The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-02-04
The Esthetic Cut-Throat.
BY J. A. TIFFANY.

benevolent old gentleman in the seat
in front OF mine leaned forward, to
gel a better view from the window,
and. smiling at his companion, said;
There's the bridge from which,
nGty years ago, sliding down rope
fastened to the balustrade dropped
on to the deck Of a passing canal boat
slew the bargee and his wife, took
what money they had-a paltry eight
cen dollars-then steered to the tow
path, jumped ashore, and got away be
fore the man driving the horses knew
anything was wrong. All! ah!" and he
chuckled and rubbed his hands as if
the recollection of his horrible crime
afforded him much satisfaction.
All the way from Syracuse, when
they boarded the train, I had sat
watching the old lady and gentleman,
with an interest and admiration that
received a rude shock from this extra
ordinary speech Of his.
He was a picturesque old fellow,
with bis pointed beard, long, wavy
white hair and light blue eyes. in
which caught merry twinkle,
whenever he happened to turn his
head. His skin had the rose pink of
a healthy baby and his voice, low and
musical, had a sympathetic vibrant
resonance, that was pleasing to the
car. The old lady was well-preserved
as her comDanion-a stately dame,
with dignified mein yet kind. moth
erly expression about the mouth and
eyes
The mans bearing toward her saw
orad Of the old-fashioned courtesy Of
more respectful age than ours; and.
though they were evidently man and
wife, who had spent probably half a
century in each others society. the
lady manifested her exquisite breeding
in a hundred charming ways as she
discoursed in low tones with the man
at her side, treating with the gracious
ness due to an honored friend rather
than assuming privileges of familiar
ity or proprietorship
Lolling back in my seat, had
sketched a fanciful picture of their
career-a life in which a modest in
dependence had enabled both of them
to develop all that was best in their
character in ministering, in a quiet
and transformations way to the needs Of
less fortunate fellow creatures.
had coniured up their home life.
with numerous children and grand
children, with kindly neighbors and
refined. congenial friends; and | saw
these two, each Sunday going arm in
arm to church. or sauntering leisurely
down some shady lane that courtship
1t was at this stage of my reverie that
had been startled by the old gentle
mans calm, dispassionate declaration
of the brutal murder that he had com
mitted century ago.
''Don't-don't talk so loud, stephen, -
his wife admonished him. shaking her
head and frowning slightly. you don't
know who might hear you"
"Oh, well; it doesn't matter, Carrie,
ne answered. THAT was a long time
aga; and I've reformed"
Reformed! Was there ever, Won
dered, such a cynical, complaisant old
cut throat as this? In one sentence
he told Of killing a man and woman
for the sake of few dollars, and in
the next declared that he had ere
formed"-much in the tone of col
Iege boy who informs his friends that
he has quit smoking cigarettes,
'Besides he continued, with q
smlle, "you know that was one of my
chief reasons for coming East wa.
to revisit the scenes of my early
days. and point out to you the different
spots where | committed arson ant
robbery and murder"
ives, yes, { know stephen" the oil,
lady answered, with an indulgen
smile, ITO see you now one woul
payer believe what terrible charac
ter you were, as a young man
mo" he said 81 have to thank you
Carrie. for showing me better, easie
way of making living. | shout
naver have got rich in that business
but there was a certain fascination .
Il. For seven years I reyeled in Grim
lust wallowed in gore-and some
times look back with wistfu regre