Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1855-05-05
PAQUEMINE PARISH OF IBERVII.LE LA. MAY s. 1855.
than she puts pepper-corns into her mock.

A general yell of approval greeted this nov
ell proposition, amid which Tom gravely pro.
ceeded to sketch what he called remarkably
Harry Pierce sat to work to load the pistols
When Harry had finished, he exclaimed first
shot for his pains; which Tom claimed for the
same reason. insisting that as he had set ur
the windmill, he ought to tilt at it. A mock
alteration followed, which was finally settled
by toss up, which Harry won. He grasped
the pistol accordingly, and fired.
A noise of something followed. The con-
cussion had disturbed the body, which, in fal.
ling, had struck side shelf, and overturned
some books. We all started. Needham, how.
ever, did not notice it, and presenting his pis-
tol, fred again, but entirely too low, exclaim.
ing when he saw the result, "There's ball in
her ladyship's calf, by Jupiter"
Harry turned to me as white as ashes, and
said. "Did you hear arything!'
Il did," replied, "ths ball from your pistol
and be hanged to you, has upset some Of my
books, | suppose"
sOh, my Gody'' exclaimed Harry, II have
terriable presentiment. Suppose my brother
should have hid himself in the closet" And
he sank down on the chair as he spoke. We
gathered round him; and Tom Needham burst
into . fit Of laughter.
@ ~Upon my soul" said he, "you are worse
than the bakers daughter" Here he cried, in
a squeaking tone, aIf l were TO be married,
and were to have little baby, and it were to
come here and to get into the oven and be
burned to death-boo-boo!'' Then resumng
bis natural tone, he exclaimed, "You are the
most ridiculous fools, the whole of you,I ever
saw. Have you any brandy in your den! l
must have little to revive me, after this scene.
You'd better give Harry some. Lord knows
he needs it." t
My heart throbbed with strange delight.
The web of my difficulties was being rapidly
unraveled-my escape was almost certain; but
what il they should discover the fracture!
walked boldly forward to the closet, and placing
my hand on the catch>knob, said: "In order
to dissipate your doubts, will open the mys-
terry" As spoke threw the door wide open.
Mine was an affected shout, but not SO that
of the resi-. l shall never forget the wild
shrek of despair which left the bosom of Har.
ry Pierce, as be knelt forward and raised the
body Of his brother, nor the terrible tones of
that hoarse whisper, in which he said, "l'm a
Cam-God forgive my follyl" and then he sank
into the arms Of Tom Needham. ~
My companions examined the body. The
ball of Harry had evidently gone through his
heart. The absence Of blood was at once ac-
counted for BY inward bleeding, and as we
were examining the body, we heard the shrill
voice of our hostess lady outside scolding be-
cause we were firing pistols and shrieking in
our room.
A debate now ensued in regard to the dis.
posal Of the dead body. knew that the blow
on the head would be discovered, If the thing
was divulged, and at once suggested that we
had better bury the body secretly. told them
that it could be packed in the long box which
lay there; and that one of Us could meet the
conveyance out Of town, take it to some out
Of the way spot, where l would assist to bury
the body. In the meanwhile, Needham could
purchase coffin and other necessary materials,
~ though to send it off to the country, and at
night we could bury it.
Harry Pierce made no opposition; he was in.
capable of anything. The plan was carried
out as suggested, and each parted. The rest
were convinced, and are still, that brother
bad been the unwilling murderer Of brother.
Harry Pierce died last year in madhouse. and
am here, twenty years after, with gray hairs
On my head, and an unclouded reputation, to
tell You the tale.