The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-03-17
panion. My worst fears were realized.
He was dead black in the face
strangled in my sleep!

panion. My worst fears were realized.
He was dead black in the face
strangled in my sleep
I shall not attempt to describe my
sensation at this horrible spectacle.
My body was bathed in a cold persplra-
ton, my hands trembled, and for few
moments l believe was bereft of my
senses. recovered by degrees-but it
was only to realize in more acute de-
gree the horrors of my situation. There
lay my victim and l was q murderer!
MY trial, conviction and the hideouS
gallows all passed in rapid review be-
| foreme. Who would believe me sat
down, buried my face in my hands and
sobbed like child. My wife, my own
comfortable home-sLould | ever see
them again
What was to be done? Should I
arouse the house and make a clean
breast of it But what could l say
Tell them I had killed man in my
sleep !? Not soul would believe the
story. Could effect my escape I'm
| possible; the crime would be discovered
before l could leave the city, ard
should be arrested; then the law would
take its course, and should be hanged
BY the neck until I was dead.
Hanged by the neck! Yes. that would
be nv fate. AS this terrible thought
crossed my mind I cast nay eyes around
the chamber, and they fell upon the
beam with the hooks in it. From thence
they wandered to the handkerchief cov-
ering the dead mans clothes.
A means Of safety suggested itself to
my mind. Suppose could make it ap-
pear that the man had committed sui
eide. Yes, that was my only chance,
and I determined to put it into execu-
ton.
I took the dead mans handkerchief,
and advanced to the corpse with great
deal of repugnance, but with more
courage than | could have anticipated.
NY own fearful situation, no doubt, ami
mated me to IN extent that | should
never otherwise have dreamed of. I
made a moose in the handkerchief and
slipped it over the dead mans neck. /
then lifted the body out of bed, and,
standing on chair. fastened the other
end of the handkerchief to hook in the
beam. I now let the body 60, and it
swung in space.
/ Jumped into bed, and shut my eyes
to close the horrid sight from my gaze.
determined to wait there until some
body should come into the room, and
then pretend that I knew nothing ut all
about it, and that the man must have
got up in the night and hanged himself.
lay quaking and trembling for over
an hour. 1t grew broad daylight. l
felt the sun shining directly on the bed,
but dare not open my eyes tor fear that
l should encounter the dangling corpse.
Suddenly I heard the step Of two men
on the stairs. They appeared to be
carrying something heavy between
them. The long-anticipated moment
was approaching. In a few seconds
more they would discover the body.
My life depended in great degree upon
their opinion. If they were deceived
by my ruse others might be.
The door opened and two men entered
the chamber, placing something heavy
or the floor.
"Well, I'm blessed if this man hasn't,
hanged himself again." exclaimed q
voice which recognized 10 be the land
lords.
by golly! that's true" said the
other man. "No, see how it is; the
stranger found out the trick you played
on him, and not liking the idea of sleep
ing with corpse, he tucked him up
there to get him out of the way"
you're right" replied the landlord;
"well, he's cool 'un anyhow, and would
you believe it, last night l thought he
was a coward That only shows how
easy it is to be mistaken in people. And
now he sleeps us soundly rs church;
let's be careful not to wake him."
I breathed freely. for I Immediately
understood the whole matter. The
landlord had put ne to sleep with a
dead man. / heard them take down
the body and put it into coffin-for 1t
was that they had brought with them.
They carried it away and was left to
myself. With my mind thus relieved !
fell asleep and enjoyed two hours
delicious slumber. I then got up,
dressed myself, and proceeded down
stairs.
"Good morning." said I to the land
lord. who was behind the bar.
Good mornin',' SIR" he replied,
sheepishly; Il hope you slept we'll"
"Splendidly," returned; my bed
fellow gave trouble at first. but soon
got rid of him."
know you did" returned mine host,
with knowing wink. "Well, | must
say, you are the coolest chap 1 ever
saw"
Not another word passed between us
with reference to the affair; and / after
ward learned from the conversation Of
the people while was at breakfast that
my companion for the night was a
drover, who, having made a reinous
speculation in cattle. had committed
suicide by hanging himself in the cham
Der the night before.
left the Golden Angel that morning,
having obtained quarters at Barnum' 9
hotel. I wer to the convention, voted
six hundred t. 1es for, and returned
home, having given full satisfaction to
Mr.. Ardew.
l told my adventure to my friends
not as I have told it to you, dear reader.
but with the same construction that the
landlord of the Golden Angel put upon
it. Everybody thought had displayed
extraordinary GOODNESS and intrepidity.
There is one thing, however, to which
have fully made up my mind, and that
is, will never attend another political
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