The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1896-01-16
A DIVIDED HOUSE
A Story of the Civil
War in Missouri.
NoiD First Published.

seemed naturally 10 go into sone-
thing horrid and %sickening, 1t was
not such q shock to the inmates Of
the Dabney home to hear Of the
tragic death on their own premises,
that it would have been in time Of
peace. They were in a state of ex-
pectancy for the dreadful of every
character.
So while Ellie knocked violently
on the door where the Dabney boys
were asleep, calling for John to get
up quick, he called to ask what was
the matter, saying
"what's up, Elf, are the negroes
all gomez" That was his FIRST
thought, they had absconded with
all their horses.
"No, no, worse than tbst,'' che
said, "there is a dead man in u
Observation-Disclosures lying there In
the rain"
"very likely he is drunk" said
John.
"Some fellow thrown from his
horse" said Charlie.
ga man came here" called Ellie,
who was still at the door, Sand said
that you all must attend to him, that
he was on your land"
HE had better attend to his own
business" said Charlie.
sob! Charlie, we don't know who
1t is, it may be some of the neigh
bors, it is dreadful"
swell, Tll go down and see if it's
So" said John.
Ellie then ran to Mrs. Dabney's
room to awake her, but she was
already up and in the kitchen, and
had heard the news from Aunt Ria.
"Lor, Miss Elfe," said Aunt Ria,
as Ellie came in white and trembling,
"taint no use to take n dead man
to heart, fur fore this war is over
dar'll be lots more on en-"
John had come down and was on
his way to the pasture, but before he
had gotten half way to the ravine
where the mar was lying, he met a
neighbor who was in much excite
ment.
"This is a terrible business, John,
I never was 30 shocked" said Mr.
, Norton, for it was Mary Norton'i
father he had met.
u. "Whu is it?" asked John, "did yot
; know him."
g Hadn't you heard9 Why, it 1
poor Jack Hazel"
Murdered" asked John, his fac
as pale as ashes.
eyes," sad Mr.. Norton, ''there |
no doubt he was murdered, for b
was shot from behind.n
"His poor mother, has she hear,
the news2" asked John.
: "No, 1 guess not, and some on
9 ought to go and tell them. Can
= you go, john? You are their docto
and know them better than any on
d else."
g 1t was a task John did not like
ID but some one had it to do.
81 will go down with you, and Sc
him first" said John, "are you sur
q there is no life in him?"
:, every sure" said Mr.. Morton
- ''no doubt he has been dead fo
10 hours"
s. They walked rapidly to where til
l. unfortunate man lay.
IS "He was a good boy" said job
taking his stiffened wrist and feelin
for the pulse. Then he felt over I'll
le heart but there was no life Their
The poor fellow was in iced dead.
"What wretch could have dor
l. it? 1 didn't know thai this boy hs
an enemy in the world"
g. Mr.. Norton went for the corone
is and John bent his steps to the Haz
cottage. He was met at the door |
he the old mother who was yet feeb
an from her recent illness.
I'D sob! Doctor, we have been
d. uneasy all night, for Jack did n
or come home, and it Is 30 strange +
him to stay out, that we are certa
= something is the matter"
"Where is your daughter, MI
Hazel2" John asked. He felt th
} he could not tell the feeble @
J woman there, alone in her anguish
"She went over to some OF t
near neighbors, thinking to he
where he was-Doctor, I know fro
your looks" she said wildly, "tt
} you have heard something. What
it9 tell me, for I know it is what y
7 have come to tell"
eyes, Mrs. Hazel" Daid John, 1
he now saw Bertha Hazel coming
at the yard gate. "There is b
news, and dreadful as it is, You "
have to know 1t. Your boy has be
I found and they will soon bring h
to the house. He was dreadful
and cruelty hurt"
che is dead! / know he Is dead
his mother screamed out in her q
ony. ooh! Bertha, your &c
brother, our poor little Jack
dead"
"Who did it, DIR. Dabney? wi
wretch has done itp He never
anybody any harm in his life"
"He has either been murdered
some wretch or o random shot &C
I1aptoIlu Rrad has killad him