The Labor enquirer., 1882-12-30
A NEW YEARS STORY.
Z CHAPTER II.

u /. AcHAPTER II. i
It was pale, bitterly cold winters day
when it came, the snow heaped deep on
hills and streets, the wan, New Years
dawn chilling the air more than the close
= wrapping night. She beard, the step at
last, coming up the stone stairs, hesi-
tating as it neared her door, How those
oldslippers of her fathers dragged she
had meant to buy him new pair for
Christmas, but hadn't money -
She looked UP and nodded. as he
opened the door, after ta piping on the
panel.
t"Matty !'' he said. Then he came up,
and, sitting down on the edge of the bed,
drew her close and chafed her face.
"Poor child! poor little Mat" "
Neither of them spoke for time. At
last she raised her head, and said, "Where
is he2"
"Sam?"
She nodded. j
"fn the lower cells. Don't shiver,
Matty. wouldn't hev put him there
there's none but the worst 60 there,
them as is sentenced for murder! But
it was Simons as ordered it. He's got a
spite agin the boy, to start with"
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He gathered up her feet and wrapped
them in a blanket. How did you
know? I thought you we're asleep, poor
little puss, all night It's been long
night to mother and me longest in my
life. For you, you know; Matty. l said
to mother, Who'll tell her? It's Matty
think off, l said" ~"
"There's no danger" said the girl, res
olutely. 'He can prove his innocence
in an hour or two. There is only mis-
take somewhere. If you'll tell me all,
I'll see where it is, father"
The old jaiter coughed to hide groan,
pulled at his ragged whiskers, then took
her hands in his and told her the story.
1t was short and direct enough. Last
night JoeeStileS, the -four inspector, had
been passing down Pleasant street on his
road to the meeting, when hesaw man
come out of Ford's lane (which opened
on Pleasant street,, running, a knife in
his hand, the knife and his clothes
bloody. } Stiles hurried after him, when
the man, who was Sam Carton, dropped
the knife, and told him with husky
voice and every mark of terror, or guilt,
that he had found young Bob Fullmer
dead in the lane, lying against the fence
of back yard, this knife beside him,
Stiles suspicious were aroused by Cartons
manner, and, after finding that Fullmer
was actually dead, he had caused him to
be arrested. Though he's not formally
gone afore magistrate yet" said the
taller. There's many as has heard Sam
swear revenge agin Bob Fullmer, myself
for one"
Martha's heart grew sick as she remem-
bered the last nights conversation.
-~'- "An- now, Matty, i don't believe
Sam did d-this thing; 'twan't fair fight,
or, it might hev SO been, twas FOUL
back handed murder ] don't think as
he did it-nind you. Bit l do say, as
his actions have been onaccountable this
night on any other ground of explainin'.
There's not man as saw. him that would
believe he was not guilty, savin' myself.
That's how the matter stands. Questions
him: WAS nobody by when you finds
the body?' Noanswer. Was any human
person in that lane? Who do you believe
was the murderer? Dumb as mule.
Then says l. Sam Carton, did you kill
this unfortunate man?' No, SO help me
God, / found him as told you, the knife
beside him, them seven wounds in his
breast and stomach hesays, clear and
round. who do you think did the
deed?' then says I. Thsve no more to
say he answers, CROWN sullen."
aiThis was early in the night" said
Martha. Where was he until they
brought him here?p
aIn the station house. close guarded.
Lord, child, the town was wild with it !;
the meetin' was broke up. The Fullmers
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