Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-04-19
MISCELLAN ".
MEM EsIs.

MISCELLANY.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.~~~~~
NEMESIS.
I am innocent, SO help me God /
have no more to say"
And the black cap being pulled
over his face, the unhappy man was
launched into eternity.
The trial had been long and impair
tial. The legal talent engaged upon
both sides had been of the best, and
now all was over. The majesty of
the outraged law was vindicated, and
Eben Hamlin, tried for the murder
and robbery Of the venerable Joseph
| Ward, was at last executed.
Many people complained, and muir
muring said. "Oh, he will get free
they will not hang him." Yet upon
this stormy and gloomy morning the
unfortunate man had given up his
life.
The story OF the crime was one Of
unusual cruelty, and no one pitied
the murderer.
A few months before, the victim,
Joseph Ward, had been in unusually
good spirits, and with reason. His
only grand child was to be married.
The talented and rising young law
yer, Charles Carleton, had wooed and
won the rich heiress of old Joseph
| Ward. Many envied him his
happiness, but there are few who
would say it was undeserved.
Charles Carleton had, upon gradu-
ating from s. law school, settled
in the city, where he had for some
time past pursued his studies.
| But little was known concerning
his history, and after q time, the gos-
sips relinquished their seaach after
news, and the young man went on his
way unmolested.
During the period of his sojourn in
s., Charles had become acquaint-
ed with the lovely Annie Ward, and
their acquaintance ripening into
something stronger than friendship,
Charles formally demanded Of Mr..
Ward the hand of his grandchild in
marriage.
The old man did not say them nay,
but only stipulated that Charles
should make his mark at the bar, and
show himself worthy of Annie. So
matters progressed, and all went
smoothly, aud old Mr.. Ward had
given Annie permission to make
ready for her marriage,
One evening, all the party, in
Guiding Mr., Ward, Annie and Charles
were sitting upon the veranda in front
of the house, when an old gray beard
ed man stepped up and asked aims.
Charles walked down the path, and
giving the man a coin, babe him "be
OFF,
Turning back upon the Young man,
he muttered something in low
tone and walked slowly away. Upon
hearing the words Charles seemed to
totter, as if from weakness, but at
once recovering himself, he resumed
his place among the family party.
Several times, while they sat talk
ing the tlamp was observed to pass
and repass the house, causing Annie
to remark that "the old fellow SEEM
ed to like the spot"
After some time in conversation,
Charles took his leave, and lighting a
cigar, walked slowly hQmeYard.
He had gone but short distance
when he heard steps in his rear, and
turning he recognized the old tramp.
Charles Immediately halted, and
turning, said to his pursuer:
"Now, old man, whoever you are,
explain what you meant by the words
you whispered in my ear just now.
Who are yq4a What do you want r.
Tho vagrant looked at Charles for
moment in silence, then, said he:
s'Charles Carleton !-for / believe
that is the name you have given your
self:-Charles Carleton, You ask me
why have thus accosted you. DO
you think ! am going to let you marry
that girl, aud step into fortune un-
less you pay me well for il, knowing
| what I know"
"Knowing what you know! And
/ what may that be? See here, old
man, if you think to bully me into any
concessiuns, you arc sadly deceiying
yourself! Speak out! What have
yo4 to spy {"
II have this to say. Young man, ]
know you. Do you for one mament
imagine that wealthy Mr.. Ward
| would give you his only child in mar
riage If he knew that you were a
foundling, brought up and educated
at the expense of strangers, and now
depending upon chance to conceal
your true history from the public?
can recount your life's story from be-
ginning to end, Listen:
"You were left an infant, at the
doorstep of certain country instittl-
i ton. The inmates took you IN and
cared for you till you We're six years
old. Then the wealthy DIR. Wood
adopted and educated you. You re.
paid him by attempting to ruin his
niece, who loved you as brother.
i "The doctor gave you sum OF
money sufficient to pay your expense.
at the law school, aud bade ypn never
approach him again. So, you see,
am somewhat acquainted with youl
history"
"Viilian !" exclaimed Charles "why
have you told me this? What do YOU
demand of me 2"
"Young man am not what seem
have Just cause for treating yor
thus, but cannot now inform yo,
all. Meet me, tonight, in two hours
from now, and will tell you my de
mands. DO not fail to be here under
J this oak tree, for if you do will ruiz
i. you forever. Beware" and before
Charles could stop him the man wa.
gone.
What to do, the unfortunate young
man did not know. He turned thu
matter over in his mind, and at last
J with an oath softly said to himself
..I'll do it He's but tramp, and il
trying to extort money from me. III
fix him so that he will not be able tt
tell any tales for some time to come,
: and muttering under his breath, ht
walked quickly homeward.
The appointed time came, and arm
J ing himself with a loaded cane, (
deadly weapon, Charles approached
the appointed spot.
4 Yes there was the old man III
J could see him now was his time, ,anG
stealthily drawing near to the mo
. tionless form, Charles raised his clul
and struck the man deadly blow up
on the head.
4 Down he fell, without groan.-
But, oh, horror 1t was not the tramp
He had mistaken his man, it was tn,
grandfather Of his affianced wife, ole
Mr.. Ward.
The unhappy old man had undonbt
edly been restless and had taken {
walk down the quiet street, stopping
for a moment to rest under the tree
and thus had been mistaken BY
Charles for his intended victim.
j The young man did not stop to as
certain his victims condition, bu
rushed from the spot, half crazed
i Some passers by returning home
late, came upon the body of the mur.
dered man with the old tramp bend
ing over it.
j The victim was conveyed to hi.
home, and the old vagrant lodged