Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1865-12-15

| Wiuc. III tue uIlust Oh my ulStTeSH, anu
to be alone, where / could reflect and
gnn and went to the woods for ramble,
it being the same day the fence was to
be repaired. wandered about until
was tired, and sat down on u log on the
brow of the hill overlooking the valley
through which the line of fence ran.
i ~ was concealed from sight from be-
low, but could plainly see all that tram
spired in the valley below. i saw the
blow fall that ended the career Of poor
Long. .a...
"I would have shouted and made my
presence known to the murderer, but
my tongue Glove to the roof of my mouth,
so dumb was l struck at sight of the
horrid deed. / sat and saw the victim
concealed. i was powerless to act--to
move--or even to think ineligible
thoughts. But something must be done.
What course should pursue. To imme-
diately inform tho authorities, and
bring Cripps to immediate punishment,
was my first instructive duty. thought
l could see through it all, and knowing
both parties, ! Mt once OWNED that
greed of gold prompted the committal
of the crime. The tumult Of my tho'ts
brought to the surface my own situation
with Cripps. Could turn the situation
"
wicked thought that involuntarily fore
ed itself upon me. If l should bring
him to justice, it would only hasten the
time when my dear ones at home would
be homeless in the streets. The love of
those dear ones overruled my strong de-
sire to have the culprit meet his Just
deserts, anl determined to try the ex-
pertinent, at least, of prOfiting by the
situation of affairs. l own it was wrong,
1t was criminal, but self-interest, under
the circumstances, controlled my act
ions. My plan was formed. Cripps
had carefully concealed the body, and
murder, and was ascending tho hill
near where was sitting. AS he ap-
preached Iaccosted him:
Helloa, Cripps, how are you? Chop
ping to-day? l see you have your axe. F"
Cripps looked and acted a. though he
would sink into the earth, but collect
ing himself, returned the salutation
with,
why, how are you, Tom? glad tosee
YOU" .... ........
Don't lie to me old chap, for know
you are not glad to see me here at this
particular time"
What! how SOP" stammered Cripps.
"What have you been doing?n This
INuSStItil HI
| had seen all, but he rallied to the
charge, as all criminals must first deny,
though they know the fact to be known.
"Doingp what right have you to ask
me what have been doing, fellow"
"Well, then, tell me where Joe Long
is?" Cripps' knees smote together rs
he replied:
a. have not seen Joe Long since"
"Since you covered him up down In
the valley under the brush heap! ~
Cripps sank TO the ground.
"Oh! have mercy, Tom! Did you
see what done with Long,"
"Yes; you deserve the same mercy
you delt out to poor Long, you"
Don't, don't, beg! What will you
do with me, Tom ?"
elf do my duty, will inform the
authorities; you old villain!"
"But don't, Tom! spare me; / will
do anything for you in my power, only
spare me, Tom; save me, name your
terms, ,--anything.'
d" You killed Long for his property,
did you?"
"Oh! no-o-yes Tom, did"
3 Provided this murder does not come
out, and you are not punished, what
will this property bring your"
: Cripps frightened up and said, Ten
Y
the half, Tom"
Five thousand dollars in gold, and
paid this very night?"
Yes, yes, Tom, I'll do that! and
live, Tom?"'
"You have mortgage on my house. "
I" Yes, oh, yes, will cancel that too,
Tom: VIII you promise silence for all
that?n
"But ! may need small sums occa-
sionally to SUPPORT my family"
Call on ne at any time, Tom"
"And II YOU refuse l shall immediate
ly divu!ge." -r.
Agreed, Tom."
Five thousand in gold tonight, can
collation. of the mortgage, and such ad-
diticnal sums as shall need from time
to time"
r "AH, promise. y,
!. "Now take your way to town, and
will minc.' 7."i
"And so we parted, each heavy
} load of guilt to bear and conceal from
public gaze snd the prying eye of JUS
tice. Cripps kept his promise with me,
us well he knew he must or pull hemp,
and kept mine; for the situation OF
affairs gave me all the advantage
wanted over man with plethoric mon
ey bags.
"In justification of my proceedings
with Cripps, 1 reasoned that oil the diff
ference there was in regard to punislling
the murderer, myself had that to do
instead of the officers of justice, and IL
bled Cripps' money bags freely, and
his continual fear Of me divulging the
secret was as much punishment as my
conscience would allow in this particu-
lar case
Joseph Long was missed, and dill
gent search was made with great excite
ment, as Is usual on all such occasions,
but was not found. Suspicious rested
upon Cripps, but not strong enough to
warrant arrest and examination, and 80
the question OF poor Longs fate was
left to futurity for revealment.
| Year after year passed away, and l
kept my promise with Cripps by paying
my respects to him at short Intervals.
and he duly honored my demands.
But he could not stand 1t always
The heavy drains upon his purse that
he could not avoid, together with his
and body, and he sank hinder it, and
died five years after the date of his
crime. Thus was the gallows cheated
of its victim An exception to the gem
eral rule that murder will out, us II
was never known what became Of The
murdered man, except myself, and you,
my friend, now know it and my histo-
ry, SO you now understand why am
depressed and seem less lively than
when innocent Of crime or of being nc.
cessory to crime"
Your history il indeed strange
one, nor do wonder at the impression
it has made upon you. But, Tom, what
now is your future course with regard
to your obligations Of secrecy"
What can do, or what should /
do, but still keep the secret and thereby
punish myself instead of delivering
myself up to officers Of the law, thereby
running my family and myself. Cripps
| is beyond reach of the law. He Is now
receiving his punishment. ] hope to
so live the remnant OF my days TINT i
may expiate my crime by good works,
unless my confession to you be reveal
ed.n
Have no fears, Tom. The conf
dence you have placed in me will not