Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1884-08-07

10 my WlnuOW. l lay Win palpltallnp |
heart and straining eyes, listening to
the horrible rustling which every mo-
ment sounded nearer.
Suddenly n thought struck me; and
| arose, hastily smoothing the bed
clothes, as though the bed had not
been slept in. had just time to creep
under the bed when the window was
shaken open, and somebody softly
slipped in. II was a man, and, listen
ing intently, heard him sigh YEARLY
to himself, rs il he were tired out.
Then he got into my bed, drew the
clothes over him, and in few minutes
| heard him snoring. You can inn
agine how pleasant | felt, and the
scamp had my money bag under his
pillow, toO!N What was to be done?
| thought of my happy home and the
dear little wife now perhaps dreaming
of me, and the thought of her gave me
courage. | determined to snatch mt
my money and fight for it with the un-
seen visitor to the death, if need be.
| was crawling from under the bed,
when | heard another sound, nearing
the door this time. In minute the
latch was lightly lifted, the door was
gently pushed open, and | saw the
landlord glide into the room. Then Il
hand holding candle stole in at the
door-only hand; but | knew those
quivering fingers well enough. The
man crcpt on tiptoe to the bed, and,
leaning softly over the sleeper, stabbed
him in the heart, There was one
deep groan and all was over. The
murderer drew the money from under
the pillow and crept stealthily to the
door, glancing behind him as though
he feared the dead man would get up
and follow him.
Shaking all over and with hair on
end crawled from my hiding-placc,
gropcd about for my clothes, and, af-
ter standing moment, dazcd with
horror, followed the guilty couple.
Their room was almost opposite mine,
and could see the light under their
door, which was barely closed, |
pushed it open and peeped in. The
table faced the door, and there they
stood, with their backs to me, SO in
tent upon the money that crept close
to them without being heard.
"Look, look, | heard the man
whispcr-'therc is more than enough
to save our boy! How they shine!
And all ours, wife ours
"'No, mine, murderer | shouted
with voice of thunder, and, Snatching
the bag from his nerveless grasp, |
dashed the light from the woman's
hand and fled back swiftly to the room
where the dead man lay.
Opening the window, | CROPPED
about with one hand for an ivy bough,
clinging somehow to the sill with the
other, and at last mana ged TO scramble
down, reaching the ground bruised,
shaken, breathless. As | rested Il
moment to get my breath, | heard
from the room above an awful cry
sung out in Il womans voice
"'My boy, my boy, my only son!
II clambcred over the gate which
led into the street. A watch-boX stood
close oy in the square, and hurriedly
told my story to the watchman. He
stared in horror as well he might, and
} wanted to fetch his mate: but | told him
we were more than match for those we
should find at the inn, so he came with
} me. A frightened servant opened the
door to us, and | led the way to the
/; room | had Just quilted. The watch
man bent down and pcered into the
dead mans face
"'Ah,' he whispered, its as
feared! It's their own son-thcy didn't
know he was home, and so they mis-
took him for you, sir.
al felt myself turn queer and giddy
: for knew the meaning of that pitifu
cry, My only SOM!
"And what of the murdcrcrsP They
E had not so much as tried to escape, ,ant
; the door wasn't even barred agains
, us. The woman lay moaning on The
| floor; the man sat huddled up in ;
! chair by the bed. When we entered
| he held out his hands to be manaclct
} without uttering a word. When tolC
| him how it happened that his son hat
, fallen Il victim instead of me, he jus
1 stared in nay face and made no sigl
| that he heard the ghastly tale.
4 "Well, sir, that's about all. Th,
t mother, poor soul, died raving mad
and the man was hanged at Tybum
., but not another word did he speal
Y from first to last, save oncc-and tina
Y was when the Judge passed sentenc
on him. Then he raised his head, and
Z, with a look in his eyes which | ca
D never forget, he said
n "'An old, old man, my lord-m
only son!"
r That all, sir. The strangest stor
h you ever heardP Well, | dare say
c is; but it's all true, every word of
/, for I've got the papers toprove it, and
A if you'll be pleased to come in and Sc
t 'em, you'll be welcome as flowers i
c May, that you will Not now? Vel
$ then, I'll bid you good day, and than
y you kindly for letting me talk to yor
: for it does me good to chat a bit some
S times, that it do! Good day, sir, an
g pleasant walk to you!