The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-10-03

OOIlef OF my happy nome
and of the dear little wife now perhaps
dreaming OF me, and the thought of he1
gave M courage. I determined te
snatch at my money and fight fol
it with the unseen yisitor-to the
death, if need be. I was crawl.
ing from under the bed, when
heard another sound, nearing the door
this time. In a single minute tie latch
was quietly lifted, the door was gently
pushed open, and / saw the landlord
glide into thereon. Then hand hold
ing a candle stole in at the door-only
q hand; but I knew those quivering fin.
gers we'll enough. The man crept on
tip-toe to the bed, and, leaning softly
over the sleeper, stabbed hum to the
heart. There was n deep groan, and
all was oyer. The murderer drew the
money from under the pillow, and crept
s%tealthily to the door, glancing behind
him, as though he feared the dead mar
would get up and follow him.
Shaking all over, and with hair OF
end, l crawled from my hiding place,
CROPPED about for my clothes, and, after
standing n moment, dazed with horror
followed the guilty couple. Their room
was almost opposite mine, and 1 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 thai
l crept close to them without being
heard. :
"Look, look I heard the man whis,
per-sthere is more than enough tc
save u boyl How they shinel And
all ours, wife-oursH
mo, mine, murderer! I shouted
with a voice of thunder; and, snatchina
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, breathless. As I rested q mo.
ment to get my breath, I heard from
the window above an awful cry suns
out in a woman's voice
"My boy, my boy, my only sonv
l clambered over the gate which LED
into the street. A Matchbox stood
close by in the square, and I hurrledly
told my story to the Waterman. HI
stared in horror, as well he might, and
wanted to fetch his mate; but / told hin
we were more thar a match for those we
should find at the inn; so he came witt
me. A frightened servant opened the
door to us, and led the way to the
room l had just quilted. The watch.
man bent down, and peered into the
dead mans face.
"'Ah,' he whispered, it's as I feared
It's their own son-they didn't know
he was home, and 30 they mistook hin
for you, SIR
81 felt myself turn queer and giddy
for now I knew the meaning of thai
pitiful cry, MY only SOM
"And what Of the m%urderers? 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 q chair by
the bed. When we entered, he hello
out his hands to be manacled, without
uttering a word. When told him how
it happened hat 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 Tyburn; but no,
another word did he epeak from first tc
last, save once-and that was when the
Judge passed sentence on hlm. Then
he raised his head, and, with a look in
his eyes which I can never forget he
said
"'An old, old man, my lord-my on.
" son!'
That's all, sir. The strangest story
you eve heard? Well, I dare say it is
but it's oil true, every word oft; 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,
III hid you good day, and thank yor
kindly for letting me talk to you for il
does me good to chat a bit sometimes
that it do! Good day, sir, and a pleas.
ant walk to you'll"