Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1884-09-04

"My bedroom was long, low room,
with queer old furniture, quaint carved
chairs, and a great four-post bedstead
which seemed as big as hearse. There
was no lock to the door, and the bolts
were rusty, SO I could only put the latch
down. l thought Of putting chair
against it, but that seemed childish and
no protection after ALL The night was
wet and windy, and the sky black as ink.
Try as I would I couldn't get to sleep,
and there lay listening to the ghostly
tapping of the ivy leaves against the
window, and thinking of the evil look
in the landlords eyes, and all the horrid
into my mind, when suddenly l started
up in bed, wide awake enough, for I
heard something or some one climbing
up the ivy to nay window. l lay with
palpitating heart and straining eyes, lis
tening to the horrible ghostly rustling,
which every moment sounded nearer.
Suddenly thought struck me, and I
arose, hastily smoothing the bed clothes,
as though the bed had not been slept in.
l had just time to creep under the bed
when the window was shaken open, and
somebody softly slipped in. 1t was a
man and, listening intently, heard him
sigh YEARLY to himself, as if he were
tired out Then he got into my bed,
drew the clothes over him, and in few
minutes / heard him snoring. You can
imagine how pleasant felt, and the
scamp had my money bag under his pill
low, too! What was to be done? l thought
of my happy home and the dear little
wife now perhaps dreaming of me, and
the thought of her gave me courage. l
determined to snatch at my money and
fight for it with the unseen visitor to the
death, if need be. was crawling from
under the bed when l heard another
sound nearing the door this time. In q
minute the latch was quietly lifted. the
door was gently pushed open, and | saw
the landlord glide into the room. Then
hand holding candle stole in at the
door-only hand; but l knew those
qrivering fingers we'll enough. The man
crept on tiptoe to the bed and leaning
softly over the sleeper, stabbed him to
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 be-
hind 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 place,
CROPPED about for my clothes, and after
standing moment dazed WITH horror,
followed the guilty couple. Their room
was almost opposite mine, SO | could see
the light shining 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 intent upon the money that
crept close up to them without being
heard.
Look, look" heard the man whisper
there is more than enough to save
our boy. How they shine. And all ours,
wife-ours!'
"No, mine. murderer" l shouted with
a voice Of thunder, and snatching the
bag from his nervous grasp dashed the
light from the woman's hand and fled
back swiftly to the room where the dead
man lay.
Opening the window l CROPPED about
with one hand for an ivy Dough, cling
ing somehow to the sill with the other,
1 and at last managed to scramble down,
reaching the ground bruised, shaken and
breathless. As rested moment to get
my breath, heard from the room above
an awful crv, sung out in a woman's
voice.
'"My boy, my boy, my only son"
~ clambered over the gate which led
into the street. A Matchbox stood close
by in the square, and I hurriedly told
my story to the Waterman. He stared
in horror, and wanted to fetch his mate;
| h,,f fn1 h,y,, q
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 l had just quilted
The Waterman bent down and peered
into the dead mans face.
"'Ah,' he whispered, It's as feared
It's their own son-they didn't know he
was home, and so they mistook him fol-
you, sir
Il felt myself turn queer and giddy
for / knew the meaning Of that pitiful
cry: My only son"
"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 upin chair by the
bed. When we entered he held out his
hands to be manacled without uttering q
word. When told him that his son had
fallen victim instead of me he just
stared in my face, and made no sign thai
he heard the CHASTITY tale.
swell, sir, that's about all. The moth
or, poor soul, died raving mad, and the
man was hanged at Tyburn; but not an
other word did he speak from first tt
last, save once-and that was when the
Judge passed sentence on him. Their
he raised his head, and with look ii
his eyes which can never forget, ht
said:
AN old, old man, my lord-my only
sonw
That's all, sir. The strangest story
you ever heard? Well, dare say it is
but it's all true, sir, every word ofit; fo
I've got the papers to prove it, and i
you'll be pleased to come in and see 'em
you'll be welcome as flowers in May
that you will! Not now? Well, then,
will bid you good day and thank yol
kindly for letting me talk to you, for j
does me good to chat bit sometimes
that it do. Good day, sir, and a pleasan
walk to you"