t incumbent. His
personal habits were unexceptionable, so far as known, and every one
with whom John Manning conversed upon the subject, were loud in his
praises. In the social circles of the town, he was an acknowledged
favorite; he was a fair musician, was a member of the choir in the
leading church of Geneva, and a teacher in the Sunday-school. His
handsome face and pleasing manners gained for him a host of friends, and
his companionship was eagerly sought by the young people with whom he
associated. The young ladies were particularly partial to his society,
and it was stated that he was engaged to be married to a beautiful young
lady of the town, whose father was one of the wealthiest men in the
country round about. At the bank, he was held in high esteem by both the
officers and directors, and Mr. Silby's affection for him amounted
almost to the love of a father for a favorite child. From infancy to
manhood his name had never been associated with aught that was injurious
or degrading, and among all the young men of Geneva, Eugene Pearson
stood highest in public esteem and general favor.

The result of these inquiries were not calculated to strengthen the
doubts which had been formed of young Pearson's participation in this
robbery, and yet the suspicion remained unchanged, and we determined to
await developments before yielding our opinions to what seemed to be a
pressure of circumstances.

In the meantime, William had not been idle in the city. Ascertaining the
name of the firm for which Newton Edwards was traveling, and determined
to satisfy his mind upon this point, he dispatched an operative to the
business house to which he had been referred. The result of this inquiry
was that Mowbray, Morton & Co., the firm with which Edwards had at one
time been engaged, stated that he had severed his connection with them a
short time before, and since then had done nothing for them, but had
been traveling for another house on the same street, and they believed
he was the junior partner of the firm. Inquiry at this house elicited
the information that Edwards had retired from this firm, and had
connected himself with a large eastern house, which dealt extensively in
fruits and a general line of groceries. At this place, however, several
items of information were gleaned which were of importance. The
gentlemen connected with this establishment were very well acquainted
with Newton Edwards, of whom they spoke in the highest t