The Shasta courier., 1863-05-02
SHASTA COURIER.
The Murdered Traveller, or the Wife's
Secret

there is small village, the inhabitants of
which are about fifty years behind the age
The principal store Of the place was kept by
Solomon White, who, by the by, was great
man among the villagers. He was chairman
of all public meetings, and was looked upon
as possessing more knowledge than be was in
fact aware Of himself. However, be knew a
great deal-for he scns MARRIED. His wife
was good enough iI her own way, but on one
point they could never agree; he was man
of very few words-she was woman whose
delight was talking.
One evening, when the shadows of night
had stolen over the world, Mrs. White was
anxiously awaiting her husbands arrival
Never before had he stayed so late, and of
course her mind was forming reasons for his
delay. At last he entered, and without no.
ticing his wife, sat down in large chair,
bearing on his countenance the marks of de-
jection.
" You look worn out, Sol, = said his better
Yes, am,' he replied, in a melancholy
q Come then, eat your supper; you must
be hungry"
81 wish nothing to eat, my dear"
Good gracious nothing to eat! Why,
what has come over the man-are you sick?"
Beyond the reach of medicine"
Now, do. Sol, take a few Of Brandreth's
pills tonight, and tomorrow you will be
WE'LL"
Woman" said Sol, g talk not to me so.
Can medicine cure guilty conscience?-
Hark what noise is that? Even now the
officers of the law may be searching for me;"
and as the poor fellow spoke, he buried his
face in his hands, and his frame shook with
emotion. sssta
As Mrs. White gazed upon her husband.
and noted his actions, the thought intruded
that he was taking leave of his senses, and
therefore she asked if he was going mad.
ssMad ~ was the reply, no would to
God we're. This gnawing of remorse will
soon make me SO, however; wretch, wretch
that am"
s. Solomon, what on earth is the matter?"
task me not If / tell you, you will fly
from me-"
'Neverl So open your heart and tell me
alln
But you will leave me, and who knows
but you will be the first to expose my guilt"
'sAnd so you have committed a crime"
IS have. What noise is that? alas, how
conscience makes me coward"
Heavens ~ exclaimed Mrs. White, be-
coming alarmed; land SO you think l will
proclaim your guilt, your wife! Why,
Solomon, you surprise me-"
"Well, my dear, you know your failing
you are aware of your nature and remem-
Der what tell you places my life in your
hands. Now, Knowing these facts, can you
keep secret of life and death ~
$50 help me Heaven, can and will"
6 will trust you. Come near me, SO that
may whisper it, that not even the air may
catch the sound. lam murderer!"
g Murderer ~ shrieked Mrs. White, "good
God, they will hang you!''
g Yes, if they discover me. But you, of
course, will tell no enc. Let not even your
looks betray me. You will not tell ?'
8. Not 1. But who did you murder?"
"a poor traveller" --s
r "What could have induced you?'
'~-" He had pack on his shoulders-ask no
more.n r
nAnd you killed him? ?''
81 did the horrid deed.o
"And where is the pack for which you
have stained your hands with blood?
II was disappointed in its contents, and
wishing DO evidence against me, | buried it
with the vietim.o
"Mons-'
Mrs White had not time to finish her sem
tence, for her tongue was palsied by a knock
ing at the door. Solomon trembled like an
aspen leaf, while he muttered-" Officers, ;"
but mastering up his courage, he opened the
door.
1t proved 10 be only a neighbor, who soon
took her departure. after which Mrs. White
turned to her husband and said:
It's Jones the peddler yon have killedln
:" | can tel you no more," was the reply.
Already l have told you too much. Come,
letus retire; my mind needs repose - and
as he spoke he made preparations to retire. y
The day after was a most lovely one but
the heart of Mrs. White was all dark. When
she arose, her countenance was detected, and
her manners were those of person lahoring
under a high state of excitement. The ter
rible secret pressed upon her; she must hare
a confident, or die. To stay in the house was
misery so, after breakfast she called upon
particular friend and thus began:
Dear me, did not sleep wink last
night"
aIndeed," replied Mrs. Smith, "what
was the matter? Not ill7'
Not exactly; but to tell the truth I be-
lieve I'm going mad"
Lord Of mercy Mrs. White, how you
do talk ~
s'Don't be alarmed, my dear Mrs. Smith
Il am perfectly harmless But such sad
things have happened, and can'tfsN liv-
ing soul.'
Well. you can tell best"
Horrible said Mrs. White" horri-
ble!''
Gracious mel you don't say so:"
Il can't breathe 1.-THE very air would be-
tray me-"
"Well, Mrs. White. you know that am
your friend-your trustworthy friend-and a
secret with me is sacred-you can use your
own judgment. however,"
oh, it's too terrible"
g pity you, my friend.'i
81 believe you; but if tell you, you
mnst not even breathe it."
'Mrs. White, am surprised at you; l am
no retailer of news-I hate gossip
Well, will trust you, and perhaps you
can advise me-
II will, with pleasure
Well, listen my husband has committed
murder -
q Heavens!" calculated Mrs. Smith, and
her blue eyes were raised in horror.
IA murder? who has he murdered?
My suspicious tell me it is Jones the
peddler''s
What could have been the induce.
ment 2"
''God only knows 1t was not his prck.
for he buried it with him. NV friend, how
am to act ?''