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[Caterpillar]

 The Pewsnaper Clipping (Complete)

[Ursos]

Just thought the original might be good to have too.

[Obes]

Late one summer evening, when the twins were eighteen, Eric Artemes was found curled up in the kitchen, a pool of his own blood, his hand missing, unconscious. After being tended for many hours by skilled physicians it was determined that he would live. Prior to that however, Richard had been founding* the woods near Rookery Tower, a mad gleam in his eyes, trying to sew the hand of his brother onto his own mutilated stump.

Richard was sent to the Asylum, and for a while things at 'Rookery Tower were quiet. Eric took over his aging father's business affairs and Richard mumbled to himself in a padded cell.
[blacked out] innocent [blacked out]

Yesterday however that peace was broken. Richard it seemed had somehow broken free of the cell and returned to his brother. All the facts are not know at this time, but it seems to this reporter that Eric must have defended himself, and upon finding that he had accidentally killed his own brother, taken his own life.

-------------------------------------

It's possible it fits in like that... but perhaps there's too many lines in the new section (as only three are blacked out on the original clipping, but we have the missing 'innocent' line, unless it's a very short sentence).

Obes.

[Caterpillar]

I think it makes sense in context, my only problem is with the way in which the last sentence is written. Seems "off" for a reporter. But what do I know?

[Obes]

Speaking as a trainee journalist (broadcast not print, so I'm no expert) But this looks like just a case of bad humour to offset the seriousness of the paragraph above.

'mumbling to himself' is an accurate description of what Richard was probably doing.

By the way, personal humour, 'Ric' is 'Eric' with the lefthand letter missing.

Heh.

Obes.

[Muskie]

Disaster Strikes Once More at Rookery Hill

July 12 1875

Rookery Hill, home of the once proud family Artemes, has in recent years become a magnet for tragedy. But perhaps now what began with the birth of Eric and Richard Artemes can finally come to an end. Richard Artemes was found murdered in the attic by his brother, who had then it seems hanged himself in the same room.

Those members of the community who remember the fateful birth of the Siamese twins, and all subsequent matters will be hardly surprised to find their lives have played out in this manner. For those who may not know, here is a summery of the recent history of the Artemes family.

Eric and Richard Artemes were born to well-standing parents, Arthur and Christine in 1851. The two boys were born joined at the wrist; Eric's right hand was Richard's left. As they were born in otherwise perfect health, their parents then decided to have them separated. But who would have the hand? Eric got it, and as the boys grew, this proved to be a terrible mistake.

Richard became obsessed with his missing hand, and, it has come out recently, attempted to kill Eric several times during their childhood. Arthur Artemes, concerned about his son's agitated mental state sent him off to boarding school. This did not however seem to do him any good, and when he returned for the holiday, that was when the first real tragedy struck.

Late one summer evening, when the twins were eighteen, Eric Artemes was found curled up in the kitchen, a pool of his own blood, his hand missing, unconscious. After being tended for many hours by skilled physicians it was determined that he would live. Prior to that however, Richard had been founding the woods near Rookery Tower, a mad gleam in his eyes, trying to sew the hand of his brother onto his own mutilated stump.

Richard was sent to the Asylum, and for a while things at Rookery Tower were quiet. Eric took over his aging father's business affairs, and Richard mumbled to himself in a padded cell.

Yesterday however that peace was broken. Richard it seemed had somehow broken free of the cell and returned to his brother. All the facts are not know at this time, but it seems to this reporter that Eric must have defended himself, and upon finding that he had accidentally killed his own brother, taken his own life.

The Artemes' mother, the aged widow Christine is currently in mourning for the death of her two sons. The funeral will be held on Thursday and will not be open to the public.