Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-09-25
g GBrillmg Storg.
MARY CARROLL.
THE LOST CLASP-KNIFE.
CHAPTER I.

THE MURDER-AN ARREST.
1t was wild, rugged scene, near the west
ern shore of Lough Neagh, in the county of
Tyrone, and in the northern part of ireland.
To the left, stretching away from the banks
of the lake, was a dark bog, over which, in
close-tangled masses, grow the rank morass
wildwood. 1t was just at night that a way
worn pedlar entered on the dubious foot
track that led through the bog; and from
the confidence with which he walked it, one
might have supposed that he had travelled it
often. His way was towards Londonderry,
and as he found himself in the midst of the
gloomy wildwood, he began to whistle slow
tune by way of enlivening the scene. At
some spots, where the hanking of the little
shrubbery was quite scarce, the ground trem-
bled and shook beneath the pedlar's tread,
but he felt sure, or knew that he was in the
right track, and he kept steadily on.
Not long after he had disappeared from
sight, in the intricate windings of the path,
any one standing upon the edge of the bog
might have heard sudden rustliug of the
distant wildwood, as though some one had
rushed hastily through it. Then came
scufie, cry ofpain, few deep groans, and
then, for few moments all was still. Ia
five minutes more there was another rustling
in the bushes, heavy fall, and ere long,
man emerged from the bog path and stood
few seconds upon the hard ground. He was
not the pedlar, yet he bore in his hand the
pedlar's pack. He gazed cautiously around
him, and being satisfied all was safe, he step
ped little out of the way, seated himself
upon the grass, opened the pack, and began
to overhaul the contents.
Course his empty pack!' muttcred the
man, as he seemed to have examined all the
contents. "I've done that job for nothing
I've sold my soul for miserable podge of old
women's trumpery."
The speaker started nervously up, for he
heard a noise in the bog, and with hasty
step hurried off toward a small village that
lay upon the borders of the lake to the south
ward
Not long after the man had left the emp
tied pack, there came up from the bog path
another man, and he bore body in his arms.
When he reached suitable place, he laid
his burden upon the grass. 1t was the bloody
corpse of the pedlar.
Poor Magduhl!' muttered the young man,
for young he was-'who could have had the
heart to take your life? There could have
been but few more years for you on earth,
and surely they might have left you those.
And what's this? Thy pack, as live
Holy saints, they've taken your last breath
for the paltry store you carried; and it can't
have been long, either, for your blood is warm
from your heart
The young man knelt down and pulled
apart the bits of lace and ribbons, the pin
papers, and the little cushions, and while he
yet gazed yacantly upon them, at the same
time murmured sadly to himself, he was
started by heavy tread of feet behind him.
He looked up and saw three stout men
standing over him.
'Coney Drake p said one of them, in tones
of rank astonishment Good God, is this
you?'
yes, it is me, returned the young man,
rising to his feet, sand this
He stopped and turned pale with fear
The idea came laundering upon him that he
might be thought the murderer He read
the conviction in the face of the men who
had found him in his present situation.
'Ah, Coney, no wonder you hesitate. We
never could have thought this of you
Believe what ? wildly exclaimed the
young man.
Look at this ? slowly returned the other,
pointing to the body of the pedlar.
Il see it. 1t is poor old Magduhl; but [
did not murder him. I call on God to wit
ness that I had no hand in it.
Don't call on God with iein your mouth,
Coney Drake. Look at your hands. Look
at your hands. They're all bloody. And
feel of the corpse-it's warm
Il found it in the bog. I was coming
home from the other side, and stumbled a.
gainst it, and brought ii tup here. No hand
of mine harmed him.
But the pack, Coney, what were you do
ing with that?
1T was here-just where laid the body
sAnd the things? You were making
mighty free with 'em when We were COM
ing up, Coney.'
Il only was looking to see what
Don't hesitate
well, it was natural curiosity that made