Connecticut western news., 1899-03-16

"I have no time for gossip" said Parker, with frown.
 Certainly not. But one cannot al- ways avoid hearing of certain happen ings. We'll, 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 murderf' queried the blacksmith, sitting down near his visitor, but not looking at him
 .'It ssems like 1t, 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 suff cient to cause death. ''
 "Poor, poor mani walled Mrs Par ker, rolling her eyes heavenward "Why did any one do such a cruel thingf'
 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. :"
 "Yes," assented the blacksmith, ap- plying a match to his pipe and taking few preliminary puffs. twill you smoke, Cobba There is an extra pip here.''
 ''No, thanks I never indulge" an- swered Cobb, surprised at the black Emith's unusual hospitality. "Oh, by the way, Parker, came to summon you"
 The pipe fell from the blacksmith's 8 mouth and the tobacco was scattered far and near, while perceptible tre- nor ran through his massive frame.
 "What do you meanf" he asked hoarsely. and his face grew ashy white.
 Cobb stared in amazement at the ef- feet his words produced.
 'I mean you must appear at the in- quest, which takes place tomorrow at g o'clock sharp"
 'tOh, yes, of course" said Parker, with an unnatural laugh, as he reached for his pipe. But. you know. Cobb. I never could look at a corpse.
 Nonsense, laughed Cobb. derisive- ly. "The idea of a big fellow like you afraid of dead man.
 "I 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 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 thrust at him self. and his face grew dark with rage. He clinched 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 handf'
 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.
 ''I struck it, ? he explained sullenly "It amounts to nothing"
 ''It must have been quite hard crack" said Cobb lightly. "Well. must be going Goodby. Mra Parker gcodby. Parker. Dom t forget tomorrow morning at g o'clock, and with this parting injunction he left the house
 His face wore a thoughtful expres- 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
 "I'l do it, by Jovel I'll do iti The experiment is worth tryingr'
 The next morning the coroner and his jury assembled in the barn where lay all that remained of Samuel Jenkins It was ehastly 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 tbat was MT. Cobb. He watched ev- cry movement. As the men drew near to examine the body they all fell back in consternation as voice proceeded from the dead man saying: "YondeI stands my murdereri Seize himi''
 Horror was depicted upon every coun- tenance as each individual stared at his neighbor.
 But the blacksmith with wild shrieb 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 oi | the corpse.
 ''Yes, killed youp" he screamed, his ] eyes fastened on the dead man. "But you struck the first blow. You didr' as though his victim had denied the charge "You would not pay me, so followed you here We had words. and | you aimed heavy blow at my head with your whip handle. But I warded it off and received it on my hand in stead. You were no match for me, . with horrible laugh. "I had no weap on, but my fists served me well. and gave you many blows even after yor l were down. Oh, take your eyes from 1 ny facel" he cried. with renewed frenzy. "Take them away. I sayi Yor