The Press., 1899-08-31

younger days he had been something o
q ventriloquist, but this fact was un
known to many of his late acquaint
ances.
"Oh. good evening, Mr.. Cobbi'' Mrs
Parker said as she perceived her visitor
walk right in. James will be here
directly He has gone to get cleaned ul
bit. 80
| FCobb entered the kitchen and took 9
seat. Mrs. Parker continued her work
| "You are as Industrious as ever" he
remarked. glancing at the pail she wal
rubbing. 81 don't believe satan evel
finds any mischief for your hands te
do. -
''Well. always find plenty to keer
me busy. she replied. smiling at the
implied compliment.
The blacksmith 8 wife was invari-
ably pleased at tribute to her indus.
| try. 81 believe it" answered Cobb,
''as never yet have seen you idle. Oh,
hello, Parker"-as the blacksmith ap-
peared. 'How are your suppose you
have heard of the murder2"
"I-no." replied Parker confusedly.
'sWhat murder 2" And as he spoke he
turned toward the mantelshef and be-
gan filling pipe with tobacco.
81 supposed every one in town had
heard of it by this time:" said Cobb
'snews travels SO fast -
II have no time for gossip" said
Parker. with 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 murderT
queried the blacksmith, sitting down
near his visitor, but not looking at him
''It 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 manl' walled Mrs. Par
ker, rolling her eyes beavenward.
'fWhy did any one do such o cruel
thing3'
Robbery could not have been the
motive, as Jenkins always boasted that
he never carried money on his person.
But some one might have had grudge
against him.
Eyes, - assented the blacksmith, ap.
plying match to his pipe and taking
B few preliminary puffs. "Will you
smoke, Cobba There is an extra pipe
here"
''No, thanks. never indulge" an
swered Cobb, surprised at the black
smiths unusual hospitality. ''Oh, by
the way. Parker. came to summon
you. - i
The pipe fell from the blacksmith q
mouth and the tobacco was scattered
Tar and near, while .perceptible: tre-
nlor ran through his massive frame
"What do you nAean7" he asked
hoarsely, and his face grew ashy white.
Cobb stared in amazement at the ef-
feet his words produced.
81 mean you must appear at the in
quest, which takes place tomorrow at
o'clock sharp
"Oh, yes. of course" said Parker,
with an unnatural laugh, as he reached
for his pipe. ''But, you know, Cobb, I
never could look at corpse.
Nonsense, laughed Cobb. derisive-
ly. 1.-The idea of big fellow like you
afraid of dead man.
II am not afraid" protested the
other, ''but cannot do what you ask. :"
"But you must. There is nothing
more to be said about it," answered
Cobb decidedly.
"A fool made such a custom as
that, muttered the blacksmith, rising
to refill his pipe
''Of course, assented Cobb pleasant
ly. 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 clinched his fist as though he would
deal his visitor blow The instant
Cobb's eyes fell upon the hand he cried
out:
"Why. how did you hurt your handP'
Parker, with half muttered curse.
quickly drew the member out of sight,
but the next instant thrust it forward
again.
A dark purple bruise extended across
the knuckles.
81 struck it. " he explained sullenly
''It amounts to nothing
''It must have been quite a hard
crack, said Cobb lightly. "Wen.
must be going. Goodby, Mrs. Parker;
gcodby. Parker. Don't forget tomorrow
morning at 9 o'clock" and with this
parting injunction he left the house
His face wore thoughtful express
sion as he wended his way along. There
was that in the blacksmith manner
which set him to thinking, and there
dawned on his mind a suspicion that
Parker knew more about the murder
than he cared to tell, and he Cobb
cudgeled his brains for a plan to force
a 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 Jovei I'll do it'll The
experiment is worth tryingi'
The next morning the coroner and his
jury assembled in the barn where lay all
that remained of Samuel Jenkins It
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 look
ing at him. SO he kept near the door,
which was out of the range of those
wild, staring eyes. He trembled like a
person with the ague. But only one
man present observed his uneasiness,
and that was Mr.. Cobb. He watched ev-
cry movement. AS the men drew near
to examine the body they all fell back
in CONSERVATION as voice proceeded
from the dead man saying: "Yonder
stands my murderer Seize him.
Horror was depicted upon every coun-
tenance as each individual stared at his
neighbor.
But the blacksmith with wild shrek
OF terror fell back against the wall In
stantly all eyes were riveted upon him.
Then, as though something impelled
him forward. he staggered to the feet Of