Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-05-15

NM
D
Waite listened 10Th Interest.
conclusion the moment they arrived on
the ground. These last belonged to
that class Of ready liars who abound in
every community, that large family OF
II told you sos"
While the interested crowd was still
talking a stranger appeared among
them. 1t was Mr.. Waite. No one there
knew him. for none Of them had ever
seen him, and the moment he appear
ed all conversation ceased, and every
body stood with his eyes fixed inquir-
ingly on him. Looking coolly around,
he asked:
whats the occasion Of all this ex-
citement?"
There was momentary silence, dur
ing which every one turned his eyes on
Jim Thorn. That worthy. understand
ing what was expected Of him, stepped
forward and said in turn:
"Why. stranger, amt you hearnY
"Heard what?" Waite asked.
"Why, Lord, bout the murder"
The stranger shook his head and look
ed surprised.
"Murder!' he exclaimed. "Why, have
you been having a murder herep'
"My land, I'd sesso! I'd lowed ev-
erbody knowed bout 1t before this.
An you amt hearn word of it?"
Glow should I when just arrived In
the neighborhoodY
"Oh, you jest now come, did you?"
"Just this moment. passed through
here a few days ago and engaged
board with Mr.. Jenkins. Then went
on down the country and am just now
getting back. But about this murder.
Who was 1t that was killedY
ut was q Teller named Melvin"
Thorn answered.
zone Of your citizens, presume7"
mo. he was q stranger. He'd only
been here o few weeks. Stopped over
to Jonathan Turner's an claimed he
was a-prospectin for mineral"
"Oh, that's the man, ehY'
Eyes. Did you know himY'
mo, didn't know Mr.. Melvin, but
that day passed through here stop
ped at Mr.. Turner's, and I remember
hearing him speak of him. So that's
the man that was killedY
That's the man,
"Well, well! Do you know anything
Of the particulars of the murder?o
Then Thorn embraced the opportuni-
ty for which he had been waiting and
proceeded to repeat the story he had
been telling all day. He even went
through the pantomime Of his discov-
cry Of the body, not forgetting to show
how calmly he had viewed it and how
fearlessly he had passed by it on his
way to the store. To all this Waite lis
tened with seemingly the greatest Of
interest, and Jason Roberts was en-
couraged by that to demonstrate for
his benefit just how the murderer must
have fred the fatal shot from the shell
ter of the big tree.
II any one had been observing the
strangers face closely, he must have
noticed that 1t became quite pale as ia
son proceeded with his explanation,
but Jason was claiming everybody's
attention at that moment, SO no one
saw.
"What do you thinky Jason asked
when he had finished. Don't you
blieve I'm right, strangerY'
Waite gave little start.
"Eh?" he exclaimed. "Oh, yes, very
likely you are right; yes-s. very likely"
Bound to be-" Jason said. "Ain't no
other way it could a. been done"
II guess that's so." Waite admitted.
"But what was the object Of the muir
der, do you think?"
Pap Sampson, who had followed the
crowd about all day in silence, listen
ing to all that was said, leaned for
ward and waited expectantly for the
answer to this question.
II don't know" Jason said. 81 amt
no notion"
do you suppose 1t was robbery"
mo. His money an his watch an ev-
erthing was found In his pockets I'M
touched"
"Humphl he couldn't have had an
enemy in this section. He was stran-
ger here, ! believe you said?'
Eyes,"
at seems to be rather strange case.
You have no idea who the murderer
could be?'
Sam Morgan looked down at the
ground and trembled, while Pap Samp-
son leaned forward again and waited
breathlessly for the reply.
II amt no idea in the world" Jason
said; mot ghost Of an idea"
There was short pause. Then Jim
Thorn spoke, saying significantly:
II wonder whar Sim Banks is."
Sam Morgan started and turned pale.
Pap Sampson walked away, leaning
heavily on his cane, murmuring:
"Its come at last! Oh, my Lord, it's
come! Twas afeared Of 1t all the time.
Pore Sim! Pore Simr'