The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-06-23
WO0DSF1ELD, MONROE COUNTY, OHO JUNE g. 1853

] worked hastily, but in silence. First
of all dismembered the corpse. I cut
off the head and the arms and the legs
I then took up three planks from the
aoorihs of the chamber, and deposited all
between the seantiings. then replaced
the boards SO cleverly, 50 cuuningly, that
no human eyc-not even his--could have
detected any thing wrong. There was
nothing to wash out--nO stain Of any
kind--no~ blood-spot whatever. I had
been too wary for that. A tub had caught
all--ha! hal
| When / had made an end of these Ia.
bors. it was four o'clock--stiIl dark as
midnight. AS the bell sounded the honr
there came knocking at the street door
| went down to open it with light heart.
flor what had ,,ow to fear? There enter
ed three men, who introduced themselves.
with perfect suavity. as officers ,f the
Ipolice. A shrek had been heard by a
neighbor during the night; SUSPICION Of
foul play had been aroused; Information
had been lodged at the police Office, and
+ they (the oficer) had been depuled to
search the premises. 9Tl+l 80
/ niled,--for ,chat had I to fear? I
babe the gentlemen welcome. The shrek
said, was my own in eiream. The old
man, I mentioned. was absent in the coun-
try. / took my visiters all over the house.
bade them search--search weR led
them. at length, to his chamber I show
ed them his treasures. secure, undisturbed.
In the enthusiasm Of my confidence, !
brought chairs into the room. and desired
them here to rest from their fatigues, while
I myself, in the wild audacity of my per-
feet triumph. placed my own seat upon
tthe very spot beneath which reposed the
corpse of the victim.
The officers were satisfied. My man.
ner had convinced them. ! was singu'a Iy
at ease. They sat, and while answered
cheerily, they chatted Of familiar things
But, ere long, felt myself getting pale
and wished them gone. My head ached,
and fancied a ringing in my ears: but
still they sat and Still chatted The ring.
ing became more distinct:--it continued
and became more distinct: talked more
freely to get rid of the feeling; bat 1t con-
tinued and gained defnitiveness--until,
at length, found that the noise was not
within my cars.
No doubt now grew cery pale;--but
talked more fluently, and with a height
ened voice. Yet the sound intreased--
and what could / do? It was a leao, daH,
quick sound-m,uch such a sound as a ,casch
makes sohen enreioped into cotton. gasp
ed for brea,h--an,l yet the officers heard
! it not. / talked more qnickly--more
vehemently; but the noise steadily increas-
red. arose and argued about triflcs. in
high key and with violent gesticulations;
but the noise steadily increased. Why
would they not be gone? I paced the
floor to and fro with heavy strides, as il
excited to fury by the observations Of the
men--but the noise steadily increased.
Oh God! what could I do? I foamed--I
r4yed--l sworel swung the chair upon
which l had been sitting. and grated 1t
upon the boards, but the noise arose over
all and continually increased. 1t grew
louder --louder--budsr! And still the
men chatted pleasantly, and smiled. Was
it possible Iney heard not? Almighty God!
no. no! They heard!--they suspectedl-
they kne,c! they were making q mockery
Of my horror!--this ! thought. and this
I think But anything was better than
this agonyl Anything was more tolerable
than this derision! ] could beer those
hypocritical smiles no longer! / felt that
l must scream or die!--and now--again!
hark! louderl louder! Ioudcr!-
"Villains!" I shrieked, 'dissemble no
more! I admit the deedl-tear up the
planks!- here. hcre!-it is the beating of
his hideous hearth" .-7