The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-12-17
DREAMT OF MURDER.
a Traveller Relates How He Killed His
Wife and Child.

the IODDN OF tne w lnusOf nOlel- last even
ing, telling stories. Some of them prob
able, but the majority of them so devoid
of the semblance of truth as to stamp
the narrators as belonging to that noble
army of preyaricators which grows
greater as time grows older.
Gentlemen" said one, who had en-
loved himself listening, '.did / ever tell
YOU about my numbering my wife and
child?n
The group looked at him wonderingly,
and one or two shuddered and drew
away from him, but did not leave.
Yes" the gentleman continued,
lighting a fresh cigar, Il killed my wife
and boy baby in Jacksonville, Fla, five
years ago this coming Christmas. 1t
was horrible affair. It's a wonder !
wasn't lynched, but | escaped and came
west. There are great many hard
characters out here who are not half as
honest as | am. Now. | suppose if any
of you fellows had killed a person. rob-
bed bank or done any little thing that
would send you to the penitentiary or
stretch your neck, you wouldn't say any
thing about it."
The nonchalance of the man nonplus-
sed every one. Not word was spoken,
but he was eyed suspiciously, and more
than one hand glided around hip-pocket-
ward.
The gentleman silently pulled his
cigar for a few moments and resumed
his story.
I'm 1875 opened law Office in jack
sonville, Fla, going there from Milledge-
y-i1la I1rha I nd al
In few years | had worked into Il ll-
crative practice, and thought about tax
ing wife. | was pretty popular
young man and could have had my pick,
but those | could get didn't want, and
the one | wanted | couldn't get laid
siege to her heart in the most approved
style, but couldn't capture it. | used to
make practice of asking her to have
me once a week, thinking she might ac-
cept to get rid of me, but she didn't ac-
cept.
I'm November, 1879, was called to
Milledgeville to settle up some business
connected with my fathers estate. The
night before | left, expecting to be alb
sent a month or more, | went to see my
obdurate lady-love and asked her again
to be my wife. She answered no, as
usual, but laughingly told ME, when bid
ding me good-by at the gate, if she
changed her mind before | returned she
would write me.
whats that to do with the killing?''
asked an impatient listener.
''It leads to it. Don't be impatient.
was at my old home about six weeks,
and was making preparations TO remain
during the holidays, but | received IA let
ter one day which caused me to take the
first train back home The letter was
from my ladv-love She told me she had
relented, and if / would return she
would marry me at once. l returned.
didn't ask her any questions. She was
as eager to marry rs | was, and | was SO
infatuated with her that | never suspect
ed anything wrong. WANTED a grand
wedding, but she wanted a quiet affair
so quiet, III fact. that we slipped off one
day and married so secretly that it was Q
week or two before anyone hardly knew
anything about it.
1--WE lived together happily for year.
Ny boy was born, aud | considered my
self the most fortunate man in the
world. About that time some busybody
told me a story about my wife | had
never heard. 1t was to the effect that
while she was attending a female SEMI
nary she eloped with a handsome young
rogue, was captured and brought bach
home. and that she was never weancd OF
her affection for him. My fool friend in
formed me that the fellow was in Jack
sonville before | married, and that my
,fa IN haUn
quently in private places, and, further,
that she had been seen with him several
times since her marriage.
Il was furious, and it was with diff
Guilty that refrained from clutching him
by the throat and forcing him to swallow
that lie. | don't know why / didn't
strike him dead at my feet, but | did not.
went home crazed and delirious. !
walked to and fro in front of my house
for hours. 1t was after midnight when
l entered and made my way to my wife's
sleeping apartment. She was asleep
with her babe pillowed on her breast.
The moon was shining brightly. ! open
ed the shutters and let in a flood of light
which bathed the sleepers in halo of
glory. My God! how beautiful my wife
looked One rounded arm was thrown
around the sleeping infant. Her lips
We're slightly parted. her breath came as
softly and regular as the babes By her
side.
Il went out in the yard and walked
hurriedly to and fro for at least an hour
trying to reason myself into thinking
that my wife was innocent. but | failed
Instead of growing ealmer, l worked
myself into perfect frenzy. Iresolved
to be avenged on the false creature who
had blackened my name. was con-
yinced she was guilty, and / determined
70 cut out her black heart. Full of the
resolve entered the house again and
stealthily made my way to the pantry. l
selected large carving-knife and whet-
ted if to razor edge with the steel l
then retraced my steps to the bedroom.
When l reached the bed l saw that u
heavy curtain had fallen. shutting the
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