Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1871-03-17

childish steps had, hunofeds OF times. lett
their print on the dry ssad in summer, or
on the soft mud in rainy weather, or on
the snow when it lay thick upon the
ground. l remembered how often he and
I bad plucked the daisies. growing where
now his blood had soaked into the long
grass. 1t was horrible,h cried out that
it was horrible. '.Ol ,lhat I could find
his murderers. and kill them with my own
hand. But they would be found, if not
by me-they surely would Something
is certain to point<iben out. Be they
artful as demons some little thing will
point to them. "
"When human Uood i shed, eyery MI
mute circumstance becomes of importance.
and must have Its full Weight" It fash
ed across me that | had Heard thhse words
lately--where, could DOT remember
For I had not single thought Of Pet, or
last nights party now. Thinking. NUT
tering, talking thus aloud. I hurried on,
past every well-remem9ered fence, and
bank, and tree. At last reached the
spot and with eyes that sould have looked
away but could not. azed upon the
ground ground beaten . with heavy feet
ground with great stains How long
I stood staring at the fe1 objects that told
Of so much I know not; but at last re-
covered somewhat. and began closer ex-
animation. The grass id some places was
wet, but not, alas with aew. l stopped
and touched it--oh horrpr. the blood was
on my own hand. Thai discovery filled
me with terror that could not control,
and I turned to rush awiy. Just then I
noticed dark object lying before me-a
piece Of leather like partsof the cover of a
book. seized it and zen ran swiftly
toward home.
But was not destinedto reach home.
For no sooner had I started away than l
heard many footsteps behind me. Rush
ing ON at my utmost speed. they gained
upon me. and I grew faint and weary
My legs began to trem6l Soon. run
ming as was against q stiff breeze, l
could hardly drag one foot after the other.
Terror. nameless horross had unnerved
me before and I now waf reedy to drop.
staggered few paces further and then
felt that could do no hqre. The foot
steps drew closer. closer they must be
those Of the murderers hing q new vic
tim! knew it just as hlg as knew
that I vas net ncw Id! q .!!5 Fl oin my
own bedroom OF if | could but reach
it!
But was not to reach it. The foot
steps came closer. I felt the earth almost
shake beneath them and held my breath.
expecting the crushing blow upon my
head that would strike me down. A firm
hand was laid upon each shoulder. l
tried to shriek, but was dumb.
80" said rough voice, we've caught
the villain Knock him down if he gives
trouble. Give me the bracelets"
Instantly. before [ could even see who
thus spoke, my wrists were grasped and
locked together. and half dozen power
full men began to drag me away. They
took me. as it seemed, miles, I not saying
one word. for I could not. Presently we
arrived at the little courthouse, situated
mile outside of L---, where an ex-
cited crowd. many bearing torches was
assembled. Pushing their way through
these, my captors dragged me into bare
whitewashed room. with no furniture be-
yond rough bench. The place was full
of a glaring light.
Come along. Bill" said one of the
men. Hes got to be searched. first of
all. Oh! ho! what's this? Blood on his
hand. by the Lord! I thought we'd got
the right one when I saw him Jumping
out of the doctors window. Bur- slar and
murderer both, it seems. Oh. ho! again.
What's this here, young fellow? Part of
the farmers pocket book, eh? Your aint's
fixed, anyhow. Blood on that. too! I
guess you'd better have pair Of anklets
on quicker'n lightning"
At last I found words--a torrent of in
coherent words, no doubt. for they were
hardly listened to-and I was thrust into
cell. And as the door closed upon me
heard voice say: "There is blood and
IN 1t lies the evidence plainly written upon
has right hand"
l have never been able to recall what
ha appeued next, for was unconscious for
week at least. suppose that my con-
dition was not discovered; for. as l found
on recovering my senses, various formali-
ties had been gone through-an inquest !;
a verdict of willful murder against me-
me! who never harmed creature. They
told me that the morning Of my trial was
come. Had they sent to the doctor ?"
"Yes. they had. and the doctor believed
me guilty. What was the use Of my de-
nying the facts" they said. A midnight
visit to the scene of the murder (they did
not now think the doctors friend was a
burglar or to recover and hide some
weapon hand stained with blood blood
on my knees. fragment Of the dead man S
wallet in my coat pocket. | hardly know
what answered, but must have raved
like maniac. Thus. like one possessed, !,
l was led into crowded court. How the
hot breaths of hundreds Of people beat on
my face as I was suddenly pushed into a
cage before the judge. Hundreds Of eyes
glared iercely at me; a hoarse murmur OF
horri6ed whispers seemed like the roar Of
q waterfall 10 my ears. Was it real p
Could this be ! (; this court; that judge