Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1882-11-02

One dav the idiot of the village
"Crazy SAM" stood watching Joe.
The lad had something on his weak
mind, and nodded and shook his head
in glee; then drew from his pocket two
silver pieces and gazed on them with
swelling pride. Finally he asked:
why don't you cry, Joe Mann
why don't you cry ?"
The blacksmith Rlowered on him
from under frowning brow.
Id cry if I was you joe" said the
idiot; I'D cry il Richard Ross stole
my GAL
With sound that was half roar
of rage, and half groan of pain, Jos
sprung upon him, and in an instant
had borne him to the floor and set hi
knee upon the IDIOTS breast,
In another NON ent he might have
killed the boy, but the idiots helpless
ness and terror made him pause and
racalled him to himself. A thought
struck him.
"Who told you to say that ?" be de-
manded.
"Rchard Ross. lie gave me the
money for to say it.
The low hound !" shrleked Joe
"Heaven have mercy on his soul /
lie released Crazy Sam, and went
about his work again quite calmly; bu'
the pallor Of his face was awful to see
When evening drew on, he pickec
Up long knife blade, and fitted it IN
to a stout handle. Then lie stepped
+, the grind stone, and sharpened and
ground the rusty blade.
All but Joe was changed . There
was despair and murder IN his noble
! heat.
The night fell; and he stood, knif'
: in band, silently waiting.
"Richard Ross leaves her HON e a
ten, he muttered, "and goes on th'
lonely road through the woods.
- .,,,o ,,i,o lo o6D Ia wei
no longer, bnt sped away to his am
bush Behind two trees, growing
close together, which completely m'
:. him, be crouched and listened.
lie had All hour to wait. The 81
lcnce was ovful. No bird sung among
the trees, and the leaves lung life'ess
stirred by no breath Of wind.
Joe pressed his hand to his fore
head and found it burning hot. II,
began to be afraid, he knew not o
what, perhaps OF his own aon'. tie
felt his murderous purpose weaken
ing. He rose and walked about TIE
wood and thought upon his wrongs
This gave him new resolve, and he re.
turned 10 his hiding place, and crouch
ed again. But again his terror was
renewed, and the hand which held
the knife trembled. The village clock
struck ten, and at every stroke he
shuddered.
lie heard footsteps on the road.
Nearer, nearer came the lnan ioE
whom he waited. For a moment Joe S
mind eemed gone. Before his eyes
he saw great sea Of blood. From
him fell great drops Of sweat. Near
er the footsteps came. His brain clear
ed and he could dimly see the young
mans form a few feet from him. lie
gaz,d through the trees to the sky
and saw single star looking down
upon him like the eye of God. With
a shrek of fear he flung the knife
from him and hed-from murder.
1t was over, and blood was not up.
on his soul.
All that night be lay like one dead
upon the floor Of his little shop. The
morning sun, forcing its way through
the dusty window, fell upon him there
l Miserable as the man was, it saw nc
better sight than his crushed soul saw
ed from crime.
But some ono brighter than the
sunlight entered at the door. 1t was
Nellie She saw him there upon the
floor and her blue eyes filed with
tears. She bent over him and touch
ed him gently.
Joe dear Joe r she called.
Tie sprung to his sect, gazed on her
coldly, and would nave led, bat she