
of the unfortunate Thompson. The re
sult is too obvious to need explanation.
The case presents, perhaps, the uupar
alleled instance of a man accused of
murder showing such a defence as to in
duce the judge and jury to concur in a
verdict of acquittal, but who, persisting
in calling a witness to make his inno
cence more emphatic, was, upon the
testimony of that very witness, con
victed and executed.
Wonderful Presence of Mind.
Clarance Connelly Is a plucky man,
and it is to his grit and coolness that he
owes his life. A few days ago while
working In the Allegheny shaft on East
Fryer hill, he prepared a blast and light,
ed the fuse, aud jumping into the buck
et, gave the signal to hoist away. The
shaft Is 240 feet deep, and when about
forty feet were gained the toggling gave
way and the bucket started back for the
bottom of the shaft. Connelly felt it
giving away, and managed to catch hold
of the loop at the end of the rope. As
soon as he found that he had a hold he
began to yell to the men above. They
thinking he was iu a hurry to get out of
reach of the blast, put on extra steam
and Jerked him a hundred feet in a
twinkling. When about fifty feet from
the surface Connelly felt that his
strength was giving way. He knew
that he could not hold out until the top
was reachedf aud made up his mind to
risk a bold stroke for life. Throwing
himself across the shaft he let go the
rope, and with wonderful dexterity and
good luck managed to lodge with his
back against the other. Thus braced he
managed to remain until the rope,
which had reached the mouth of the
shaft empty, was sent down to him, aud
he was rescued from his perilous posi
tion. Leadville Democrat.
The Old Man on the World's Wickedness.
Las' nlte as I was toastln' my heels
an' gwlne to sleep by de cook stove," be
gan the old man as the notes of the
Limekiln Club triangle died away, " de
old woman axed me if I didn't fink dis
world was growln' awful wicket. Dat
put me in mind of de fack dat almos'
ebery day I hear people sayin' dat dey
can't believed nobody nor trust nobody
any more, an' dat it am harder to find
an honest man dan it is to dlskiver wa
ter runln' up hill. Qem'len, Ize been
pokln' round dis world 'bout sixty y'ars
an' dis am me experience: 1. Dat a
man who groans obcr de general wick.
edness of de world will steal a wheelbar
row ebery time he gits a chance. 2. Dat
de man who goes 'round lamentin' dat
he can't trust nobody Is de , wery chap
who'll gin you away ebery time. 8. Dat
de persou who finks de world am full o'
cheats an' liars will trade you a blind
boss an' den sneak in de barn at mid
night an' steal all de shoes off his feet.
Dar's wicked folks on y'arth, but de
squar' thing will never run amiss of
squar' people. Ize got along so fur as
well as could be 'spected, an' de look
ahead am all serene. De only man I
shall look out for Is de man who was
bo'n fur an angel but growed up to w'ar
pants and butes. Detroit Free Press.
Workingmen,
Before you begin your heavy spring
work after a winter of relaxation, your
system needs cleansing and strengthen
ing to prevent an attack of Ague, BUI.
ious or Spring Fever, or some other
Spring sickness that will unfit you for a
season's work. : You will save time,
much sickness and great expense if you
will use one bottle of Hop Bitters in
your family this month. Don,t wait.
See another columu. 12 St
SIJLLE11&
COUGH
SYltUJPt
50 Years lioforo the Public !
Pronounced by all to be the most Pleasant
and efficacious remedy now In use, for the
euro of Constlid, Holds, Croup, Hoarseness,
Tickling sensation of the Throat, Whooping
Cough, etci Over a million bottles sold
within tue last few years. It gives relief
wherever used, and has the power to Impart
benefit that cannot be had from the cough
mixtures now In use. Bold by all Druggists at
25 cents per bottle.
SELLERS' LIVER FILLS
are also highly recommended for curing liver
complaint, constipation, elck-hcadachcs, fever
and ague, and all diseases of the stomach and
liver. Soldjby all by all Druggists at 25 cents
per box. 40 iy
It. E. SELLERS & CO., Pittsburg, Pa.
J. M. GmvtN.
J. II. Girvin
J. M. GIRVIN & SON.,
FLOUR, GRAIN, SEED & PRODUCE
Commission Merchants,
No. 64 South (Jay, St.,
BALTIMORE, MD.
We will pay strict attention to the sale of all
kinds of Country Produce and remit the amounts
promptly. 451vr.
J. M. GIRVIN & BON.
jypSSER & ALLEN
CENTRAL STORE
NEWPORT, PENN'A.
Now otter the public
A KAUK AND ELEOANT ASSORTMENT OI
DRESS GOODS
Consisting sf all shades suitable for the season
BLA CK ALP A CCAS
AND
Mourning Goods
- A SPECIALITY.
BLEACHED AND UNBLEACHED
MUSLINS,
AT VARIOU8 PRICES.
AN ENDLESS SELECTION OF PRINTS!
We sell and do keep a good quality of
SUGARS, COFFEES & SYRUPS
And everything under the head ol
GROCERIES !
Maohine Needles and oil for all makes of
Maouinas.
To be eonvlnced that our goods are
CHEAP AS THE CHEAPEST,
13 TO CALL AND EXAMINE STOCK.
No trouble to show Roods.
Don't forget the
CENTRAL STORE,
Newport, Perry County, Pa.
DRUGS.
DRUGS.
JACOB STRICKLER,
(Successor to Dr. M.B.8trlkler)
NEW- BLOOHFIELD, PENN'A.
HAVING succeeded the late firm of Dr. M. B.
Btrlckler In the Drug Business at his Store-room,
on MAIN 8TKKKT, two doors East of the Big
Spring, I will endeavor to make It in every way
worthy the patronage of the public.
Personal and strict attention AT ALL TIMES
given to the compounding and dispensing Physi
cians' presciptions. so as to Insure accuracy and
guard against accidents.
BEAB TS JIIM
that my stock has been recently selected and ear
taken to have everything of the BEST QUALI
TY. The public may rest assured that ALL med
icines that leave my store shall be as represented
-FUJiK and UNADULTERATED.
I IIATE CONSTANTLY 05 HAND
HAIK OIL and POMADES
liAIK, TOOTH and NAIL-BRUSHES.
BURGEONS, TOILET, and
CARRIAGE SPONGES,
PUFF BliXKS, TOILET POWDERS,
CA3T1LB and FANCY BOAPS.
PERFUMERY OF ALL KINDS,
Together with Fresh and Genuine Patent Medt
eiues of every description.
ALSO,
Segars, Tobacco, School Books, &c.
ORANGES, LEMON3 & BANANAS,
In season.
Pure Wines and Liquors for Medicinal
Purposes.
Terms, Strictly Cnsh.
By strict attention to business. I hope to mert
the eouudeuoe and favor of the public.
Aprua9,m. ,AC0B9TR,CKLKB'"-0-