The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-02-10
he fence, and he was taken away about

he left the village. he came into piece OF
woody ground. Recent rains had filed pud-
dies in the road like miniature ponds. As
he entered the wood he saw Selim approach
ing, backed by u strange rider, even the ILL.
looking fellow, who had Just succeeded in
stealing him In the middle Of one OF the
largest pools Of water. Selim very deliberate-
ly Law down and rolled. 80 rs to dctach his
rider; he then rose suddenly. and .galloped
away at the top Of his speed. The fellow got
up. He was thu knight Of the rueful conn
tenance and rueful coat. and all other habili-
ments. when my father met him.
"My horse has thrown me, VI said he, using
some had adiectives to Sslim's discredit
"Where did you get that horse" said my
father.
al bought him on farm about three miles
from here"
"How much did you give'' inquired my
father.
"Twenty.fve pounds; and I'll have my
money back, for | will never keep such a
brute"
William Cumming had paid one hundred
and twenty-five pounds, aud he valued the
horse at double that sum.
THAT story can't impose upon me-" said
my father. "Only two persons were ever on
that horses back before; and when you steal
another horse. you will d. well to find out
beforehand whether you can ride him. it IS
not ni.e to be split in mud puddle hut
you may congratulate yourself that you fully
deserve it."
He drove on leaving the crest.lallcn villain
dripping with dirty water.
Not long after this we heard Of the arrest
and conviction of horse thief, and on 'nqui'
ry. we learned that he was @ same person
who had been 30 uncsremoniously treated to u
mud bath by Selim. He was sentenced to pris.
on for four years. During this time feltvery
secure about Selim; and William used to
tell me that thought there was only one
rascal in the world.
The days dew by, for my youth was hap
py. Four more years aed, and | was in my
eighteenth year. William Cumming had
been my instructor in many things. and my
friend in all. during this tune. always
called him uncle William; and it never oc-
Cured TO ue that our relations could be
changed. People asked why he did not mar
ry. He said that his old bachelorism was
chronic complaint, and would probably new
or be cured. remember one night. as lay
in bed, that the thought occurred to me !:
"What if William Cumming should marry"
1t is surely no harm to speak of 1t now. for he
has been married several years, and l.
But will not anticipate.
The pretty widow, Mrs. Jameson. had
been staying month with friend in our
neighborhood, aad William had been very
polito to her, and, what was worse than all,
he had promised that she should ride Sclim
The next day was appointed for her to ride,
and, by not very strange. coincidence. this
night I asked myself the question: "Why
cannot be married to William Cummlng|'
The answer was "Ho is old enough to be
my father"
The beautiful Mrs. JAMESON was still
Young, but much nearer Williams ago than
was. Ny pulse beat fast. and the long Wis.
Ia of my future life looked gloomy and ter
ribls. After tormentins myself till thought
| wanted to die, fell asleep.
After time woke in kind of shudder-
ing horror. had heard sounds, the like OF
Which had never heard before they seemed
compounded OF the squeal of horse and the
yroans and cries Of human being was
sure heard these sounds. and that 1t was not
q sleeping fancy; but when | was fully
awake | heard them no more. twas warm
night in tho latter part Of June. and my
windows were raised. slept on the second
Aoor, and two large windows OF my room
faced the south. Half mile, in q direct
line from these windows, was pOst'rOad.
was sure that the sounds had heard came
from the road. or its near vicinity. lis.
tened earnestly, but all was still Suddenly
there hoated into my room, filling it. IA 1t
were, with an odor that was perfectly suro
was from warm human blood. L shrank
down into my bed and shook with horror |;
then, with great effort of my will, arose,
threw on u dressing gown, and hurried to
my fathers room.
Father, Father" :" cried, "come with
me"
"what is it, Agnes, dear?" said my moth.
er. "What has frightened you?"
"I thought heard some one" said l, eva
sively.
| waited for my father to dress. and 1t
seemed I'm hours time. though it was only u
few minutes, while he was hastily putting on
his clothes.
When we were out OF hearing of my moth.
er, I told him of the sounds and of the smell
of blood. He always believed me when |
told him anything that seemed incredible.
Tor he had much experience OF the truth OF
the testimony of my senses. -.
"Father," said I, "half mile from here,
close to the post.road, human being Is ly-
ing. bleeding to death. l am sure OF it."
NV father took lantern, and went for
William Cumming. dressed. and when
they came led the way to the spot, where
was convinced weshould find sope one dead
or dying. The bowling Of the dog that pre-
ceded us. struck us oil with as sad solemnity.
As We drew near the edge Of Cur field, which
was bounded by the road, We saw horse
standing, and. as wo came nearer, we saw 1t
was Selim. Lying. beside him was man.
My father stopped to examine, and said
"I believe he is dead"
The halter was buckled to his arm, and he
was bitten horribly in his arms and legs. and
had blcd to death. They raised him, and
laid him on the back Of the now docile Selim,
thinking that perhaps he had only tainted
They took him 10 our house but he was
quite dead. He proved to be the thief who
had stolen Selim before. and who had only
been three days out Of prieon. Alter the
necessary iormalities. the poor wretch was
buried. Selim never passes the place where
he had killed him. without being seized with
u severe ft OF shuddering. .
was very i'll FROM the shock Of this dread
fal scene. believe was out Of my senses,
and had sort Of brain fever, which was ve.
ry much aggravated when the widow jane
IL