Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-09-28

firm hand drew her in at last. aud for the
time being, the horse recognized her mas
ter. But Judy's eyes glittered; she
looked wicked. Townships eyes glisten.
cd he felt proud. At ease with all man
Kind. lie willingly drew lines TO chat
with Ricketts,, who was riding from town
on horseback.
We'll, what's the news ?" with pat.
raniziug nod, in exchange for Ricketts,
neiebborly greeting.
Wal, iher haint much news. Mr..
rownsleY." said Ricketts,. shifting to an
easier position in his saddle and leaning
down comfortably on the pommel. mot
much news OF any kind, everybody's so
tarnal full Of the hangin'."
''Krief. eh! The fellow that murdered
his wife? So he has had TO swing for it,
has he? HAnging's too good for such
cusS as he was"
Judy plunged and reared and snorted
fire.
"Ya-as. Papers full ont; considerable
excitement. If they'd pardoned him
think the boys would have lynched him. "
The spirited Judy gave a leap; but
Towns!ey quoted her.
"YeS, said Townsley, "he was hard
case"
"Oh, desput hard, interrupted Ricketts,,
You read the account, didn't you?"
"Oh, yes. yes. recollect the whole
miserable affair. A man who will abuse
woman as he did, man who, in cold
blood, shoots down the mother of his
child, as Krieif did-hadging isn't enough
Tor him; it isn't enough. Who's Judy;
whol you beast Yes. fac horse;
pretty -fue horse. Whoa Judy. Stand
still there! How did he behave on the
gallows ?'
'I.ike man, the paper says. For the
lust Time in his lite, reckon. Yes. died
without niuchin'; didn't seem to care
what become OF him"
"llS dreadful" said Townsley, jerking
his horses mouth and with difficulty con-
trolling her. The way crime-whoa!
is increl,iog--,0Aot, Mrs. Pdnch. or I'll
get out and whip you till you know who
| nm. That's the third case of wife muir
der we've head of wihin-h
Here judy dashed oil at full speed, and
was obliged 10 leave his sen
teuce unfinished.
Wnat allied the brute tha, nj )rning ?
The nerve aud muscle of one strong man
was not enough to hold her. The buggy
was tossed from side to side OF the road
as the horse rushed onward. TOwusley
grew pale with rage. lie cut tie animal
righl and left. Then he grew pale at
si ight ol the danger before him, and tried
10 restrain her with kind, reassuring
words. Caresses after whipplngs are
accepted by the child but refused by the
beast. ToHnsley was conscious OF spin
terS ziszagging like lightning before his
ey yes conscious of bracing aud holding
with beth hands then of great plunge
through the air; OF blowing the ground
with his shoulder. and gurgling prayer
through the gravel which filled his mouth,
that God would save him. Then his
neck apparently broke, and he knew no
more.
When Townsley came to himself he
opened his eyes YEARLY then wondering
", then fearlully. After which he closed
them in a hurry.
Townsley was scared. He had seen his
own soul. 1t was lowering ever him like
a balloon and struggling to free itself
from the body. Was he dead, or dying,
or trembling GA the border land' He did
not know he opened his eyes again.
looking this time from the souls stand
point. lie saw that mangled motionless
body OF his. wrapped in the wayside
dust; and he lelt him ,elf--the soul-sus-
pended in air, with all that earthly flesh
cloggiug his uprising.
but which am ?" groaned Townsley,
q cold parspiea,ion breaking out all over
him.
He seemed to comprise two beings,
each wrestling for the mastery. The
soul pulled hard Tor Liberty, but the body's
dead weight would grant it no release.
Sounds filed his ears like rushing waters,
and his throat was parched and burning.
Townsley was never in such lix in his
life. Was this lite, or was 1t death The
heart of the strong man tailed him.
Help he cried. Help y
But only the perfume OF bruised and
diving flowers loated by. and above the
noise of the waters only the little grieved
note of i singing bird gave answer.
Trembling, frightened, weak, one other
cry escaped that quivering flesh which
the soul tortured aud pulled and strained
Increasingly.
jamie, jamie !" pleaded Townsley.
"help me-keep me-stay by me-rm
going mad-oh, jamie ~
But all ne saw, as his eyes closed heav-
ily. was faced woman rubbing
sprouts from mountain of potatoes. She
sat in o cold, damp cellar, with tallow
dip Tor light. Her sleeves were rolled
above the elbow; but the arm exposed
had long lost all beauty of shape-skin
:, 81, ,,,,,,