The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-06-03

some nCuSenOlu erranu, INTO tno cellar
of the old building which our poverty
compelled us to inhabit. The cat fol-
lowed me down the steep stairs, and,
nearly throwing me headlong, exasper-
ated me to madness. Uplifting an axe
and forgetting, in my wrath, the child
ish dread which had hitherto stayed
my hand, l aimed a blow at the animal
which, of course, would have proved
instantly fatal had it descended as l
wished. But this blow was arrested
by the hand of my wife. Goaded, by
the interference, into rage more than
demouiacal, withdrew my arm from
her grasp and buried the axe in her
brain. She fell dead upon the spot,
without a groan.
This hideous murder accomplished,
l set myself forthwith, and with entire
| deliberation, To the task Of concealing
the body. knew that could not re.
move it from the house, either by day
or by night, without the risk Of being
observed by the neighbors. Many prof
ectS entered my mind AT one period
l thought of cutting the corpse into
minute fragments, and destroying them
by fire. AT another, l resolved to dig
a grave for it in the floor of the cellar.
Again, deliberated about casting it in
the well in the yard-about packing it
in box, as if IN erchaAdize, with the
usual arrangements, and So getting a
porter TO take from the house. Final
| ly / hit upon what ] considered far
be tier expedient than either of these.
/ determined to wall il up in the cellar
as the monks of the middle ages are
re corded to have walled up their vic.
tins.
For a purpose such as this the cellar
was well adapted. 1t walls were loose
ly constructed, and had lately been
pl astered throughout with q rough
plaster, which the dampness of the at
mosphere had prevented from harden
ing. Moreover, in one of the walls
was a projection, caused by a false
chimney, or fire place, that had been
filled up, and made to resemble the rest
of the cellar. made no doubt that
could readily displace the bricks at this
point, insert the corpse, and wall the
whole up as before, so that no eye
could detect any thing suspicious.
And in this calculation l was not de-
ceived. By means ofa crow-bar / easi-
Iy dislodged the bricks, and having
carefully deposited the body against
the inner wall, propped it in that po-
siti on, while, with little trouble, re-
laid the whole structure as it originally
stood. Having procured mortar, sand,
and hair with every possible precau-
ii on, prepared plaster which could
not be distinguished from the old, and
with this / very carefully went ovel
the new brick-work. When l had fin
ished, felt satisfied that all WIS right
The wall did not present the slightest
appearance of having been disturbed.
The rubbish on the floor was picked up
with the minutest care. looked around
triumphantIy, and said to myself
"Here at least, then, my labor has not
been in vain"
My next step was TO look for the beast
| which had been the cause of so much
wre tchedness; forI had, at length, firm
ly resolved to put it to death. Fad /
been able to meet with it, at the mo-
ment, there could have been no doubt
Of its fate; but it appeared that the
crafty animal had been alarmed at the
violence of my previous anger, and
forbore to present itself in my present
mood. 1t is impossible to describe, OF
to imagine, the deep, the blissful sense
of relief which the absence of the de-
tested creature occasioned in my bosom
1t did not make its appearance during
at night-and thus for one night al
least, since its introduction into the
h ouse, l soundIy and TRANQUILITY
slept; aye, slept even with the burden
of murder upon my soul!
The second and the third day passed
and still my tormentor came not
Once again ! breathed as freeman.
The monster, in terror, had fled the
premises forever! l should behold it
no more My happiness was supreme
The guilt of my dark deed disturbed
me but little. Some few inquiries hat
been made, but these had been readily
an swered. Even search had been in
slit uted-but of course nothing WAS to
be discovered. | looked Hpon my fu-
turc felicity as secured.
Upon tine fourth day OF the assas-
sination, party of the police caaie,
v cry Unexpectedly, iatO the house, and
proceeded again to make rigorous in
vestigation Of the premises. Secure,
however, in the security Of my place
of concealment, l felt no embarrassment
whatever. The officers bade me accom-
pany them in their search. They left
no nook or corner uneXplored. AT
length, for the third or fourth time,
they descended into the cellar. lquiyer-
ed not in muscle. My heart beat calmly
| as that of one who slumbered in inno-
eence. / walked the cellar from end to
end. / folded my arms upon my bosom,
and roamed easily to and fro. The po'
lice were thoroughly satisfied and PIE
pared to depart. The glee at my heart
was too strong to be restrained. Iburn-
ed to say if but one word, by way OF
triumph, and to render doubly sure
t heir assurance Of my guiltlessness.
Gentlemen" l said at last, as the
party ascended the steps, II delight to
have allayed your suspicious. | wish
you all health, and little more courte-
sy. By the bye, gentlemen, th's-this
is very well constructed house." In
the rabid desire to say something easily,
l scar cely knew what l uttered at all. ]
81 may say an erceLlentB well con
stru cted house. These walls-are you
going, gentlemen ?-these walls are sol
idly put together" and here, through
the mere phrenzy Of bravadO, raped