A Tragic Tale.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 207, 18 June 1887, Page 2

A Tragic Tale.

A South African contemporary has the following : -A citizen buttonholed us yesterday, and made our hair stand on end with the following tale of horror : — In the district of , Oumge Free State, as the shades of night Avere tailing, a traveller sought and obtained the hospitality of a farmer. After supper, in the course of conversation, the stranger mentioned that he was buying sbock, and that he had £SCO with him. When the traveller went to bed his host said that his son would return during the night, and occupy the same room, so that he need not be disturbed when he entered. The traveller retired to rest, but, hearing whispers, his suspicions wero aroused, and he got under the bed. After a while the fanner went out — presumably to dig the grave of his victim. When lie had been away a little time a horseman arrived at the homestead, came into the house, entered the room, turned into the bed vacated by the traveller and was soon asleep. Then the farmer re entered the room with a stealthy step, and cut his son's throat from ear to car. The mnrderer carried off the body (of the traveller, as he eupposod) to rifle and bury, and the traveller got up from his place of concealment and cleared. The farmer had told the story about his son, so as to be able to carry out his fell purpose unsuspected, but the son had really returned, and the murder was turned into a parricide. (?) If this story is nofc true, it shows that the Free State has some " mute, inglorious " Miss Braddons to boast of.