Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1899-07-15
FROsTBURG, Md SATURDAY, JULY Is, 1899

on MS mead, any one or WhlCh was suff1-
cient to cause death"
Poor, poor mani" walled Mrs Par
ker, rolling her eyes hcavenward
"Why did any enc do such cruel
thingY'
Robbery could not have been the
motive, rs Jenkins always boasted that
he never carried money on his person.
But SOM one migh5 have had a grudge
against him.
"Yes, assented the blacksmith, ap-
plying Il match to his pipe and taking
a few preliminary puffs. "Will you
smoke, Cobb? There is an extra pipe
here
mo, thanks. / never indulge" an
swcred 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 perceptible tre-
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.
Il 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,
never could look at corpse.
"Nonsense, laughed Cobb, derisive-
ly. "The idea of big fellow like You
afraid of dead man.
81 am not afraid. protested the
other, "hut l cannot do what you ask "
"But you must. There is nothing
more to he said about it," answered
Cobb decidedly.
"a fool made such a custom as
that, muttered the blacksmith, rising
to refill his pipe.
"Of course, asscnted Cobb pleasant
ly. every one is 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 hnrt your hand? ?"
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 knucklcs.
81 struck it. he explained sullenly
at amounts to nothing"
"1t must have been quite hard
crack, " said Cobb lightly. "Well, l
must be going. Goodby, Mrs. Parker;
gCodby, Parker. Don't forget tomorrow
morning at 8 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's 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 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:
"Ill do it, by Jovel I'll do it, The
experiment is worth trying!'
The next morning the coroner and his
jury assembled in the barn where lay all
that remained of Samuel Jenkins. 1t
was CHASTITY looking corpse, with eyes
wide open and numerous cuts and
bruises about the head and face. Yhe
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 himl"
Horror was depicted upon every cOun
tenance as eachjindividual 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
the corpse.
"Yes, killed your he screamed, his
eyes fastened on the dead man. "But
you struck the first blow. You did," as
though his victim had denied the
charge. You would not pay me- so
followed you here. We had words and
you aimed Il heavy blow at my head
with your whip handle. But / warded
it off and received it on my hand in
stead. You were no match for me"
with a horrible laugh. 81 had no weap-
on, but my fists served me well, and
gave you many blows even after you
We're down. Oh, take your eyes from
my face!" he cried, with renewed
frenzy. Take them away, l say You
will not? Then there is but one way to
get rid of them," and before the awe
struck assembly could interfere he
quickly drew knife from his coat and
stabbed himself to the heart. Then,
with low, gasping moan, James Par
ker, the blacksmith, sank dead upon the
floor. Chicago News.