The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1879-04-24
A TERRIBLE CRIME.

1t was the Saturday afternoon before
Christmas day, nearly two years ago,
when my six brothers, all younger than
myself, and I were skating on our
'squire's fish-pond. We had been skUt-
ing since dinner, and it was not till tho
wintry daylight was beginning 70 wanC
that the recollection rushed across me
that I had entirely forgotten to do
commission my mother had given me in
the morning, TO walk to the Grange, a
big farm house, and bespeak some geese
for dinner on New Years day.
Who'll go with me to the Grange ?'
called out, quickly.
''Tell the truth, Cis," called out Charley,
aquick, gOOd-natured boy of fifteen, ''and
say you're afraid of Jip. Never mind, I'll
come with you, if you must CO."
Thanks to my brother, was q pretty
good runner, and we sped across the
'squire's fields, and through the narrow
lane toward the Grange as fast as posi-
bic When we got to the last field, which
joined the farm-yard, we slackened
pace a little, and when we got into the
big courtyard itself we were walking
almost slowly.
Jip did not greet us with his usual
noisy welcome, and there was no sound
Of any sort about the place except the
gabbling of some turkeys in the rear of
the farm buildings. We went up and
knocked at the door, and when I turned
round / observed that Jip's kennel,
which stood exactly opposite, in q line
with the front of the house, was empty.
Suddenly some marks of blood on the
tagged pathway in front of the kennel
arrested my attention.
''What can it be, Charlie :" I said in a
whisper.
'T don't know" Charlie returned,
thoughtfully, poor Jip come to grief,
perhaps. It's odd Mrs. johnson doesn't
come; l think Pll 60 on a voyage of
discovery; stay here till I come back ;"
and he pushed the door further open.
HNo, let me 60 too" said hastily,
half frightened. I am a coward at the
sight Of blood"
'Well, don't make a row then" and
We entered together.
There was a big blazing fire in the
CRATE, which showed that on the table
the tea-things were set for tea the
kettle was Kissing away merrily, ami
some tea-cakes stood to keep warm on
low stand before the fire. Everything
looked snug and coy.
I shall never forget the horror of the
next moment. Huddled up, evidently
it the attitude in which, she had fallen,
lay Mrs. johnson, with gaping wound
across her throat, from which the blood
was still triCkling, and Jip, with large
pool Of blood near his head, lay dead
beside her.
I stood for moment, too paralyzed
with horror-suCh intense, thrilling hOr-
ror, that only any one who has eXpe-
nenced such feeling can understand it
and then, with low scream, l sank
on the floor, and put up my hand to try
and hide the horrible sight.
Hush !" whispered Charlie, sternlY
taking hold of my hands, and forcibly
dragging me on to my feet again; you
mustn't make a sound. Whoever has
done this can't be far off; you must run
home, Cissy, as hard as ever you can.
Gomez
I tried, but It was no use; my legs
positively would not move, and precious
time was being wasted.
'eYou fOoll" Charlie said bitterly and
passionately. Then must leave you.
It's JohnsOn's money they no doubt
want, and Johnson will be back directly"
eyes, yes. Go" I said, understanding
that he wanted to fetch help before the
farmer came. "a. will hide somewhere"
"In the kennel there," ," he said, quickly;
"and don't stir"
He pushed me into poor murdered
Jips kennel, and then he disappeared.
I combated the faint feeling which
Charlie could not understand BY pinch
ing my arms and sticking pins into
them, and after little judiCiOus torture
of this sort, the sick feeling went of,
and could think again. 'I will take
of my boots" I thought, after a mo-
ment. 'aThey make such a noise, and I
NAV have to move" had hardly done
this when heard the sound of voices,
and the sick, trembling feeling came on
so strongly that the pin torture had to
be again applied. In another minute
three men came out of the back door,
and could distinctly hear every word
of their conversation.
HHe's late, think" said one,
''He ought TO be coming by now" said
another.
"Well, let's do something now," the
third said, anziously, COR ne shall be
having some one bagU."