The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-02-12
unlikely should give them some clue to

unlikely should give them some clue to
the assassin.
When all had collected, and arranged
themselves IA l had directed, in semi
circle before my door-eager, expectant,
excited 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 the other
world by Gods good providence for the
protection of the innocent and the pun
ishment of the guilty, and among other
things, mentioned how the ghosts of
their victims would often haunt their
murderers, compelling them to reveal
their crimes-how land and sea had been
known to give up their awful secrets
and how it had been asserted that if the
guilty wretch should place his hands
upon the body of the man he had secretly
slain, they would bleed afresh.
"And now, gentlemen" / continued,
81 hold in my hands rs sure test M
any have named. This simple egg, so
fair to the view, contains the murderer's
secret. Let him but take it in his hand,
and the frail shell will crumble to pieces
and show to all that it is filed with the
blood of the victim. You will excuse
me, gentlemen, for putting you all to the
test. We do not know each others
secrets-the murderer of the young man
we buried yesterday may be among us ;
but only the guilty need fear the trial,
the innocent viii surely pass the ordeal
unframed.
As l said this, | fixed my gaze upon
the dark visitor, my suspected man /
never saw a more wretched and CHASTITY
countenance, nor greater struggle in
any living being to keep calm and UNI
moved exterior.
The egg began its round. Some took
it grayely, some lightly, some turned
slightly pale, and some laughed outright.
But ON it went, and came nearer and
nearer to the man for whom it was in
/ tended. l could see that he was trem-
bling-that his very lips were getting
/ white.
cts your turn now" L said Mt length,
/ in a cold, stern tone
"Mine!" he answered, with CHASTITY
attempt ut smile. Why-why-
should II take it? Poor Wilson was
my-my friend.
Let him prove so now :" l said.
An eyes are upon you. Take the or
deal sent by heaven, and prove your in
nocence-if yOu can"
He glanced hurriedly around. All
eyes were indeed upon him, and with a
look of awakened suspicion he made one
desperate effort to be calm-then seized
the fatal egg with trembling hands.
The next moment 1T was crushed to
atoms, and his hands were wet and stained
as if with human gore.
A wild yell burst from the crowd
4 despairing shrek came from the lips
of the guilty wretch and falling, rather
than sinking down upon his knees, he
cried out
Good of mercy, forgive me, / die
kill him / did Kill him, for his gold
his gold Oh, cursed gold. Oh, God OF
heaven, forgive me
"And how many before him " de
manded l.
"Three three! Oh, God of mercy
forgive me "
There was another wild yell, or rather
howl OF flIry-a rush like wolves on theii
prey-and the poor wretch was seized
almost torn limb from limb, and dragged
furiously away.
In less than ten minutes from his con
fession he was dangling from n neighbour
ing tree, swinging by the neck.
So died the murderer, whose name
have suppressed, because lac had respect
able friends, who are still living.
L will only add, that believing hin
guilty, had previously prepared the egg
putting red coloring matter in it, expect
ing to see him crush it through his su
perstitious fears of n supernatural dis
covery. They promised me reward foI
the detection of the murderer-but this
L declined. Justice was all / hat
sought, and this L had obtained.