The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-10-31
A WESTERN SKETCH.
ICARLNETH.

li:ed. She needed nourishment and
rest. My business was urgent. and at
the risk Of even greater WEAKNESS than
was felt by horse and rider the journey
must be finished.
Tie day was very warm. The road
was dusty. Neither Of US, my horse and
l. had been permitted glass of water
since earl, in the day.
A farmhouse showed itself as We came
10 turn in the road. My horse in
stinctiyely turned through the open gate
and went towards watering trough. l
dismounted, filed the trough with wa
ter from the pump. gave her alls she
wanted, threw the rein over her glossy
neck. knowing that when | called she
would come, bathed ny face, and head,
and neck. III the cool. pune water, and
went to the house to get a lunch, and
inquire my way.
The front door was open, and SO was
the door beyond, which opened out Oh
the back porch There was no answer to
my mock. Repeated-no answer. A
light Whit Of air threw the door back
against the wall so that the greater
part OF the room was readily seen. At
the right hand was a large cook-stove.
carefully polished, and showing other
MARKS Of cleanliness. A rocking chair
was in front \ cricket was ready for
the feet. To the left was plain pine
table, three or four chairs, bench. a
cupboard, aud dor opening into an
other apartment. | give this lengthy
description because 1t is necessary
Looking towards the door, it occurred
to me that my knock might be heard
here accordingly advanced and
knocked again. No answer. | turned
to retrace my steps, not liking to feel
that | was in the midst of house, and
be regarded as possibly and intruder.
My pulse ceased beating as discover
ed what had before been hidden from me
by standing in the door. Behind the
cook stove, which in itself was very
large, and partially concealed by ii. was
sheet covering body. The covering
was SO thin, it was not hard to tell, from
the general outline, that the form was
that of woman. [ had not seen it be-
fore, because it had been hidden from
my view by the cook stove. But here it
was. For an instant all that was horri-
bic flashed across me.
The body was most carefully laid out
All but the face was covered. The feet
were stretched out. The hands were
could be given, had evidently been given
there.
studied the face. The mouth was
closed 50 were the eyes. But the
wasted expression which marked the
features, mingled with peculiar agony,
decided in my mind that the poor crea-
tire had persisted possibly through want
OF perhaps neglect.
r ha,, | hn
could bear. | stepped quickly to the
outer porch, to get fresh air, and gath
CT my senses.
1t seemed too heartless to 60 away
and know no more. 1t seemed too terri
Bile to stay aud investigate. | was
stranger aud might be tearfully annoyed
Who knew but some foul trick might be
played upon me as being the first one to
enter this abode of death.
confess. for moment, | was stag
eered as ali these thoughts flashed across
my mind. But | could not go away and
leave things 20. | decided 10 run the
risk and Investigate the mystery.
ran out aud caught my horse.
brought her close to the door ready for
service If need be. | went to the door
again. and loudly raped. | went with
III and struck the other door with heavy
knuckles 1t was no ordinary tap. tap.
1t was i knock that | meant should be
heard. My knuckles were sore after it.
There was no response. L went to the
body aud looked at IT, n woman. Of at
least sixty years. with close, hard fea>
lures. The lips were tightly drawn, and
across the upper one was wound. 1t
seemed Is il it Was Il deep and serious
one. | booked to see II there were other
marks ct violence, bit saw none. The
wound ca the lip seemed to reach
through, how far | could not tell. A
neigh from my horse brought me to the
door. She seemed studying some object
beyond the Fence. She began to paw
and snort, arching her neck aud pricking
up her ears | could discover no cause
for the excitement, but it was Oh he in
crease. Running to her to understand
II | could, the cause of the trcpidation.a
pair of cleaning eyes in the bushes met
mine. With a corpse behind me, and
my pet mare fascinated by snake, my
hands Were Tor a moment tull.
His snakeship seemed to consider him.
self match for two, Cor he did not cease
his attentions. | seized the bit. heavy
curb, The horse plunged. l was in
the saddle and using my Mexican spurs,
while she whred on her launches.
The snake glided away.
\ queer. cracked. drawling woman's
voice seemed to speak out Of the clouds
w hat seems - be the matter with
yer horse, stranger
| do not know which was the more
frightened. my horse or |, for on the
porch stood the sheet and all it con-
tanned.
If my horse desired to approach the
snake, she now desired TO get away from
the apparition. it was no diiicalt task,
She stopped only when the road wa
reeched.
drew her up, and took a survey.
The sheet had slightly fallen. and ex-
p ,Sed a skinny arm. 1t was lifted. and
SKINNER hand was held up to shade
the eyes. The other arm was against
one ct the posts Of the piazza.
Tie queer, cracked voice Grawled out
in IA high kew:
"Haint got fit. has hep
No, bat have | felt fit of sud
den departure, and away / galloped. Ii
She could talk that way, she did not need
my services, and L was willing no. TO
offer them
| asked at the next house. distant
about FIVE miles, who the people that
lived back there BY the ravIne were
The answer was given
~ queer old couple. They work
hard in the cool of the. day, and sleep
willie il is Dot Did yau see them
iold him what had happened. he
lauel.el aud said