The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-08-09


What was life to him, anyhow, but one
relentless warfare, to which there seemed
no ending, and for brighter day not the
shadow of hope.
What fatality had directed him here
Why was he undergoing this mental con-
fict? He knew not, nor cared. His race
seemed run-he had no thought of his fu-
ture safety or what his ending might be-
This hopelessness, this despair, this desper-
alton had wrought out one resolve, one
purpose, which he meant to execute. There
seemed an impending evil hanging over
him which could not be averted-an ire
sistible impulse to perpetrate some deed
that would darken his whole after life.
One night as Bernardo lay upon his
pallet of straw in the same locality, and not
many miles from the little house we have
Just pictured, some years before his reap.
pearance in this neighborhood, he over
heard conversation relative to the Hart
groves and description of them and theil
situation.
1t was asserted at that time, although
they were plain, unassuming people, that
they were the possessors of considerable
amount of money. This incident was
freshened in his memory-Could this be
the Hartgrove habitation? He meant to
find out And his first question to the
tall, trembling woman, who stood eagerly
watching him and vainly surmising the OBJ
iect of his invasion into her quiet home
"Do the Hartgroves live here ?" Upon the
poor creatures affirmation that that was
their humble abode, he demanded their
money. Despite her protestations that
they had none and her numerous declara-
tions of poverty and afiiction, he threat
ened to take her life if she did not pro-
duce it.
In pleading attitude she fell upon her
knees to implore his mercy, in which posi-
ton we last see her alive; for in one awful
moment of despiration he drew back the
cane, which he still held in his hand, and
struck her a fatal blow upon her head.
She reeled and fell-dead.
He Immediately instituted search for
that which had caused him to commit the
blackest crime of his life.
He had not long been engaged in this
nefarious business, when sound as of ap-
preaching footsteps engaged his ear. Was
not she alone? Who could this be
What if the pedestrian should come in as
he had done? Could it be her husband,
whom she said was afflicted, in her last
moments upon earth?
With lightning rapidity these thoughts
sped through his brain. He now realized
his situation in all its horror What if he
should be found the only occupant with a
murdered woman? Fear took hold of him
with demon-like claws. There seemed
something yet in life that shrank at the
awful thought and startled at the conse-
quent destruction,
Actuated by his fearful situation, dazed
aud bewildered, he sought the first means
of escape, and the murderer was soon lost
in the surrounding woods. On and on he
sped, recklessly and aimlessly, through
fields and woods, over hills and through
valleys, pausing not but surmounting every
barrier that crossed his path.
Darkness soon spread her sombre mantle
over all the earth, shelteriug him from the
observation of any he might pass, but in
creasing the difficulty of travel and aug
menting the number of obstacles in his
way. He regarded it not, but pushed on
the more diligently.
While we leave the fugitive murderer
pursuing his wretched way, let us go back
to the poor Hartgrove cottage.
Mr., Hartgrove at the time of the muir
derers invasion into his domicile had gone
out into the little orchard to gather the
scanty crop of the year; for, as we have
said, but few trees were prolific.
After he had collected them and placed
the few that he could manage in each sack
he had taken with him, was in the act of
carrying them to little outhouse that
stood in the rear of the main building.
1t was when he approached thus near
that the murdered heard and was startled
at his footsteps He did not come in, and
it was drawing late in the evening when
he had finished his work that he retired to
his tireside to rest. But, imagine his con-
sterpatiop and horror when he beheld lying
at his feet the lifeless form of she who had
been his companion for 10 these many,
many years. Had she died during his
short absence? But, 10 and behold, as he
was raising her lifeless body from the floor,
dark, swollen scar across her temple met
his gaze. Had she fallen in an apoplectic
and expired, or had she been murdered ?
No, no, this could not be, for there had
been no one near.
In the sorrow and anguish of hereaved
husband, he hurried to the neighboring
town and gave the alarm.
A jury was Immediately summoned and
the usual formula gone through with; but
all efforts to fix the crime upon any one
proved unavailing, and verdict was rem
dered that "she came to her death by a
blow upon the head or wound inflicted;
cause unknown"
In the meantime daylight dawped upon
the flying murderer, and when the sun be,
gan to emhlazen the eastern horizon, he
looked and beheld from his elevated posi-
ton the village of his youth spread out
before him, Weary and exhausted, and
the unexpected revelation which daylight
had brought, overcame him, and he sank
down to the earth.
What had brought him here? Why
had he in his aimless flight taken this
course? Oh! how he suffered, the re-
morse that inevitably fnllows such a deed,
How many times he wished that he had
died ere he committed that atrocious crime,
Oh that he could die now.
But death did not come. It was not to
come in that manner, but he was to exc
out his existence in living death. He
arose and followed the meandering path to
the village. Behold how the villagers look
at him He is not recognized. Many
who had known him in his childhood had
passed away, and to those with whom he
used to associate he was so changed.
His sudden and unexpected advent into
their usually quiet village was quite sur
prise, and long after he became known he
was scanned with singular scrutiny, on ao,