Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1895-07-18


her property had been strictly secured
by her first husbands will, and that,
willing as she might be, she was un.
able to raise money for her new hus-
bands benefit, and was qr.itc powcrless
to pass to him any of her property by
decd of gift. Uereupon the mans ma
ture showed itself. Foolish woman as
Mrs. Sneathy might be, she was low
ing, indeed an infatuated wife, but
Sncathy repaid her devotion by vulgar
dcrision, never hcsitating to state
plainly that he had married her for his
own profit. and that he considered him
self swindled in the result. More, he
even proceeded to blows and other
practical brutality of sort only de-
visable by u mean and ugly nature.
This treatment, at first secret, became
open, and in the midst of it Mr.
Snes thy's penny banks and insurance
Offices came to a gricvous smash all at
once, and everybody wondered why
Mr.. Sncuthy kept out Of gaol
Keep out of gaol he did, how
ever, for he had taken care to
remain on the safe side of the
law, though some of his co-directors
learnt the taste of penal servitude. But
he was bcggared and lived, as it were,
q mere pcnsionCr in his wifc's house.
Here his brutality increased to fright
full extent, till his wife, already broken
in health in consequence, went in con-
slant fear OF her life, and Miss Foster
passed Il life of weeping misery. All
her friend cntreatics however, could
not persuade Mrs. Sncathy to obtain
legal separation from her husband.
She chung to him, with the excuse-for
it was no more-that she hoped to win
him TO kindness by submission, and
with pathetic infatuation that seemed
20 increase as her bodily strength di.
niniShed.
Henry and Robert, as may be sup,
posed, were anything but silent in
these circumstances. Indeed they
broke out violently again and again
and more than once went near per-
mancntly injuring their worthy step
father. Once especially. when Sncathy,
absolutely without provocation, made
a motion to strike his wife in their
presence, there was fearful scene.
The tsvo sprang at him like wild
beasts, knocked him down and dragged
him to the balcony with the intention
of throwing HIM ont of the window. But
Mrs. Sneathy impedcd them, hysterical-
ly implOring them TO desist
IF you lift your hand to my moth
err" roared Henry, gripping Sneathy by
the throat till his fat face turned blue
and banging his head against the wall,
If you lift your hand to my mother
again I'll chop it Off will! I'll chop
it off and drive it down your throat
'Wc'll do worse, SAID Robert, white
and frantic with passion. wen hang
yOu-hang you to the door. You're a
proved liar and thief, and you're worse
than a common murderer Id hang
You to the front door for two ponce"
For few days Sncathy was compare
lively quiet, cowed by their violence.
Then lie took to venting redoublcd
spite on his unfortunate wife. always
in the absence of her sons, well aware
that she would never inform them. On
their part, finding him apparently bet
ter behaved in consequence Of their
attack, they thought to maintain his
wholesome terror, and scarcely passed
him without a menace. taking a fiend-
ish delight in repeating the threats
they had used during the scene. by way
of keeping it present to his mind.
Take care Of your hands, sir" they
would say. Keep them to yourself,
or by George well take EN- off with
bill hook"
But his revenge for all this Sneathy
11nnhCnr.NnI Of nr
Truly a miserable household.
Soon, however, the brothers left
home, and went to London by way of
looking for a profession. Henry began
a belated study of medicine, and Rob
ert made pretense of reading for the
bar. Indeed, their departure was as
much as anything a consequence Of tho
earnest entreaty of their sister, wha
saw that their presence at home was an
transportation to Sncathy and aggra.
waited her mothers secret suffcrinRs.
They went, therefore, but at Ranworth
things became worse. Little was al.
loved to be known outside the house,
but it was broadly said that Mr..
Sneathy's behavior had become out.
rageous beyond description. Servants
LETT faster than new ones could bq
found, and gave their late employer the
character Of raving maniac Once,
indeed he committed himself in the
village. attacking with his walking.
stick an inoffensive trade man who had
accidentally brushed against him, and
Immediately running home. This as,
sault had to be compounded for by paw.
nent of fifty pounds. And then Henry
and Robert Foster received a most
urgent letter from their sister, request,
ing their immediate presence at home.
They went at once, of course, and the
servants account of what occurred was
this: When the brothers arrived Mr..
Sneathy had just left the house. The
brothers were shut up with their
mother and sister for about a quarter
of an hour and then left them and
came out to the stable yard together.
The coachman Che was a new man, who
had only arrived the day before over.
heard little of their talk as they stood
by the door, Mr.. Henry said that "the
thing must be done, and at once. There
are two Of us, so that it ought to be
easy enough" And afterwards Mr..
Robert said you'll know best how
to go about it, MS n doctor" After
which Mr.. Henry came toward the.
coachman and asked in what direction
Mr.. Sneathy had gone. The coachman
replied that it was in the direction of
Ratherby wood, by the winding foot