The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-06-03
THE MARK OF CAIN.


THE MARK OF CAIN.
We were seated in the lobby Of little
southern hotel some two years ago discuss
iDg, - travellers are prone 70 do, . very
wide range Of topics. The conversation
gradually drifted into the question Of hyp-
n0tism or the various influences Of one
mind over another.
Each one present In the circle had casu-
ally expressed his opinion upon this sub
jeot except handsome travelling salesman,
probably 86 years old, who was familiarly
known az "Whitey Ssunders." This name
WAS given him owing to the fact that his
splendid head Of hair was prematurely and
absolutely white.
During slight lull In the talk Saun.
ders, who had evidently been drinking,
yet was still cognizant Of all that was being
said, Strengthened himself up In bis chair
and without any ceremony launched into
the following strange story, which I shall
endsavor to repeat az nearly az possible,
word for word:
! have heard several Of you men say,
he commenced, that you did not believe In
bypnotism, mesmerism, telepathy or any
thing Of the kind. Well, you are not oom-
PEELED to do 20, but let me tell you story
and show you that you know nothing
about what you arc discussing.
There lived in q small town In New
York state some years ago two brothers
with I've years difference In their ages.
They were sworn enemies, owing TO some
difficulty In the adjustments Of property
which had been left thom.
The older Of the two men was widow
er, and the loss of his young wife. togeth-
er with his unnatural hatred for his broth
er, had soured him on life and almost
made recluse of him. He had, however,
one companion, an Italian by birth, who
had formerly loved tho girl which his
friend had married. These two were con-
stantly together.
The younger brother was accounted a
good fellow generally-that is, he spent
and wasted his money, and had scores Of
pleasant weather friends.
In the same village lived an old physi-
clan, DR.. Gray by name, who, in addition
to having been the family physician Of
both the brothers, was a man Of noble
parts, learned far beyond his time, and
skilled In sciences and arts which are yet
in their infancy. He was q profound stu
dent Of the doctrines as laid down by Mes
mer and others, but held any such abili-
ties in this direction that he had acquired
as sacred as the professional confidence Of
his patients.
DR.. Gray had long tried to patch up the
differences between the two young men,
whom he regarded almost as sons. His
efforts met with little encouragement from
the elder although the younger brother
expressed himself as perfectly willing to
meet the other half way.
Thus matters stood when the village in
which they lived was shaken to it's foun-
dations one morning when the people
awoke to learn that the older brother had
during tho night been foully murdered in
his bed. The alarm was first given by tho
murdered mans valet and the police were
notified by his Italian friend Glava.
Suspicion pointed but one way-the
man was murdered by his brother, tho mo-
tive being revenge.
The younger brother was arrested
When found, he was In q daEed condition
and exhibited every evidence of guilt.
He was imprisoned and eventually
brought to trial. The evidence was con-
elusive; not a link was missing. He was
convicted, and after being sentenced to
hang was taken back to prison.
During the progress Of the trial the
prisoner could not be induced to speak a
single word. Absolute silence was the
only response received to all Of DR.. Gray g
kind offers of assistance
After the young mans sentence had
been pronounced, his brothers. former
friend, Glava, announced his departure for
London for IN indefinite stay.
Now, strange thing happened just
previous to Glava's departure. He called
ut the prison where the young murderer
was confined and was permitted to enter
his cell. He remained but few minutes.
Then left tho jail and was no more seen
In the town.
0lAva had no sooner gone than the
prisoner commenced great screaming
and shouting to tho guard. "Stop that
man, stop that man - he yelled.
They were the first words that crossed
his lips in days, but his commands were
not needed.
Gradually his yells subsidized.
Whom next the guard appeared at tho
prisoners cell, he was met with the re-
4uSos oAsDo bEs okoy b0 bobo Aohs
This request was granted, and not
long after tho physician responded.
DIR. Gray found the prisoner In an en-
tirely changed condition. His seal Of ST.
lence was broken. He seemed perfectly
rational, but could not understand his i'm
prisonment
He could get no answers to his ques-
lions from tho guards, and In his extrem-
ty, ho explained. had sent for his old
friend, who, he felt sure, could help him.
Upon closo observation DIR. Gray no.
ticed that the young mans 8 face was death
ly pale, and there was an anxious haunted
air about him which bodcd III for the CON-
dition of his mind.
Tho prisoner told DIR. Gray that he had
had o frightful dream, and that he had
been awakened within few hours from a
deep sleep TO find himself In prison cell
and gazing into the horrible depths Of
Glava's coal blNck eyes
The shock was awful.
Il dreamt," no continued, "that last
eight, whom I had gone to my homo and
retired to my b,d, Glava appeared ut my
bedside.
He babe me rise and dress, st tho
tiv,o a l<<.l