The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1916-09-28

before. A heavy snow storm covered
every trace of this murder, and neigh
| bors even held that he had gone to
visit in an adjoining State and never
returned.
1t would be natural to suppose
| that the mysterious disappearance Of
two husbands would augment against
| procuring third. But Becky's fasci-
nations were so irresistible that in
her second widowhood she was more
eagerly sought after than ever. Men
| fought each other in the dark woods
| that led to Becky's door. Suitors
| stabbed each other in the piazza. Ri
walls grappled at the throats of rivals,
even in Becky's presence. This tur-
| moil that at first was diversion to
Becky, finally wearied her and she
vowed that she would marry the
strongest one of them just to rid
herself of a pack of fools.
Ajax a day! that the lot of be-
coming Becky's third husband fell
on John Cotton. Cotton was very
handsome man. He planted on an
extensive scale and was one of the
most prosperous men in the neigh
borhood. He had loved Becky from
| the time when as children they had
thrown rocks together into the bot
tomless pool. His only love making
in those early days had discouraged
him, for when he grabbed Becky and
kissed her with all the fervor of an
enamored school boy, she had so
kicked and scratched him that he had
wisely left her alone, contenting
himself with the peace of bachelors
life, and only dreaming of Becky's
eyes in the sweet might have been"
When, however, he pondered upon
Becky's second widowhood,' he con-
cluded that griefs chastisement must
have wrought some change in the
futrious temper of her he still loved.
With mans conceit, he felt that his
own strong, masterful nature would
act as curb upon Becky's imperious
will and reduce her to the. proper
level of tender, clinging womanhood.
John Cotton was very superior in
character to Becky's former hus-
band. He had dash and fearless
ness that made him generally at
tractive. His good looks, his Win
ming smile and engaging mannerehad
a softening influence even upon
Becky's hardened, degenerate nature.
For six months they were like COO
ing doves from morning until night,
and John Cotton was congratulating
himself ON having tanned the shrew,
when a clash came and war was de-
clared. Ever since her marriage
with Cotton Becky had been secretly
wishing to get away from the vicinity
Of the bottomless pool. Visions of
the two murdered bodies that were
sunk in it's depths arose to disturb
the peacefulness of her life. She de-
termined that their home should be
sold and that they should move to- a
distant portion of the State. She
made the proposition Of this plan to
John, but he fatty refused to con-
slider it. Becky pestered and finally
stormed, until all the love which they
had for each other turned into hat
red. Neighbors limited to Cotton that
his wife had murdered her former
husbands and was now preparing to
get rid of him. Hoping it might act
as a safeguard against Beckys
treacherous actions and protect him
when he slept, Cotton invited Becky's
two younger brothers to come and
live with them. Even then he lost
all feeling of safety. He never kneW
at what moment his wife might not
administer to him his death blow.
His suspicious were so aroused that
it preyed upon his mind until he be-
came a mental and physical wreck
and dreaded to be left in the room
with his wife.
One summers night, old man Ken
nedy, Becky's father, came to spend
the evening with his daughter. While
sitting there he was assailed by three
men with whom he had had dispute
the day previous. The men became
violent and Becky denounced them
as "a pack of cussed villains" She
asked chow they durst to threaten
a gentleman in her house., With
this she flung her arms about her
fathers neck and dared them toI
shoot
Daunted for the moment by
Becky's defiance and display of cour-
age, the men drew back and Becky