The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-03-28
THE BLACKSMITH.

II going 70 II from his shop.
He was a big, burly fellow, with a
scowling countenance and a right arm
strong enough to fell an OK, and as his
disposition was none of the best people
were careful not to provoke him to
anger.
His wife was his opposite in every
particular, she being a tiny, timid
creature of a mild nature and, like
Alice of "Ben Bolt" fame, "'trembled
with fear at his frown."
Why she ever chose Parker as a hus-
band or why he selected her for his wife
was a matter of comment, as there
seemed to be no love between them.
Yet Mrs. Parker was a faithful spouse
and strove to administer to her hus-
bands comfort, though she never re-
ceived anything but harsh words and
surly looks for her pains.
CHANGING at a clock in a shop win
dow, she perceived it was past the din
ner hour, and her heart sank within
her in anticipation of the scolding she
was sure to receive, as the blacksmith
set punctuality above all things.
On reaching the shop she was relieved
at not seeing her husband within. The
place, however, bore evidence of his re-
cent presence, and everything indicated
that he had taken a hasty departure. A
fire blazed in the forge, and a horse
shoe, which still retained its warmth,
lay upon the anvil. Mrs. Parker glanced
around in hope of finding a suitable
spot on which to place the dinner pail,
but, seeing nothing more convenient
than the anvil, deposited the pail beside
the horseshoe and took her departure.
Upon arriving home she busted her
self with household affairs, as she was
a thrifty housewife, despite any other
shortcomings.
That evening, when Parker returned
from his work, he was in a worse hu-
NOR than usual, and his habitually
scowling c~ountenance was more forbid
ding than ever. He flung his dinner
pail upon the table with a crash which
startled his wife into a cry of terror.
She fully expected the walls of his wrath
to be poured upon her, as railing at his
wife was Parker's chief occupation
when at home. But, strange to say, on
this occasion he never even glanced to-
ward her, but strobe across the room
and, taking a basin Of water, began re-
moving the traces of toll from his hands
and face, after which he made his way
into an adjoining room for the purpose
of substituting fresh garments for his
grimy ones.
Mrs. Parker breathed more freely as
the door closed sharply behind him,
and she picked up the pail and exam
ined it. A sigh escaped her as she dis
covered a deep dent in the side which
had come in contact with the table.
On removing the lid she perceived that
the nice meal she had prepared had
been scarcely tasted. Another sigh
escaped her as she emptied the contents
of the pail into a receptacle neal by.
Presently a ~rat-tat-tat sounded upon
the door and Mr.. Cobb stood without.
Mr.. Cobb was a short, stout individual,
with a bald head and rubicund counte-
nance, a coroner by occupation, yet,
Notwithstanding the gloomy nature of
his business, he was a jolly chap, and
frequently dropped in to enjoy a chat
with the Parkers, with whom he had
struck up a sort of friendship. In his
younger days he had been something Of
a ventriloquist, but this fact was TN
known to many of his late acquaint-
ances.
''Oh, good evening, Mr.. Cobb" Mrs.
Parker said as she perceived her visitor.
walk right in. James will be here
directly. He has gone to get cleaned up
a bit.
Cobb entered the kitchen and took a
seat. Mrs. Parker continued her work.
"You are as industrious as ever, " he
remarked, glancing at the pail she was
rubbing. II don't believe satan ever
finds any mischief for your hands to
do"
"Well, l always find plenty to keep
me busy" she replied. smiling at the
implied compliment.
The blacksmith's wife was invari-
ably pleased at a tribute to her indus
try. 81 believe it," answered Cobb,
'as | never yet have seen you idle. Oh,
H6AO, IdIhtI do buS DldChsuul6u dp-
peared. "How are your 1 suppose you
have heard of the murder"
"I-no," replied Parker confusedly.
"What murders And as he spoke he
turned toward the mantelshelf and be-
gan filling a pipe with tobacco.
81 supposed every one in town had
heard of it by this time;" said Cobb.
''news travels so fast.
81 have no time for gossip" said
Parker, with a frown.
Certainly 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 clasped her hands to-
gether in speechless horror.
"How do you know it was murder p
queried the blacksmith, sitting down
neal his visitor, but not looking at him.
ct seems like 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 sufi-
cient to cause death"
Poor, poor MANI walled Mrs. Par
ker, rolling her eyes beavenward.
"Why did any one do such a cruel
thing9"
Robbery could not have been the
motive, as Jenkins always boosted that
he never carried money on his person.
But some one might have had a grudge
against him"
eyes, " assented the blacksmith, APP
plying a match to his pipe and taking
a few preliminary puffs. "Will you
smoke, Cobb2 There is an extra pipe
here"
mo, thanks. l indulge" an
swered 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 ire
NOR ran through his massive frame.
"What do you mean?" he asked
hoarsely, and his face grew ashy white.
Cobb stared in amazement at the eff
feet his words produced.
81 mean you must appear at the in
quest, which takes place tomorrow at 8
O'Clock sharp"
"Oh, yes, of course" said Parker,
with an unnatural laugh, as he reached
for his pipe. ''But, you know, Cobb,
never could look at a corpse"
Nonsense, laughed Cobb, derisive-
ly. 1.-The idea of a big fellow like you
afraid Of a dead man."
81 am not afraid" protested the
other, 'but l cannot do what you ask. .
"But you must. There is nothing
more to be said about it, answered
Cohb