The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1899-07-12


Parker Will a frown.
"Cer'aiaiv not. But one cannot al
ways avoid hearing of certain happen
ings. Well. old man Jenkins was
found dead in his barn this afternoon"
Mrs Parker ciasped her hands to-
gether in speechless horror.
"How do you know 1t was MURDER
Cueried the blacksmith, sitting down
near his visitor but not looking at him.
"lt seems Ike it." answered Cobb,
crossing one leg over the other, as he
seated himself more comfortably in his
chair. And there are several wounds
on his head, any one Of which was
sufficient 10 cause death"
'poor, poor manv' walled Mrs. Par.
ker. rolling her eyes heavenward.
"Why did any one do such cruel
thingr'
Robbery could not have been the
motive. as Jenkins always boosted that
lie never carried money on his person.
But some one might have had a grudge
against him"
Yes" assented the blacksmith. APP
plying IA match to his pipe and taking
a few preliminary puffs. 'Will you
smoke, Cobb There is an extra pipe
here
''No thanks, l never indulge" ans
wered Cobb. surprised at the black
smiths unusual hospitality. "Oh by
the way, Parker l came to summon
YOU
The pipe fell from the blacksmith's
mouth and the tobacco was scattered
far and near, while a perceptible term.
or ran through his massive frame.
What do you mean| he asked
hoarsely, and his face grew ashy white.
Cobb stared in amazement at the
effect his words produced.
IL mean you must appear at the in
quest which takes place tomorrow at
9 O'clock sharp
lob. yes, Of course" said Parker,
with an unnatural laugh, as he reached
for his pipe. But, you know, Cobb,
| never could lock at corpse"
Nonsense" laughed Cobb. derisive
ly THE idea of big fellow like you
afraid of dead manr'
II am not afraid" protested the
Il y
But you must. There Is nothing
more TO be said about it," answered
Cobb. decidedly.
"a fool made such custom as that"
muttereG the blacksmith, rising to re-
fill his ripe.
"Of course" assented Cobb, pleas
antiv. Every one is a fool who dares
to differ with ourselves" Parker con-
strued the remark as a thrust at him.
self and his face grew dark with rage.
He ciinched his fist as though he would
deal his visitor a blow. The instant
Cobb's eyes fell upon the hand he
cried out:
"Why, how did you hurt your hand?"
Parker, with a half-muttered curse,
quickly drew the member out Of sight, |
but the next instant thrust il forward |
again.
dark purple bruise extended across
the knuckles.
1T struck it." he explained, sullenly. |
at amounts to nothing"
at must have been quite a hard |
crack" said Cobb, lightly. "Well,
must be going. Good-by, Mrs. Parker,
good-by, Parker; don't forget tomorrow
morning at O'clock" and. with this |
parting injunction. he left the house.
His face wore a thoughtful express
sion as he wended his way along.
There was that in the blacksmith's |
manner which set him to thinking and |
there dawned in his mind suspicion /
that Parker knew more about the muir.
der than he cared TO tell; and he Cobb |
oudgeled his brains for plan TO force |
= confession from him. At last he hit |
upon one he deemed expedient. and,
forgetting where he was, he fairly |
shouted out;
I'll do it. by Jove! I'll do it. The
experiment is worth tryingr
The next morning the coroner and |
his jury assembled in the barn where |
lay al that remained Of Samuel Jen-
kins. 1t was CHASTITY looking corpse.
with eyes wide open and numerous
cuts and bruises about the head and |
face. The blacksmith avoided facing |
the dead man, as he fancied the latter |
was looking at him, so he kept near
the door, which was out Of the range |
of these wild, staring eyes. He trem-
hed like person with the ague. But !
only one man present observed his un-
easciness, and that was Mr.. Cobb. He |
watched every movement. AS the men
drew near to examine the body they
all fell back in CONSERVATION as a
voice proceeded from the dead man
saying: "Yonder stands my murderer!
Seize him.
Horror was depicted upon every
countenance as each individual stared |
at his neighbor.
But the blacksmith with wild
shrek of terror fell back against the
wall Instantly all eyes were riveted |
upon him.
Then, as though something impelled |
him forward. he staggered to the feet
Of the corpse.
Yes. killed your he screamed his
eyes fastened on the dead man. "But
you struck the first blow. You didv'