The Press., 1890-04-24
A MERRY MISTAKE.

when was l6, and being off in lonely looking place, with good looking young farmer for neighbor, it was very natural that should fall in love with him.
 So Tom Burton and I were engaged, and began to make my dresses and get everything ready for the most important event in my life.
 was coming home through the woods one rather dark night when lost my way. Suddenly I stumbled over something, and putting out my hands touched what seem- ed to be a dead body. I gave shriek without thinking of the danger. What if some of the assassins should be lingering near?
 l put my hands to my mouth and crept away softly, but had not got far when I saw the light~.of lantern approaching, and heard mems voices. My horror was very great, and my first thought was to get out of the way as soon as possible. To run seemed impossible, but l had climbed trees before, and the one nearest me was not tall one, and the branches were close to my head. Up I went, and happily turned my skirts about my feet before the light of the lantern fell on the grass beneath it, and saw two men bend- ing over the horrible white thing that had so terrified me.
 "Now, I wonder," said one of them, whether it will be safe to leave him here all night?"
 I almost tumbled out of the tree as I heard the voice, for if it was not Tom Bur- tons my ears deceived me; and the next moment somebody answered:
 "Oh, no, MT. Burton. There'd be sure to be some one along. If you want him safe, you'd better not leave him here."
 It was the hired man, John, who spoke.
 "Can we manage him alone P said Tom.
 "Yes, though he's pretty heavy" an swered John. 'eYou take his legs and I'll barn and cut him up. That's safer"
 l thought I should die as I listened. I wondered if I were awake My Tom a murderer, and talking of it so coolly to his hired man Oh, it was an awful night mare! But, alas, I did not wake up and felt that l was watching a real scene of horror
 Was it not tragic-I who loved that man so to be witness to the fact that he was bloodthirsty monster? If he were tried for murder should be called upon to be witness against him. I-Oh, we'll, II hated him now, but it was horrible !-horrible I uttered loud shriek of agony, and this time would really have fallen out of the tree but that my dress was tangled in the branches and upheld me. Yes, shriek- ed, and those men heard me, and laid down their burden and came back.
 ."Some one is up this tree" said John.
 "Yes, its woman," said Tom Burton. "Who are you?"
 did not answer.
 "I say, who are you?" said Burton, hauling me down.
 had no power to resist. only shriek- ed. They put me very gently on the grass, and John held the lantern to my face.
 "Why, its Kitty ]" shouted Tom Bur- ton. Why, you poor little soul how did you come here ?' screamed again.
 "If any man has frightened you. I'll be the death of him." said Tom. Speak out. What is the matter ?" shrieked again.
 s'She's out of her mind, Miss Kitty is, MT. Burton, said John.
 "If you don't speak, shall have fit of some sort, I think, said Tom. "I say, Kitty, Kitty Oh, good Lord, what has happened to her?" He tried to kiss me. Then I found voice. "Don't touch me, screamed. "Oh, to think that should have been brought here by providence to witness such a scene"
 "What scene?" asked Tom.
 'I guess she means the killing" said John. "I reckon she never seen one be- fore."
 "Seen one before' gasped.
 "No, that's it, you see," said John. "It looks cruel before you're used to it. But when you've done it as often as I have you take 1t easy, you see. Don't we, MT. Burton?" "Yes," said Tom. "You killed others?" gasped. Certainly" said Tom. "Its part of a farmers duty. I suppose you know that chickens and pigs and beef cattle have to be killed. You needn't treat me as if was monster. Its queer thing to do. |"
 "Its the experience, sir," said John. "I've knowed ladies the same when they first saw hog killin'.'
 "A hog" said I. ssOh, Tom dear Tom was it only hog ?" "Why, what did you think it was, Kit "" asked Tom. did not tell him then, and was so ill next day that they thought would die, and suppose he always believed that the fever and delirium had begun when he found me up in a tree in the orchard. And some things you had certainly best l keep 10 yourself. This was one. We have been married two good years now, but have never told Tom all I thought and felt in the old orchard of ours, though I never shall forget it. |