Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 June 1899 — AUNT HANNAH'S SECRET. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AUNT HANNAH'S SECRET.

By H. E. Scott.

CHAPTER IX. ft was midday when the detective enu. treed the door of his home after the in<neat was over. There was a tbnaghtfwl look on his face, ■ad it was necessary for his wife to address him twice before he answered her. “The jury of inquest, Why don't ysu answer me? Did they hold Robert Campbell for trial?" “Yes; I will be ready in a moment, Martha —in a moment. Has Calhan returned? 1 gave him a commission.” “The decision of the jury of inquest, Lans? Did they hold Robert Campbell for trial? You are dreaming again.” “Oh! Yes, certainly, wife; they held him for trial." “Poor Mrs. Campl»e)l. Toor daughter, and poor Robert. 1 don’t believe he is gailty, Lang.” “Time will tell, wife.” “I know you don’t think so. Yon are not satisfied. You have another mystery •a your hands. I can tell when you are parried.” “Where is Willie, wife?’ “There he comes in at the gate now. Since I put trousers on him 1 can’t keep him in the house.” •Come here, you rascal!” cried Lang, as he threw open the door, and in a moment more he was tossing the urchin up to the ceiling. “I goin’ do that. papa,” he said, when hts father placed him on the floor. “Do what, son?” “Toss up the kids when I get to be a great big detective.” “Kids? What are kids, Willie?” “Why, the boys—l’m a kid." “Better put the dress back on him again, wife. We don’t want any kids in ■w family.” “TYen I won’t be a kid, papa.” “That’s right, son—never be a kid. But Calhan, wife; has he returned T' “He was in the kitchen scouring up your revolvers a few minutes ago. He had quite an arsenal there. But come, let Calhan go until after dinner. It is on the table now." “As you say, wife. You are the ruler of this domain.” After dinner was over, returned to his office, filled his long-stemmed pipe, lighted it and seated himself at his desk. “Let's see,” he muttered. “To-day is the nineteenth of August. Court convenes the fifteenth of September—less than a Month. Well, there is plenty of time, or should l<e. and then, the case is not apt •o be called at once. Calban! Calhan!” “Here I is. Mars Lang!” exclaimed the ' aegro, as he entered the room, a bundle -.trier his arm. “Well, did you find an opportunity to go through the barn while the inquest was going on?” “Adam was at de house watchin' de jury, and Ben. de stable boy, was in de kitchen. I reckon I went frou’ dat barn, from de sills up, Mars Lang. What you tiok I find?” “I can’t tell, Calban; but if there was anything there of a suspicious nature, you would bp sure to find it, I know.” “Colly, Mars Lang, I’s got a clue! Look yere!”

With a quick movement Calban tore • way the pajter covering from the package he ha| held under his arm. “A bloody shut!” he exclaimed, as he held die garment up before the detective. “And a hickory shirt, at that,” said Mellars, taking the garment from his bands and spreading it out on the flat top »f his desk. “Yes,” he continued, “blood! Biomi. surely, both on the right sleeve and the shirt bosom. That on the bosom the wearer tried to wipe off, and as a result spread it over a greater surface. A bloody •flirt! You found it in the li*ni?" “Yes, Mars Lang—in a barrel in de harness room.” “A suspicious circumstance at this time. TVhy. there are spots all over the bosom, ns if they had squirted there from some jet of blood suddenly turned loose. In a barrel in the harness room, yon say ? Was the barrel covered, the shirt secreted?” “A set of harness was hanging over de barrel, Mars, and some empty grain sacks was on top of it. I moved de grain sacks, aad foun’ dis shut on top of a lot of ole currycombs and brushes. 1 took de shut, sad kivered up de barrel. 1 ’spec’ it's Adam’s shut.” *. “Or Ben’s,” observed the detective. “Golly, ’tain’t Beu's, Mars Lang. I»at •hat too big fer Ben.” “True, but it is not one of Adam's driving shirts. Ths banker would not have showed him to mount the box of his carriage with that shirt on.” “I allow. Mars, dat dat shut is one of h<« wokin’ shuts, what he wears 'bout de barn—dat’s what I calcerlate.” “You may be right, Calban. At any rate, this blood, in places, is hardly Cry. It has not been many hours since it came from the veins of living man or beast. You bare found a clue, Calban! A due! Had you talked with Adam before the inquest tontmenced?” “Yes, Mars Lang, and Adam worried mightily. He say be los’ de bes* master a nigger eber had, and he 'test hmself mightily ’dignant, dat anybody kill him.”: ‘Did you learn where he claimed to be at the time the murder must have been committed?” J “Adam courtin’ a nigger gal What belong to Dr. Freeman, on Front street; she his cook. I spec’ dat’a why Adam courtin’ her—nigger mighty fond sorbin’ good to eat Well, Adam clar’ he dur. in Dr. Ffleman’s kitchen till ten o’dock. Ibni be 'lows he went home, and went to sleep tv de bam, and de fust ting be knowed wen was when he year Cue’ Duke callin' Of him. Dat’s what he claim.” “Did you ever bear Adam make -any remarks about Herman Craven?” “Dun know nntthin’ ’bout de nigger. Mars Lang. He say dis mornin' Mars Herman mighty oberbearin’, and he spect he done eat be sweet bread, now he ole iwaster dead. Nigger mighty ’ceil ml some •White men as well, Calbmi.” imS of“ w’X? •-

dcr his training 0 stauM awft suppne Ite could have UDtNOumh iqp trite wwritaioni te necessarily must Ihawr Hiafi to tew sttritem in on his master amfi swudk tritatt btore„”' j thoutftat Selters. “Triw. Chanwtn might have promisfd] Hinn Bus ffimwfthm. tatt it fin by no moan* (certain ntait sftintr»trite property <ff Affirm. anifl ffiy nm muan» tain that the qilacnfl iit iin Uta taawH!” For tae immutes Ota MMfete soft pomduring the imailtor aw unfi gasuiug (ffiwa on the bltmdy ignrtnmC Htrffirre ffiim. SUiir denty be turned to trihr nugw/i: “What is ‘rite mume iff trite nwgnwss- (took eff Tfc. IFrermunte??" lhe aritefi. “She <call ffiomtf dhifly Ftesimun—Dfc Freeman raise Hint.'” “Well, yon Ihawr « www tmtharrlte. ‘Calhan—<a terr bile ttfwt&adhr!!” The negro wriimofi. **tto to I'tr. ffhteumun. mill Hite I sung you for sometbiug to luisr your toMffi. She this girt, •Cmfly., mnd ih> your w*m way as<ccrtain ff Affirm was iritere Item nigs£ amt it sn, aS wffiat time be torik Ibis dtapuartntcei. Yon understand??" “Yes. Mars Long. I tnntawtntxT.. I twill her 3 hoar flat Affirm. <&* <ranutamn> off <ffi rich bnriher ndhiC fgrtt Balli, OTurtin’ bar. HShe Itek dirt. Iffitn site ■ssy: ‘Me. D»Roaserte wear lhew Has’ ingM." ©th. H ttaaiit om.” •Well, teftur you Ibnwr uNusntoinmß that! go to tte ’bauibur’s. Yun may tte alitel»> see Hannah without unffume alter obHerwing yon;; iff so, toll Hun- to <muhf Itetre att nine o'dltok tomgffit. '♦lhimji. ffinr ffiw minr utes. toftfaoUt ttlhe Hsuiwdkdtoe off anyone about l!he qisentees. “AHtor nitec Ikwip your tfjwost rai Affixm unr til dark, unknowu to Ibim. Wattoh His- «w----ery mwomeirt. Bite aiarritejje will probably mrt hie out todtey- Snow iff Ahum goes to tte thnme, ailsn iff Bftimnnm Oraixon visits the Horan, «nd tet Hteff purdt oigjbz toll Adam that I widh to see Hinn Marik well: hw he Tecetees tte news, ainß bring; Hum 'here with yon. Ito mrtt tat ttaim xiisii tdtoe house ar ioawe your ijwejunme affhtur you have delivorea this nnessuge until! tte stands tefltee ime iin this nwwnn. I shmlll teffinsy‘until that time. Yowmu® gennw.. Yon lhave done wdll.’” •‘Tatek you, Massa!! My twuff ami Hop> pin’ ricflrt mow,’’ and CtefitMii. wiidh one hand Ot ibis [ponderous jjam. ffifflt tte roonn The tatottow iqneiud ttmu> nuwspaoens over the •Shirt, qila <»<• d stwt nail buwffis am tx>p <ff Atom, and Hrtft tte aiffitst. limiting; dte door taffiind ibim. “This un«y <ar mmy mitt Hw am iinouctant Clue,” lhe thoudbt. ats Hit tmuffi* ffiis wgy downtown. "A#lhinst,iitiisuiuettitecmiust be tallowed up 1 aurntt mscatttum. and! t»> a certahfty, Hmw a dbittt uff tte mqgxe Adam taiiQwned to Hmur Bibied status at this critical ttem. IPor mtgiili I ttnuw thelife blood ‘Of tte ftumltatr marite iR, andl Adam, the cnatlbnum, iis trite auuumpliuu of the villain wUn< iruug tribe <&uur ffidll.”'

•caiAff’ttrac x. Al eight o'dodk trite anhunedl bis Office, mud Uijjtawdi trim tnwii liunqs trinff it contained. He lluifi traio Uwtgp mnwUvans <m oue corner -iff this <dedk mull Awsiifir triatm ptaicvd a ipuir Of ifaunfltuffis, sllmtttlhs umli a coil «ff trtQie. “A Jarmitfartde itntrjvy,’” the uibiugftc a* M covered tfhem witth a guqi«E. '‘’An® wiir nary nun's Maws wvndld qjusii* iim&tr him at sitfitt iff Tibet Unyma. Itt mill nwc b« difficult tto (Attain a -ointesaiiini fltwnn Jkftwu, if ihr did tihe deed. Aiufi triwn;, t»i> wwanw anetwork around ttihe thenn off s&<nmtuii Eha.ven.” He wm -MMttcd nit lilts dtasfi wAwn, rhe dour ■qjH'ned, tmii CliiUiun uomilmtudl Clin sable cuadinisn iirtto tria- rhhl Adami wws « nitil Marik tuigjro off. purr haps, thirty yenrs utf :«pr.. off niwlium> staffing, wwd a flair Tjupe Uh- llotliteil. ats Me stnwifi there, dressed iin trim linwny off Allwhi DtUoMffte, iff tAh- (ilffttniH- «t>wnhtmun bufore The Marik trace tramnirifiiatatll There -wwe a Ihiiik -iff «tmtinHity.. huff tu»C ■off 'tear. -on Sils AAaiA flaw ms ttltar i&tetrtiimie said: “Khune fftirwmrii. Aftwm. ami! stand before tikis -Bisik.” The tiregrti Ulifi am. ■“A ilttrie unore tin trite Itafltu Aiinut -cight opposite itoe -iniwwr. Ttatim, ttibatt will! tihi How -onme yon mirii yumr Umanyt um me “SKsae 1 ihcon spetUm' owßras t» gum- tip and hiring <de -imimiage <«tm ail! dhiy., Imng. U tuuslta 'Aiy miictat wumn iff iin * harry and 0 wvtuilß Ah- mnuftj-.. 1 jjns tail! Benlie could ttWhe-dt'limtuHsisoffl Uh lunges when I !hff dr Ibatm.'” Auilkwr you go ilty ttiht- mnnii off AilhmUMHoeMtar? You trawmr Audi an® utitat master iib«m Alhiin OMBmatate?” “Sa, Mms lamp, tun, :n»A H nuAbotr ’sqm:' to have as good a one mgun. Tirur aim mo mii’ hik Hurs Alhrin.” “Then why, you villainous wretch, did you murder him?” exclaimed the detective, springing to his feet, his black eyes flashing and seemingly piercing to the negro's soul, as with a sudden movement he snatched the papers from the desk. Adam was nanaUyand. Am aaiham uabur ovwipwmd Ms Marik tSmttuwß. Hbslkiwes Mmdhidl toguffmt. His uyns: wrane- ffiaadi on ‘Chose <<tf The idritwtsiw., Baffin* wtAnan many a ninrßurrtr had QUMikeff fife- «n----deavored tc sptttlk, Mil Ibis Hips emiiit»d me sound. “SmhA on ttihr Hwidrana- uff ymur gjulh. Adam DrHmaami! not act tmeT’ The negro's «wrs tFiiliiww.il trim* «fi Ssfrlars. und Dhe Mrft uAijuttt trine unrtt Ms Bosmwmrd gene was a BOraffy gainuumk thut thorns Ihtffn* Bmd twated em bis own Umdk. 1 “My mg slbiC!! WUm-wfeur ytmn gad BUT sffitft, Hurs Imng?” Me nmttrremft, im smprise, almost ffurgrttrnhig M» sudtetn “Yun admit triutt triw sAifftt iis yumrs. Adam JDe®osrtt»o. WMtrae dd yon pita* St dfwr you tad uwnqwttrjfted jj'iiur Soil! crime?” “ff-diput-aat Murneos room iff Ae Mmm, wMwr I Mwp» my durty floss, and tt Bwwnwfl At tqp wild leuns numlai * Mill trrniu rmgrh, mwr*' aitnig. •iinWfr 0 iwll! rhioteftns Hftsuuaih * k JU&sui •M-Mn astMuoßtetewawßu? Wl*,*

dtetai whM 1 km fer Aunt Hannah. Iteahk dr stiefc of cord wood now, right tact, off <te kitehen, whar I cut dar heads «£. Bar waa three of dem. Ona wan a eoostaA amt affix’* you born, Mara Lang, wdtem I dhp his haid, de rascal flew right •gin. Bats here, and da blood squirt all ober my shat. Hannah say she could kill chicken better dan dat, when I han dem to her. Pwtfh what make me put dat shut in de barrel,, kaae ’twas a clean shut dat mornBL Lord, how you skeer me, Mars Lang! I earn, scaaaiy stand up. Fer de Lawd’s Baffin, wha’ yon gwine do wid dem ’volvers and dena otter tings? De Lawd hab merey on Adam! You’s got a rope, too!” Dowa on his knees sank the negro With “Thera, there! Get up, Adam, get up,” eried Sellars, who saw how far from having a cine to the banker’s murder he was. “What did I tell you, Calban?” he said, turning to that individual. “I knew I eottid frighten him out of his wits. Get ugs Adam, 1 only wished to show Calban stair you were not as brave as he thought job. He has been boasting that if you Had slept in the house you would have fought for your master’s life.” “l-Fd a it till I died. Mars Lang,” sobbed the negro, giving a deep sigh of relief as he arose to his feet; “but whar yoa get dat shut?” “Oh, 1 had to have that to carry out my pliin. It was easy to obtain it—l know they had chickens for dinner at your master's yesterday.”

“Fer de Lawd’s sake!” “Tos». and I know you were courting Cindy Freeman, and spent the evening of the night of the murder with her in Dr. i Fteeman’s kitchen!” “Lawdl Is you got any ting agin dat, Mrs. Lang?” “Nothings Adam, nothing. And now, I mind; yotu not a word to a living soul that : you have been here; not a word of what has passed.” “Sot one. Mars Lang. But did you suspiriotx affix’ nus dat I kill ole massa?” “Pshaw, have better sense, Adam. Was : not Robert Campbell held for the murder, | and is he not now in jail?” ' “Yes, Mars Lang, he is; but I Joan’ beliebe dry has got de right man.” “Whom do your suspicions rest on, tofrin?” “1 ain’t got none, Mars Lang—l dunno.” “Who have yon had occasion to drive about town the oftenest in the carriage after dark during the past year, Adam?” “Why, Mars Herman,” said the negro, ’ limbing uneasily toward the door. “Ole massa was never out nights, dat is, scace- ‘ Hf-’” “So. yon have driven Herman Craven : ant nights?” “Yes, Mars Lang, often. Sometimes, moonlight nights, to de sound, where a lot ■ off young gemmens would go fer a frolic, and sometimes ’bout town. Often he keep ma standin’ wid de carrige till midnight.” “Where, Adam?” “Well, if you believe me, Mars Lang, rnos- eberywhar. But whar my team is stMwlin. he ain’t dar. He just tell me to wait dar.” “Where does he go?” “Mars Herman not lak a nigger much, no. how, and I skeered to say much ’bout him. I wuz alweys skeered he’d swade, ote massa to sell me; he said he could.” -did. did he? Well, your master is I dead You are not Herman’s property, and never will be. Your mistress will not sell you; and I promise to be your friend. Nbw, have no fear.” "Tank de Lawd! Well, he goes a heap oh plnees a young gemmen ought not to go,. Mars Lang; but de place he goes de i oftenest to is what dey calls de ‘Planters Rest,’ down on Water street. Dey says diißs.gamblin' goin’ on dar. upstairs—what dtey calls towlet' and ‘fario’ and ‘poker.’ " “•Yes,, yes, I know the place. So he often has. been there until midnight? When was he there last?” "De las I knows of was 'bout a week ago. You know, he don’t always take de earrigs downtown.” “Does he take those young bloods out with him in the carriage, occasionally?” "Why, he hab it full sometimes, when dfry goes to di; sound, and dey generally has a ease or two ob brandy and wine, and has awful times.” “Are there any that he is especially friendly with?" “He friendly wid all on em, Mars Lang —all: dat set. I spect Ward Taylor was line- of his ehums till you trail him down tier de Mulberry murder.” "Undeed! Has he ever brought any of these- parties to the house?” “Xb. Mars Lang he dassent do dat, fer fi&ar ob ole marster.” “You are sure that you have never seen one of them in your master's house?” “l'’«rtain. Mars Lang! Certain!” <To be continued.)