The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-08-09


beside his bed. l suppose he had had
some fear OF Rufus Bennett coming back
after all. Suddenly 1 thought I'd bet
ter shoot him. 1t would be surer and
quicker; and If you were aroused i
knew that / could ger away and every
body would uppos he had shot him.
self.
II took up the pistol and held it close
to his head. / had never fired a pistol,
but l knew how 1t was done. / pulled,
but it would not go off. Your father
stirred a littleI was mad with terror
l struck at his head with the pistol. He
opened his eyes and cried out; then L
dropped the pistol and took these
Phoebe Dole pointed to the great. Shin
ing shears hanging at her waist-'for L
am strong in my wrists. l only struck
twice, owe his heart.
Then / went back into the sitting
room. l thought / heard a noise in the
kitchen-I was full of terror then-and
slipped into the ~sitting-room closet. 1
felt as If l were fainting, and clutched
the shelf to keep from falling.
Il felt that l must go up stairs to see
IL you were asleep-to be sure @ had
not walked up when your father cried
out. 1 thought il you a 1 should have
to do the same by you 1 'crept up
stairs to your chamber. You seemed
asleep. but as / watched you stirred q
little. But instead of striking at you L
0aA "a =
ing more from you. / felt myself wet
with blood. l caught hold of something
hanging in your closet, and wiped my
self off with it. I knew by the feeling
it was your green silk. You kept quiet
and | saw you were asleep, so I crept
out of the closet and down the
stairs, got my clothes and
shoes. and. out in the shed took off the
overalls and dressed myself. / rolled
up the overalls and took a board away
f.4x~ H. IL - 49, - -
1 went home. l thought If they were
found 1t would be no clew to me. The
handkerchief which was not much
stained, l put to soak hat night and
washed out * morning before Maria
was up. i washed my hands and arms
carefully that night, and also my shears.
Il expected Rufus Bennett would be
accused of the murder, and maybe hung.
Il was prepared for that, but / cid not
like to think had thrown suspicion upon
you by staining your dress. 1 had moth
ing against you. I made up my mind
I'd get hold of that dress before anybody
suspected you and dye it black L came
In and got 1t, as you know. / was as
tonished not to see any more stains on
it. 1 only found two Of three little
streaks, that scarcely anybody would
have noticed. / didn't know what to
think. 1 suspected, of course, that you
had found the stains and got them of,
thinking they might bring suspicion
upon you.
II did not see how you could possibly
suspect me-, in any case. / was glad
when your young man cleared. 1 had
nothing against him. That is all 1 have
to say"
L think 1 must have tainted away
then. / cannot describe the dreadful
acalmness with which that woman told
.~this-that m with the good face
whom 1 had last heard praying like a
saint in meeting. / believe in demoni-
acal possession after this.
When l came to the neighbors were
around me, putting camphor on my
head, and saying soothing things to me.
and the old friendly faces has returned.
But / wish 1 could forget.
They have taken Phoebe Dole away|I
only know that. / cannot bear to talk
any more about 1t. When / think there
must be a trial, and / must go.
Henry has been over this evening. I
suppose we shall be happy after all,
when I have had a little time to get
over this. He says l have nothing to
worry about. Mr.. Dix has gone home. I
hope Henry n / may be able to repay
his kindness some day. AS for Maria
Woods. she is to spend the rest of her
life with us.
A month later.-1 have just heard that
Phoebe Dole has died in prison. This is
my last entry. May God help all other
innocent women in hard straits as He
has helped me.
THE End)