Weekly Trinity journal., 1875-02-27
NUMBER 9.

When all had collected, and arranged
themselves as had directed, in semi
circle before my door-eager, oxpectant,
excited-I came forward, holding in my
hand an egg. Then l made them short
speech on the superstitions of mankind,
which contended had their origin in
mysterious facts revealed from tho other
world by Gods good providence for the
protection of the innocent and the punish
ment of the guilty, and among other
things, l mentioned how the ghosts OF
their victims often haunt the murderers,
compelling them to reveal their crimes
how land an d sea have been known to
give up their awful secrets--and how it
had been asserted that if the guilty
wretch would place his hands upon tho
body of the man he had secretly slain,
they would bleed afresh.
Sand now, gentlemen" I continuees
az hold in my hand ms sure a test as any
have named. This simple egg, so fair
to the view, contains the murderer's ss-
cret. Let him but take It in his hand,
and tho frail she'll will crumble to pieces
and show to all that II is filed with the
blood of tho victim. You will excuse
mo, gentlemen, for putting you all to tho
test. We do not know each others So
crets-the murderer of the young man
we buried yesterday may be among us
but only the guittv need fear the trial,
tho innocent will surely pass the ordeal
unhnrmed."
AS said this 1 fixed my gaze upon
my dark visitor, my suspected man;
never saw more wretched and ghastly
countenance, nor q greater struggle in
any living being to keep calm and un-
moved exterior.
The egg began its round. Some took
it gravely, some lightly, some turned
slightly pale, and some laughed outright.
but on it went and came nearer and near
er to the man for whom it was intended.
| could see hat he was trembling-that
his lips were getting white.
"Irs your turn now !" l said at length,
in cold, stern tone.
milne y he answered, with ghastly
attemptat smile. " Why-why-sh
II take it? Poor Wilson was my
my friend"
Let him prove so nowW said. "All
eyes are upon you. Take the ordeal sent
by heaven, and prove your innoconce--U
y0u cam"
IIe glanced hurriedly around. All
oyes were indeed upon him, and with
look of awakened suspicion he made ono
desperate effort to be calm-then seized
the fatal egg with trembling hands.
The next moment it was crushed TO
atoms, and his hands were wet and stain
ed ms if with human gore.
A wild yell burst from the crowd.
A despairing shrick came from the lips
Of tho guilty wretch; and falling, rather
than sinking down upon his knees, he
cried out
"God OF mercy, forgive me! | did
kill him for his gold Oh, cursed gold
Oh, God Of heaven, forgive me I"
"And how many before him ?" de-
manded |.
"Threo ! three Oh, God of mercy,
forgive me !"
There was another wild yell, or rather
howl of fury-a rush like wolves on their
prey and tho poor wretch was seized,
almost torn limb from limb, and dragged
luriously away.
In less than ten minutes from his con-
fession he was dangling from a noighbor-
ing tree, swinging by the neck.
So died the murderer, whose name J.
have suppressed, because he had respect
able friends, who are still living.
| will only add, that believing him
guilty, / had previously prepared the egg,
putting red coloring matter in it, expect
ing to see him crush it through his super
sttious fears Of n supernatural discovery.
They promised mo a reward for the de-
lection OF tho murderer, but this de-
clined. Justice was all sought, and
this | had obtained.