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fianta CarrcsjtotoL. j

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY OF THE…

THE CUSTOMERS AT OUR SHOP!

A HINT TO VOLUNTEERS.

A SKETCH OF THE POPE IN PUBLIC…

A PERSECUTED PRIEST.

----------.----.----A, FRENCH…

PARLIAMENTARY SCRAPS.

A MYSTERY TO BE UNRAVELLED.

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A MYSTERY TO BE UNRAVELLED. Little more than three years ago the murder of an aged couple, attended with circumstances of great atrocity, was perpetrated in the rural and secluded vil.age of Bolton-upon-Dearne. On the night of the 4th of December, 1856, it will be remembered that Luke White, an aged person who was the village postmaster, and kept a small druggist's shop, and was a local preacher, while apparently engaged in preparing his sermon for the following Sunday, heard some one come to his shop door, and on going to see what was wanted he was knocked down and ruthlessly murdered. His wife, hearing a noise in the shop, appeared, while going along the passage leading from the house into the shop to see what was the matter, to have been met and also murdered, both bodies being found wel- tering in a large pool of blood in the forenoon of the next day. No traces of robbery having been com- mitted were visible, and the affair was enshrouded in the most impenetrable mystery. Although every effort was made by Colonel Cobbe and the superintendent of the neighbouring division of constabulary, and large rewards offered, not the slight- est clue could be found to the perpetrators of the horrid crime, and the coroner's inquest, after sitting for a considerable time, was obliged to return an open verdict. The only person to whom the finger of suspicion pointed was the village constable, but no object could be shown, nor could the slightest evidence be adduced to in any way connect him with the dreadful deed; but, on the contrary, it was shown that the deceased had been one of his warmest supporters, and had that day been engaged in getting up a memorial to Colonel Cobbe, in favour of the constable being permanently stationed in the village. However, nothing coming to light, he left the village, and has since been living in anxious ex- pectation that something would turn up to unravel the mystery. Recently, however, we are glad to say (says the Times), circumstances have transpired which are likely to throw some light upon the tragedy. On the day the murder was committed a hawker was said to have been in the village of Bolton, vending caps and small wares, but no clue could be obtained to him afterwards nor could he in any way be connected with the com- mission of the deed. During the past week an Irish hawker, who is said to be undergoing six years' penal servitude at Portsmouth, has made certain statements to a companion relative to the affair. These were communicated to the governor of the gaol in which he is undergoing his imprisonment, and information has since been forwarded to the superintendent of the West Riding constabulary at Doncaster. The hawker, who has pointed out the guilty parties, states that although he himself did not commit the murder, he was in the house when the murdered couple were lying dead on the floor. The names of the perpetrators have not yet been made known, neither has the nature of the confession, further than what has been stated, although we understand the hawker completely exone- rates.the constable from any participation in. the mur- der. The police are now, however, making strict inquiries, with a view to the affair being unravelled, and it is hoped that the mystery in which the tragedy has so long been enveloped will soon be cleared away.

AN ODD PARLIAMENTARY SCENE.

A GOOD TIME COMING! '

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