New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1903-10-24

- deep mystery This. we will attempt
to clcnr up with au inquest. The
! crowd by this timo had become OK
cited, aud 30 crobleus, nnd other cx-
clnmations too energetic and too ox-
prossivo to be repeated were freely in
dulgod IN nnd threats of hanging wore
distinctly heard
But tho Coroner spoke with 10 much
wisdom to the crowd thnt the excite.
mont subsidod and order was once
more restored. Citizens said hn lot
the law take its course. | shall hold
an inquest Immediately. We shall
ferret out the culprita aud whoever he
bo lot the hanging be legal ,one If
hanging be necessary. At this june.
ture the Sheriff followed by posse of
deputies armed with shot guns, gal
loped towards tho assembled citizens,
and IN laundering tones yelled out
No violence, citizcns. No violence.
] shall not tolerate it ut the peril of
my life. This theatrical ontreo Of
the Sheriff was ludcrous in the cx-
trome.
Who speaks of violence snid ono
Of the bystanders2 Why have you
congrcgatod. all Mt once. on this open
space? Said the Sheriff | suppose
that this is our right, retorted n oiti-
zen. We have conRregated here to
listen to TINT man, pointing to the
stranger, who brings the news that
some one hns been murdered
Murdered said the Sheriff and nd.
dressing the stranger who has been
murdered? Don't know answered tho
stranger. Who has done the kilingp
Don't know answered the stranger,
again. II you don't know anything
said tho Sheriff excitedly. what thcn
do you know
Here the Coroner interposed:
Sheriff, it's my business to find
that out, not yours -
The devil you say, replied the Sher.
iff. There IL "no devil you say
about that, said tho Coroner with dig
nifty. When shall have reported the
result of my inquest to the authorities,
then you may do what you please;
shall have nothing more to say
Parblcu, said tho little Frcnchman.
monsieur 10 Coroner, he talks With 10
wisdom Of defunct Solomon. But right
then boys. added uncle Ben, some.
thing remarkable occurred. A notable
change took place In tho department
OF the coroner towards tho sheriff.
suppose 10 was due to that admirable
tact with which nature has endowed all
politicians. The sherifr's influence
In the coming political campaign was
to bc taken to account. This is how
! accounted for the change. The
coroner, fearing the after effect Of
his dignified answer, sugared it with
the milk and honey Of kindness, by
adding with tho most exquisite court
esy: But sheriff, / shall, neyertbe.
less. be moro than happy to have you
assist mo IN the holding OF the inquest.
Your services will be invaluable TO
me and to the good people OF the par
isl' alike. " The concilitatory tone
OF the coroner had the desired effect;
IL smoothcd the rufllcd rritability Of
the sheriff who Immediately rendered
his services to him.
Shortly afterwards, the coroner left
In bis sulky, escorted by the sheriff
with his armed deputies and followed
by number OF citizens on horseback
and In carryalls. Only such as had
no means Of conveyance remained in
town awaiting with fut.ering impati.
ence the return of the coroner for the
clearing mp OF the mystery that
wrapped the nine foot coffin that has
been found floating down on tho placid
waters of the Tecle.
We came in sight Of the coffin In
one OF the numerous coves formed by
the serpentine windings of the Teche.
You know boys that the word Teche
is CORRUPTION Of the Indian word
Tenche which means n snake.
Yes, uncle Ben that is pretty qcncr.
ally known.
Uncle Ben who was about 10 launch
out in one Of his digreasions, did not
relish thYfnterrup.ion, but nevertbo.
less, resumed his narrative good m.
turedly
The coffin was n roughly made con.
Germ seemingly ten feet long, and
from which eiDanated such a stencil.
Continued On mara fa,,r