The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-12-06
A PIECE OF CLOTH.

vas rising along country road with
deuse woods ON both sides, and it was
fast getting dark, wren suddenly /
thought l heard groan. l dismounted
aud made my way through the bushes
aud soon stumbled upon the PROSTATE
body Of man. l collected pile of
dry branches and lit II fire. The flames
AHred mp and by their light again
looked at the stranger. 1t was my
brother. l bent over him and uubut.
toned his coat. CHASTITY wound III his
side met my view, aud realiz ID that il
had been made by ball from pistol.
| ran to II neighborin5 brook aud fill, d
my hat with water and. letting him
drink some, 1 m,i4tened his face and
hnnd~; then, wetiing my handkerchief,
plac,dit on the wound.
TEL me who did it. Alf."
Don't know his name said he. He
is " pr tty tall man black eyes aud hair
-yonug-little finger on right"
lie stopped suddenly and never spoke
another word
No parents were living and the only
one who really mourned was Nellie Bur.
ton-who had been engaged TO my
bro;her-anh myself, After the funeral
l roceeded to the place where the u.u,.
I.-1slt ts,l 4
l could not fnd another clue. found
one thing wuich though, migth prove
something. 1t was picce of cloth of
bright color and fantastic print, which
had been bound around u fiuger.
A week after the funeral found my
self ut Nellie Burton's horse AZ visitor.
there was introduced to stranger by
tho name Of Hiram Sheffield. | had not
heen there long when / saw he was as.
plring to .be baud of Nellie. He seemed
to feel disappointed when she did not
seem merry. tor it showed that she cared
more for Alfred Lawrence. my brother
than he wished.
Miss Barton seems to have cared n
Rrent deal for your brotber, Mr.. Law
renee" said he to me once when Nellie
had left the room.
There was n scarcely preceptible sneer
in his voice that stung my heart to the
core.
When went home wac invited by
Mr. Sheffield to call upon him. The
next day found me at the residence of the
Sheflirlds.
l was shown into the parlor and told
that Hiram would be down soon. Pres
emily little girl OF ten came in.
Hiram said he'd be down right
away" she said, as she seated herself
on low chair. She then opened
small basket aud poured the contents
into her lap. Tney were only rags,
probably used for her doll.
They're to dress my DOLL" she said
proudly. Suddenly "A piece of cloth
among her collections caught my eye.
"Wll you let me see this?" asked, as
l took it,
oh. yes" she answered. Hiram
tore piece off for his finger. IL WAS
bleeding, and he didn't cry bit,'
Fortunately had the scrap which |
had picked up IN the woods with me. II
took it out aud held it to the other piece.
L fitted exactly, aud the print was Just
the same. | handed her back Ihe piece
and presently Hiram came IN. kept
mp Appearance MS we'll as 1 could, aus.
~ering hi, questions IN monosyllables,
but asking none myself.
During the interview observed his
right hand very carefully, and at one
time, when he put his hand to his mouth
the little finger was shown plainly. II
was sure Of my man then. The little
finger on the left hand was terribly
scared and seemed like mass of bruis-
ed flesh.
l left Mr.. Sheffield and Immediately
proceeded to Mr.. Burton's residence and
asked for Nellie. From her l ascertain
ed the following facts. Mr. Sheffield had
come Ia our village lev moaths before
Hnd had often visited tue Burtuus. Just
before the murder lie had proposed to
Nsllie aud she had toll hln that she
was engaged TO Alfred. He bad stayed
a~ay unul aftsrmy brothers funeral aud
now he ag ia came regularly.
Mr.. Hiram Sheffield was arrested. At
his rlai l gaYe my evidences aAd he was
condemned TO die. Eyeu when was
told that he bad committed suicide felt |
that my desire Tor revenge was satisfied,
Tor deem death by ouu's own hand Is
dissrAaalal as banging, OF. at least ,aear-
ly 30.