Connecticut western news., 1880-03-10


 band has been very ill. We are very poor. It spoils ores temper to be poor, I think i; but I would give you supper if had any myself"
 The young man walked farther into the room, bringing heavy bag with him.
 eff that is all," said he, "perhaps you can buy me some supper and share it with me. With money you can get food here as elsewhere, suppose"
 "Yes, yes," said the old woman.
 The man sat down and took Q wallet from his bosom, and opened it. It was full of lotes and gold and silver. He gave a handful to the old woman, who ran at once to the little shop hard by. Soon fire blazed on the hearth, and coffee and sausages and a loaf of good Pwhite bread were on the table. The candle light fell upon the faces of the bearded man and the two old people. On that of the master of the house rested a strange expression. Since the traveller had produced his wallet he had quite altered his manner he was even civil and fattering. The old woman did not know what to make of the change. However, she said to herself that it was pleasant one, and that it might be the good food. Her husband himself poured out the last cup of coffee which the stranger drank, and as he grew suddenly sleepy soon afterward {, conducted him to his room.
 When the old man returned it was with a yet more strange expression on his face, and as he sat down beside the old woman she saw that he was trembling from head to foot. He evidently had something of imp ortance to say. "Well?" she said, expectantly.
 "'Well," he answered "the coffee was good, the fire, the food. We were comfortable" .......
 "Yes," she said, "we were."
 "And if it could last-if we could be comfortable all our lives It only needs money. Wife-there is money enough in that mans wallet to make us we'll off for life. I have seen itl"
 "Have you 9'' she questioned, shuddering, she knew not why.
 ;" Yes," he answered. "I put the rest of the opiate the doctor gave me when my knee was so bad into his cup. He is very sound asleep. Look here, wife. 'a ~ ..
 He suddenly drew something from his pocket. Itwas the strangers wallet. 9tsOb, good heavens You have not turned rebber ?" shrieked the woman. bss You will be arrested-put in prison i''
 "No," said he. Wife, there is no
 "What do you mean?" cried the woman. .: .s ....s.. .. ..a isShe put her hand on his arm, and drew it back hastily. The sleeve of his coat was wet, and her hand was red and wet also.
 "Blood blood P she moaned.
 "Hold your tongue, woman," cried the old man. The traveller will never awake again. He did not even know No matter-I have done it. No one will inquire after him; he was 8 stranger, and we are rich-rich, I tell you. I have only sent some one to the worms little before his time. It was as well that he should die as I and as for all your trash about the future judgment, you know I laugh at that. I shall perish as my dog does. Mean while, I shall eat. Now stop your bowling, and help me to carry the bit of carrion in there to the cellar. shall bury it, and we will be of. No one will know no one will guess"
 But the old woman lay on the floor sobbing, and he could not make her rise.
 "Do you wish to see me hung ?" he said at last. We must get rid of the body, or shall be"
 Then she arose, and, shaking and tot tering, did as he bade her. Together they dragged the dead body of the man, who had eaten with them an hour be- fore, to the cellar. There, by the flick ering candle, the old man began to dig. It was 8 hard task, but terror inspired him. Meanwhile, long tracks of blood covered the floor. The old woman had no more strength left; she could not wash them up. ... -..
 "Of what good will money be to us I" she cried over and over again" Gods curse will be upon us" .
 She began to hate the old man yet she could not cry out and betray her own husband.
 The candle burnt low; the dead man lay stark and cold upon the cellar floor. A grave was nearly made, when sudden ly strange sounds filed the air. Music and singing, nasty feet, cries from with out of " Mother Ritter Father Ritter halo, there let us in !"
 "What Is thatp ?" cried the old man.
 "My God, I do not know," cried the old woman.
 She arose to her feet and tottered up the ladder stairs. A band of merry neighbors filled the room.
 "Hallo, Mother Ritter H' cried the first. "Ah, you were in your cellar and where is the traveller who came here while ago? We are looking for him."
 "No one has been here" said the old woman.
 "What p said the neighbor, "not here yet But know he is. I came to the door with him; and here is his hat. Why, old mother, what is the matterp"
 "A man came, but he went away. We had nothing to give him." faltered