The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-08-11

of thrilling pleasure to him. The sun has gone down and the court-house dome has grown "dimmer in the fad ing light" Thompson and Jones set out on semi- -meditative stroll. The dew is gathering on the oak leaves and the whipporwilps sounding of his un- harmonic tune arouses the night bird to hoot of scorn and derision. The passing ox-cart stirs the dew laden dust, and the young fox, with experi- mental bark, apes his grandsire, who, yelping, capers on distant hill. The duttering screech owl, with heavy and uncertain wing, strikes with awkward bump the dead trees crumbling snag, and the youthful rabbit, surprised at his suddenly-fou agility, bounds across the road and timid in regret of ostentations, hides himself among the stalks of rank angelica.
 "We have walked about far enough , says Thompson. "To tell you the truth, it is not altogether safe out here."
 "Why not?"
 "Oh, well, on account of the evil minded men that turk about the sub- urbs of the town. Night before last two gentlemen were walking out here, when suddenly bang went gun. One of the men fell. The other one, natu- rally frightened, ran back to town. A party of men went out and found that the man who had fallen was dead. An attempt was made to find out who the murderers were, but thus far no clue has been discovered. The two men had come just this far. I think they had stopped near this very stump when the murderous shot was fired. I think we'd better"
 "Bang, 6dng!"
 Thompson, with groan, falls over. Jones, almost frightened out of his wits, takes to his heels. He runs into the hotel, the only resort of the town, and, with excited panting, tells the bloody story of his friends assassina- tion. Of course every one is thrilled, but an officer, who happens to be present, arrests Jones, declaring that he may be the murderer. Jones is stricken with horror, and just as the officer is about to lead him off to jail, Thompson walks into the room. Then everybody yells, and Jones is com pelled to "set up" the drinks.
 Rogersville, Tenn, has gained noto- riety on account of this species of jok- ing. Several days ago a man named Fuller went to the town to sell bro- gan shoes. He was very lively in conversation, and "chawed" nearly every one who held conversation with him. The boys "nudged" each other and chuckled. MT. Fuller should pay dearly for his levity. One evening Thompson invited Fuller to take a walk. He did not care to walk, but he would go.
 "Just us two?" Fuller asked.
 "Yes," Thompson replied. "I wanted some of the other boys to go, but they all have engagements. Let us walk out toward Hickory Knob"
 "This is very lonely neighbor- hood" said Fuller, as they walked along."
 "Yes," Thompson replied, land am sorry we came this way"
 "Why so?"
 "Well, it is not altogether safe. The other evening some of the boys were walking out here and were fired into by a party of murderous rascals."
 "None of them were hurt, hope
 "Yes, one man was killed.n
 ~You don't say sol" Fuller ex- claimed.
 "Yes, and we never have been abls to find out who committed the crime There seems to be an organized band in this neighborhood, got together foI the mere purpose of murder. thinh we have gone about far enough. Sorry we cams this way. That stump there is called sMurderer's Mark This is . very lonely place.S
 sSo 1t l." Fuller replied
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