Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-01-16

Certainly not But one cannot al
ways avoid hearing of certain happen
tngs. Well, old man jenkins was
found dead in his barn this afternoon"
Mrs. Parker clasped her hands TO-
gether in speechless horror.
GLOW do you know 1t was murderT
dueried the blacksmith, sitting down
GEAR his visitor but not looking at him.
ut seems Ike 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
sufficient to cause DEATH"
Poor, poor manv walled Mrs. Par.
ker. rolling her eyes heavenward.
"Why did any one do such a cruel
thing?'
Robbery could not have been the
motive, as jenkins always boosted that
he never carried money on his person.
Bat some one might have had grudge
AGAINST him.
Yes" assented the blacksmith, ap-
plying a match to his pipe and taking
a. few preliminary puffs. "Will you
smoke Cobb There is an extra pipe
here
"No thanks, never indulge ans
werad Cobb. surprised at the black.
smiths unusual hospitality. "Oh, by
the way, Parker, | came to summon
YOU"
The pipe fell from the blacksmith's
mouth and the tobacco was scattered
Gar and near, while a perceptible term.
Or ran through his massive frame.
"Wbat do you mean?' he asked,
hoarsely, and his face grew ashy white.
Cobb stared in amazement at the
effect his words produced.
~ mean you must appear at the in
quest which takes place tomorrow at
Q O'Clock sharp
sob, 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, derlsive-
ly. "The idea of a big fellow like you
afraid of dead man"
Il am not afraid' protested the
other, "but cannot do what you ask"
But you must. There Is nothing
more to he said about it." answered
Cobb decidedly.
"a fool made such custom as that"
muttored the blacksmith, rising to re-
I'll his ripe
"Of course" assented Cobb, pleas
antlv. Every one Is fool who dares
to differ with ourselves" Parker con.
strned 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 a blow. The instant
Cobbs eyes fell upon the hand he
cried out:
"Why. how did you hurt your handY
Parker, with a 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.
~ struck It," he explained sullenly.
'lt amounts to nothing"
ut must have been quite hard
crack" said Cobb, lightly. swell,
must be going. Good-by, Mrs. Parker,
good-by, Parker; don't forget tomorrow
moln'ng at 8 O'clock" and, with this
parting injunction, he left the house.
His face wore a 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 In his mind a suspicion
that Parker knew more about the mur-
der than he cared to tell; and he Cobb
cudgelcd his brains for plan to force
confession from him. AT last he hit
upon one he deemed expedent and
forgetting where he was, he fairly
shouted out:
"I'll do it, by Jove! I'll do it. The
experiment is worth trying!
The next morning the coroner ana
his Jury assembled In the barn where
'ay al that remained of Samuel Jen-
kins VI was a 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 locking at him, so he kept near
tfe door, which was out of the range
Of these wild, staring eyes. He trem-
hled like person with the ague. But
nnly one man present observed his un.
easciness, and that was Mr.. Cobb. He
watched every movement. As the men
llew near to examine the body they
all fell back In CONSERVATION as
voice proceeded from the dead mar
saving: "Yonder stands my murderer!
Seize him."
Horror was depicted upon every
countenance as each individual stared
at his neighbor.
Rut the blacksmith with wild
shrek of terror fell back against the
wall Instantly all eyes were rivetea
upon him
Then, as though something impelled