Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-09-26

done? l. thought of my happy home.
and of the dear little wife now perhaps
dreaming Of me, and the thought Of her
gave me courage. : determined to
snatch at my money and tight for
it with the unseen Yisitor--to the
death, il need be. I, was crawl
ing from under the bed, when
] heard another sound, nearing the door
this time. In single minute TIE latch
was quietly lifted, the door was gently
pushed open, and I saw the landlord
glide into the room. Then hand hold
ing candle stole in at the door-only
hand; but I knew those quivering fin
gers well enough. The man crepr on
tip toe to the bed, and, leaning softly
over the sleeper, stabbed HIM to the
heart. There was one deep groan, and
all was oyer. The murderer drew the
money from under the pillow, and crept
stealthily to the door, CHANGING behind
him, as though he feared the deed man
would get up and follow him.
Shaking all over, and with hair OF
end, Iorawled from my hiding place,
CROPPED about for my clothes, and, after
standing moment, dazed with horror,
followed the guilty couple. Their room
was almost opposite mine, and I could
see the light under their door, which
was barely closed, I pushed it open and
peeped in. The table faced the door;
and there they stood with their backs
to me, so intent upon the money that
/ crept close to them without being
heard. '..s
=. Look, look I heard the man whis-
per-'there is more than enough to
save our boy! How they shine! And
all ours. wife--oursp
mo, mine, murderer I shouted,
with voice Of thunder: and, snatciine
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, I CROPPED
about with one hand for an ivy bough,
clinging somehow to the sill with the
other, and at last managed TO scramble
down, reaching the ground bruised,
shaken, breatbless. AS rested o mo.
m.ent to get my breath, I heard from
the window above an awful cry sung
OUT I'D q woman 8 VOICE
"'My boy, my boy, my only son!'
clambered over the gate which led
into the street. A watchbox stood
close by in the square, and I hurrledly
told my story to the Waterman. He
stared in horror, as we'll he might, and
wanted to fetch lis maize; but I 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 peered into the
dead mans face.
"*Ah,' he whispered, it's as 1 feared!
It's their own son-they didn't know
he was home, and so they mistook him
for you, sir.
II felt myself turn queer and giddy,
for now knew the meaning of that
pitiful cry, My only SOM
And what Of the murderers? They
had not so much as tried to escape, and
the door wasn't even barred against us.
The woman lay moaning on the floor;
the man sat huddled up in a chair by
the bed. When we entered, he held
out his hands to be manacled, without
uttering word. When told him how
it happened that his son had fallen a
victim instead of me, he just stared in
my face and made no sign that he heard
the CHASTITY tale.
well, sir, that's about all. The
mother, poor soul, died raving mad, and
the man was hanged at Tybnrn; but not
another word did he epeak from first to
last, save once-and that was when the
Judge passed sentence on HIM. Then
he raised his head, and, with 81 look in
his eyes which I can never forget he
said
"'An old, old man, my lord-my on
ly son?
"That:s all, sir. The strangest story
you ever heard? Well, I dare say it is
but it's all true, every word Of it; for I've
got the papers to prove it, and, if you'll
will be pleased to come in and see 'em,
you'll be welcome as flowers in May,
that you will! Not now? Well, then,
I'll bid you good day, and thank you
kindly for letting me talk to you, for it
does me good to chat a bit sometimes,
that it do! Good day, sir, and pleas.
ant walk to your