Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1889-07-21
CHAPTER ".

from his grave on the edge of the pine
forest. discussing on their way back 10
Dsadman's Fiat the reason of the murder
and the probability of the discovery OF the
murderer, GO-for-him Tom must nave
been dead some bdsys when he was
fouud-so mis- fellow townsmen surmised
for ne was recognizA able only by the clothes
he wore. HIS death was mystery
Though two or three Of his acquaintance
in the town were known to hate him, MS
murder could not be brought home to any
of them. Most Of his fellow townsmen
felt that he quite deserved his fate; bat
the lawless acts of crime and violence
which had become so alarmingly frequent
among them made them all decide that
the murderer in this case should be 1ouno
and made an example OF.
A committee was formed to discuss the
matter. aud, after leaving the grave, these
men repaired to the Red Unicorn, " where
taking possession in solemn state OF spare
room set apart for private use, they pro-
cefdsd to talk over the affair. Inc less
privileged public hung about the bar or
the open space in front of the grog snop,
discussing the matter too, growing more
decided in their opinions in proportion to
the consumption of spirits. -,
''Hullo, mister, what's your opinion
asked one, tawny haired miner, with
picturesque, but extremely dirty red SHIRT,
with trousers patched with pieces OF cloth
of various cOlOrs.
He addressed q gentleman who repre-
sented the higher civilization OF town lie
! by shabby, greasy frOck coat, minus
most of the buttons, a frayed and crum'
pled pair of cuffs attached to the shirt that
was vet scrupulOusly clean, having only
/ inst lett the wash tuh. His trousers were
baqgy at the knees, but as they were as
vet of one color and piece, and had quite
fashionable cut among the varied
and curious garments, that prevailed
among the male population OF Deadman 5
T Fiat. This gentleman had been very tipsy
when he started for the funeral. SO very
tipsy indeed that, when he had insisted
upon going close to the grave to have one
more look, be had only been saved from
tumbli1g in by a stalwart miner VINO
caught him by the ample tails OF the frocS
coat, remarking that be had never known
what was the use Of all that stuffin coat.
The gentleman was drunk then, but ne
was considerably worse now. When thus
suddenly appealed to, as ne stood propped
ND against the fence, he could only recall
that one little accident.
''You shouldn't have done it," he said
mourfully, shaking his head, and trying
to point an impressive finger at the TREND
" miner, bat nearly losing his balance ID
the attempt at wash all peaceful down
there. 1t looked sho cool and peaceful
-wantsch to be at peace with him too!'
4 roar of irreverent laughter greeted
/ this desire for peace.
He looked at them reproachfully; but
his hat, which had fallen over one eye,
rather spoilt the affect by giving him a
decidedly rakish appearance, and as he
/ lurched from side to side his attempt at
solemn dignity was failure.
You'll be shorty some day! Perhaps
You'll die, too. an be laid in the paash-
full grave. Where's pump? Oh, take me
to the pump, Ishn't far-nOt so far as the
grave"
With a lurch forward be seized the arm
ola Young man standing near him, who,
with a look of disgust, tried to shake him
of. though perhaps at another time ne too
might have Joined in the chorus OF rough
Laughter and jeers. He had, however, been
at that funeral, and it had awakened old
feelings and influences. Mr.. James
SnaresbrOok was not TO be shaken so essl-
ly.
Don't deshert a fellow being, young
man. Pump isn't difficult find. Let me
shleep, in peash under itsh shade. Fine
thing-pump"
Thinks he's under four poster when
he's there, " said of the men; he's sell
dom long away from it, Quaker Joe ought
to charge for lodging"
"He wouldn't do anything so ungentle-
manly Never tOush water-pumsp free
to all. Expecting my daughter-she'll
knowsh where to fin me. come long"
The young man yielded, seeing that it
was the only way to get rid Of the swaylng
bemuddled specimen Of humanity clinGing
TO his arm. He took him to the back OF
the "Red Unicorn" where a clearing had
been made and planted with vegetables.
Here stood the pump, by low stone
trough and the young man, reaching 1t,
shook him off. Mr. James Snaresbrook
dropped heavily on the edge of the trough,
by lucky lucrch recovered his balance be
fore ne tumbled into it.
"Queerish-veryr he said, looking NJ
in a wondering solemn way at the pump
handle over his head. Pumpsh Away;
found when two lOoksh for it-alway:
runsh away from one! Young mansh,
there's q moral n that II l could find
-prspsh he kuOwsh who's sleeping IL
peashful way over there"
He tried to point sOlemnly over his
shoulder in the direction of the grave or
the outskirt of the forest, but the effort
cost him his balance, and he tumble back
ward with a splash into the water, Of
which the stone trough was full.
Mr. John Smith dragged him out, and
shaking him violently to get rid of little
of the supelf1uous moisture, dropped him
on to less damp resting place. Then he
fished out the floating hat, and gave it 8
shake, too, hung il on to the pnmp handle
TO dry; and then, feeling that he had done
all that could be reasonably expected by
one fellow creature from another In the
circumstances, returned 10 the front Of
the shanty, where he found new excite
meut agitatiDg the crowd. The murdered
man was forgotten, for the coach was com
ing in.
The long low building, dignifed by the
name of grog shop, hotel or bottle works,
according to the humor or preteDsions Of
the speakers, stood on the high road; the
stores. gambling saloons and other shsntiss
strageled behind it in one irregular street,
which had few lesser one branching OIL
from it. The RED Unicorn" owned by
Quaker Joe, formed the advance guard Of
the town. The coach always pulled up
before its hospitable doors, and the open
P space in front of them, ambitiously called
THE Square was generally full OF miners
and tOwnspeOple who assembled to get a
: ,ooS ,-;avv Of tha errivinO coach which