Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-03-02


shadow below the fir trees; as she did so,
CLEAN of moonlight shot through the
branches and fell upon heap of snow, look
ing as fit had piled itself over log. There
was nothing unusual in that, there we're
logs enough IN the forest; and yet Jessie's
ewes rivited themselves upon the spot, and
the feyerish flush faded out of her face, as,
inch by inch, she crept nearer. She stoop-
ed over the mound, down lower and lower,
near the dark red stain which marked the
pure covering with gasp. rather than
cry, she fell upon her knees and swept the
snow away.
From the instant the moonbeam shadow
ed forth the spot. she knew what she should
find there. and her brain had been Grazing
as she crept on. There he lay, the lover to
whom she had given her heart and soul,
placid and beautiful, the long hair filed
with snow, the lips parted with soft smile,
and through the broad chest a gaping gun
shot wound.
What are you doing here ?'' said a harsh
voice, and Joe Clarke shook his sister rough
~ ''Do you want to help me bury your
fine lover? Wen see how he Ii come steal
ing the poor man children again.
Jessie did not stir; so Joe lifted her up
and made her lean against the ash tree
There he said, stand there while fn-
ish my work; or stop, take off your shawl
and make winding sheet of it.
A gleam came across the girls face. She
sprang forward, and tearing off her shaw,
spread it out, and when Joe laid the body
on it, she began arranging the soft folds,
stopping every now and then to kiss the
marbelke lips, and whisper in the deaf ear.
When Joe had the grave ready, she push
ed him away from the body with a fierce
cry, and lifting it, tottered foreward, laying
it tenderly in the brown earth
Fill it with snow first. she whispered
hoarsely, beginning to push it in with both
hands, and Joe, who was just little fright
ened by her, obeyed. all the more readily
that the wind bowling far off in the valley,
and the big snow fakes wheeling about, pre-
saged coming tempest.
But long before the grave was filled, the
storm was upon them, crashing through the
trees, shaking down the snow from the
branches, and binding the pathway on eth
er side.
Come home now," said Joe, TAX
ing Jessie by the shoulder, but this time
gently, and without looking in her face
come But before we leave the place II
tell You why I'ye made myself murderer
why I've put a rope round my neck. 1t
was because you were my sister-because
was proud of you-becausc l knew he could
not marry you, and that he would neither
leave you, nor make you an honest woman,
I [ was in the s'Hollow Ash" last night. and
heard all you settled and l shot him before
YOU were well out of sight | shot him tor
your sake and to save you from shame.
Jessie stared with stony eyes, very ter
rible in their struggle for reason. Sudden
ly she seemed to understand him, and a
crimson flush spread over her face.
He was taking me away to spare you
the shame, she said.
/ A Horrible oath broke from Joe's lips as,
/
looked into her face as he did so, his owl
convulsed, and throwing her violently from
him, he walked on, the tears rolling down
his white cheeks.
Meekly Jessie followed, and when the,
reached the house, stole meekly up to he
bedroom. Joe went into the kitchen ant
told his mother the story from first to last
as far as he knew it. 1t was difficult to sa,
which trial was the hardest-for the poo
broken hearted mother, the mad daughter
up stairs hiding her shame, or the son mark
ed with the brand of Cain.
When it was known that Jestie Clark wa
i'll, many kindly message and gilt came t
tie cottage, and many kindly neigh boz
would have come and sat with tie sick girl
but to all the mother brought the same an
swer: Jessie could see no one'' Dealt
came mercifully, and while the country wa
ringing with the disappearance of the youn
Earl of Carrisbroke, Jessie passed away
and hid her sorrow and shame in the grave.
No clue was discovered to the murder
and no suspicion attached to the murderer
but after Jessie death the widow Clark an
her sons emigrated to America, and some
how the cottage got bad name, and beln
said to be hauted by Jessie ghost, fell int
ruin.
Years after, winter storm laid low tn
Hollow Ash" and the gigantic roots tor
from their bed brought the young earl
skeleton to light, fulfilling the old adag
that murder will out.
A little boy five years of age, while wrist
ing under the tortures of the ague, was tol
by his mother to rise up and take a powde
she had prepared for him. Powder pow
derl" said he, rising upon his elbow. an
putting on a roguish smile, mother, / ain
a gun ~