The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-02-04

StIlClJ udilp Sii Ih ti' " 40
but an inviting one to spend the night in
The only thing that looked at all cheering
was the stove, in which fire was burning
brightly. About ten feet from the stove,
standing about three feet apart were two
TRUSTEES, on which was placed a fat board.
On this board was placed the body of
the murderer, covered over with sheet.
l must confess when I entered this
gloomy apartment | felt an Involuntary
shiver running through me, which | was
ashamed to confess to myself. The con-
fined heavy atmosphere appeared to exert
a depressing influence on the nervous sys-
tenn, and began almost to repent of my
foolish wager. l strove, however against
this silly feeling, as called it, and repeat
ed over to myself several times the words,
carbon hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen.
| succeeded at lastin diSpeling, in q meas
ure. my uncomfortable feelings.
There was only one chair in the apart
ment, of which | Immediately took pos
session, and lighting Il cigar, began to
puff at it furiously, and tried to persuade
myself that | was very jolly.
All at once sudden desire seized me
to 90 and examine the mnrderer's body.
| tried to combat it, but it was irresistible
| felt that must see what my companion
was like You see | had already com
menced to consider him something more
than ultimate elements.
took up the lamp and advanced be-
side the bier. | turned down the cloth
that covered the body but l saw sight
more horrible than l had ever seen before
or since His features were so altered
as not to be dstinguishable. His tongue
protruded from his mouth, and his eyes
were bursting out of their sockets His
face was black, absolutely black. There
appeared to be hdeous sneer on his
lips, and could allnostj fancy he turned
his eyes upon me. A black rim was round
his neck showing distinctly where the in
Strument of death had been applied
His muscular development was very great,
proving he had been strong, powerful
man. | shivered with horror as I gazed,
and then shrank back from this hideous
sight.
A voice appeared to whisper in my
ear, ''Whcre are your carbon, hydrogen
and oxygen now?''
| reseated myself by the stove with my
back to the body, and cndeavored to think
of something else, but his horrible features
haunted me still I almost fancied that
he was sitting upright on his bier The
my chair so as to face the body again.
| had forgotten to replace the sheet over
him, and the moment | turned round his
black congested features met my eye. BY
a strong effort rose up and again ad-
vanced to the body. took up the COW
ering which had fallen on the ground, and
replaced it over his head; while so doing
the peculiar form of his hands arrested
my attention. They were exceedingly
large and bony. Each of the finger joints
were wider than the rest of the finger,
showing that his hands had been endowed
with great strength. | shnddcred when
saw them, for the particulars of his last
crime, and the one indeed which brought
him to the scalfold rushed into my mind.
| returned TO my seat by the stove my
thoughts filed with his last fearful crime
| recalled the manner in which he had
accomplished the death Of his victims
and could we'll understand how he had
been able TO effect his purpose with such
strong hands as he must have possessed
remained musing thus an indefinite
time 80 me, for was SO wrapt up in my
thoughts, that could not tell whether il
had been ten minutes or an hour | re.
member Of suddenly turning my eyes tC
the murderer's body, and fancied that
saw the cloth covering him move.
No, it could not be, it was only hal
iucination of my senses, and endeavored
to chase away the idea Again l thought
| saw the covering move-there was nc
mistake about it this time-the fact was
lplaiuly visible to my senses l gazed
horror stricken-I could feel the blood re.
ceding from my cheeks. The movement
in the covering continued. Oh, heavens
what was that I saw? One of his long
bony hands projecting beyond the sheet =
the fingers convnlsively optning and clos
ing in the palm of his hand. was be
numbed and could not move hand or foot
but could only gaze in mute horror at the
terrific spectacle.
| Slowly the body of the murderer ros,
to a sitting posture, and glared aroult
/ the room. His features appeared tcl
times more hideous than ever His fac,
remained as black as it was hefore-ant
1.-THE lower! jaw was hanging down. Th
! hideous monster had found me out Whel
he saw ME-, devilish smile crossed l.i
features, and he, gibbered and glared a
me Ike a maniac, He continued to wor
his hands convulsively 1 remained spel
bound and could notutter word.
The murderer continued his hideou
contortions for some minutes, when wha
was my horror to see him slowly get
ting off the board on which he had bee
placed Yes, could see his leg emerg