Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-04-24


and when half an hour passed, and my
wife did not get back, Tell into great
thinking, and SO many things came
crowding, crowding into my mind.
's'That is his wife with him. said to
myself, and that little tot, trudging, is
J his child. God forgive me, what am
l trying to dog To make that young
woman widow, and the little tot an or
phan9"
"The perspiration stood in big drops
on nv FACET could scarcely breathe.
"Suddeniy, the vision of the young girl
waiting for her father to come home ap
peared to me. There she was, standing
in the doorway.
"'He shall hangv I exclaimed, aloud.
He shall hangI What is his young wife
to me, or the little child, either'
After that | settled down, weak as a
kitten, and waited till my wife came
back.
When she did come, she did not look
to me TO he he same woman she was
She had taken off her hat and was swing
ing it, crazy-like, in her hand. Her eyes
were as big again as they were before,
and she looked neither to the right nor
left, but pumped herself square into her
seat, and said nothing.
Well, where did he 60 too asked after
a little.
PETER said nay wife solemnly. are
you sure he Is the one?'
"'Sure as am that we are now talking
together
"Then may the Lord have mercy on
our soulsr she exclaimed.
I thought she had gone off in fit, but
she came TO, presently. and undertook TO
tell me-.
IL followed them to Mr.. P-'s
house, she articulated, AS sure as l
live, I followed them to Mr.. P--'s
home, where Mr.. P IS widow lives,
and there they went in. l asked the
servant, who stood on the stoop minute,
if the gentleman and his wife were stay
ing there
"'What's that to you. Impudence,' she
said.
Nothing answered; 'only l thought
| knew the gentleman
"'Then you ought to know he stays
here without asking And with that
the door Was slammed in my face. Ga,
Peter, Peter, it can't be the one.'
"Is the one,' repeated, and that I'll
prove in less than an hour
II started fer Lawyer E--. He
went with me at once to tn head police.
The head police took me all to pieces
again; then he charged me to say moth
ing myself, and not to let my wifesbreathe
q word to any one.
81 heard not a thing for threedays, and
began to think it was all given up, when
slap came the arrest, and was called on
to be present at the examination.
II never told the particulars of the aw
full tale but once since. doubt if ever
can do it again"
The cobblcr stopped, took long
breath, an proceeded:
"What do you suppose? 1t was Mr..
P-'s own nephew who lived in Plila
delphia, who murdered him. He con-
fessed the whole before he came to trial.
He had been on here for two days, aad
taken leave OF his uncle the night be-
fore, expected to start for home in the
morning, but being detained, next day
he walked to the count'ng-room and saw
the uncle stepping down to his vault. He
entered, unperceived, and waited till the
vault was opened, and then committed
the murder and robbery. He escaped
without notice, and if thirty minutes
after be left my shop ne was on the train,
and, strange 10 say, was never suspected.
Three years afterward he courted and
married his cousin, Miss P. whom on
that fatal day encountered at the door.
She was his wife, and little Tot their
daughter On, ny Col!
He was tried, found guilty and SEN
fenced to be hanged. Tie governor COM
muted the sentence TO State prison for
life. There he is now.
II sometimes feel sorry" continued the
cobbler. after pause, ''that l ever saw
the man. But" he added thoughtiully,
~ suppose it was best"
What became of his wife and child?"
81 cam ct tell-iheg lett the country.
Dead, for aught I know. - Richard B.
Ksm6dH.