Year: 1859

been prepared for and awaited me there' aho
then present myself to my mother.


But while l was hurriedly slipping on the
pedlar's garments, saw lying at my feet
something that attracted my curiosity.
raised It and found it to be a solid bit Of pa.
per, wrapped about pebble, which had evil |
IDENTIFY been thrown into my low, open win.
dow. unfolded the paper, and read these
words, which were written on the sbrface:


"Come to the woods and make a change
again. I must be off at once"


did not understand this, but supposing
the pedlar was anxious to resume the dress
ada pied 10 his calling, and thinking was
still in time to return, dress and surprise my
mother, finished Orraying myself in his
garments, and then jumping from my low
window made my way across the fields to-
ward the woods.


At the last point ere entered them,
turned and looked back at the house. 1t
seemed to me that there was an unusual stir
about its generally quiet precincts, but con-
GLIDING il arose from the expected wedding
and its arrangements, hurried on, my only
thought being that as everybody seemed
awake and string, / should ufter all, be
obliged to make my appearance in my own
character.


had some little difficulty in finding the
spot where the pedlar had deposited his pack,
and where l expected to meet him. think
it was quite half an hour, and perhaps more,
ere reached it, and when reached, no ped.
lar was visible. called him, and receiving
no answer, began to look about. saw that
the vines had been torn rudely from the cre-
vice where the pack had been hidden. /
removed them and found that the pack was
no longer there. "He has gone, and shall
have to go home in this dress after all,"
thought, and was turning to move in that di.
rection, when the gIittering of some article
within the crevice attracted my attention.
thrust my hand in and drew out package
Of silver spoons, partially wrapped in tissue
paper, and marked with my SISTERS name.


was still holding them in my hand, and
lost in wonder as to how they came there,
when I was aroused by shouting and tramp
ing in the woods, and in another moment
several men, armed with various offensive
weapons burst through the thicket and sur.
rounded me.


The surprise and shock were so great that
have never been able 10 describe the scene
beyond this point, until found myself led
back over the fields, had just passed, q
prisoner, and learned that was accused OF
the tuuiest OF Crmes-that robbery and
murder had been done, and that had been
sven where fingered on the outskirts OF the
uooJ followed, and the seeming proof o
INV connection with these fearful deeds
found in my very bands.


All was con usion and terror when
reached tie house. Servants were flying in
| all directions; weeping and pale with hor.
rur. My sister was lying on sofa in the
little amily rom, her face buried in the
Gu sh;ons aud her torn convulsed with enc.
tiun, while her husband elect stood near
trying evidently to impart some words o
consolation which he knew were win. Blu
| was not allowed to stop here, but being led
almost thrust, into my mothers bed room
which adjoined this apartment. found my
self in the presence of her remains.


Till then had but vaguely realized tht
crimes whereof I was accused. But thii
sight told me all. 1t was with cry Of NOR
tai agony, that those strong men who hell
and surrounded me will never forget that


burst from their grasp and threw myself be
side my dead mother. But all unavaiint
were my burning tears and my bitter re


morse. There was the ghasty wound which
had let out life, and though her face was
calm and peaceful, it was the face of tht


dead.


l had no great difficulty in causing mysel
to be recognized by my sister. and by my oil


friends and neighbors; and while l relate


my unwarrant able confidence with the ped


lar, and my silly freak of maequerOding, m


self.accusutions were far greater than an
they could utter. My story gave the clue t
the real robber and murderer and men wer
presently securing the woods and the blea


hill country beyond in pursuit.


He was found, however. The willy vii
lain had laid his plans we'll, and contrived t


get clear away, carrying with him larg
sum of money, and nearly all my sister
more valuable welding gifts.


These he had taken from room With
my mothers and in returning had probabl
aroused her. There had been no struggle
aud he had evidently first straugled, and the
murdered her as she lay.


1t was long, very long, ere | recovere
) from this terrible shuck. In fact neve
have recovered. My unvailing regard an
: never.dying remorse have made me So
and hopeless man, for did / not direct th
robbers footstep and arm the assassin
hand
That was my first and last masquerade
t Years that seem to stretch to Centure
0 have passed since that day Of horror. Tru'
r I am still young man. but though my day
D exceed by far the allotted age of man,


never can forget, nor will the memory {
r my fatal folly ever be blotted out.