The Minnesotian., 1851-12-27

at the fair of--,own. 1t may be here
necessary 10 remark, that R--had a
natural brother, TO whom he had been
generous and kind, and who had been Of
ten overheard vowing eternal vengence
on the destroyer Of his kinsman. He took
his mothers name-was called William
Halligan, but, by the country people, was
better known by the sobriquet Liaume
Vaadagh.t Eight months had elapsed
sincek-was killed by Pemberton,
and people began TO say that George
was safely seated in his saddle" To this
opinion hers dissented. Liaume Vad-
dagh.' before his kinsman's death, had
been held in light estimation. He drank
freely, headed faction fights, and, more
than once, had been hinted at in chapel
as gay deceiver. But a marvellous
change since his brother's death had come
over lis wild you!h-whsky never
passed his lps-no inducemcnt, at fair
or market, could rank him in a faction
iisht-his youthful compeers declared
he was bewitched-but older men shook
their heads, and hinted that the young
Liaunae Pailagh, under quiet exterior,
was ''iuller of mischief than a loaded blum
derbuss." The old folks were right, for
Long William only bode his time, like
red kirkpatrick, 10 ''strike sicker."
Pcmberton, although several monitorv
hints were given him, remained in false
security; and yet there were times that
the altered habits Of this wild young man,
when coupled with his omniprcsence in
fair Or market, Or wherever else the place
ne freqnented might be, went some length
in creating suspicion in the mind of Penn
berlon. At the fair on this day he en-
conntercd Long William" more than once,
and so did others, who noticed to lch 9TH
er change equally remarkable in his hab-
its and appearance. Liaunas Vaddagh
had hitherto won the deepest mourning,
and avoided spirits as he would poison
On this day his saLes were discarded, and
lie was gaily dressed; while, with his
''inky" garments, his unsocial habits ap-
peared 10 have departed. He drank deep
to his brothers memory, mentioning that
this was the birthday OF the deceased.
One other circumstance requires pass
ing notice. Lucy had frequently reques-
ted that "Long William would come to
see her, aware how strong the attachment
was, which had cxistel between her mur-
dered husband and his wild half-brother.
To every invitation the same answer was
gratefully rcturrcl-"IIc would duti.u!ly
wait upon her, when his vow should be
accomplished l"-whal the VOW was none
knew.
When evening came, and Mr.. Pember.
ton had orderc his horse TO the inn door,
Liau"s Vaddagh was seen, wrapped in
his catomore, riding briskly from the mar
ket-town. The distance TO reach the
principal entrance to tie park, would re-
qlire Il dsfo,v Of at least two miles, while
I, back gate opened upon the road that Will
liam took. There was no lodge, by Liaunse
pdddagh was seen 10 gain admission by a
key, and carefully lock the gate aftcrward.
The scene that followed was thus descri-
bed by one Of tic strangers.
On reaching the back entrance Of the
park, Mr.. Pembcrton unlocked the gate,
and when he had again secured ii, he turn-
ed to his guests, and bade them cour-
tcous welcome.
''This is the first time have had the
honor, gentlemen, to receive you at Mount
Haze; may | hope it will not be the last?"
The strangers bowed; while voice that
seemed an echo, repeated in hollow and
distinct tones "the last !" A gun cxplo-
ded-Mr. Pemberton staggered and fell
the strangers horses went off at speed
ono rider managed to keep his saddle,
while the other was roughly disinounted.
The fallen horscman rolled into the ditch,
and there, in mortal agony, he viewed the
dcaouen,ent of the tragedy.
A tall man, wrapped in frieze great
coat, stepped leisurely from the back Of
the hedge, and quietly approached the
body. He looked for moment at the
CLASSY eye and bloodless lips. "One bar
rel did the bu>iness!" he muttered, and
laid the gun in slan,ing direction across
The corpse. Then takinga written paper
from his pocket, he affixed it TO the dead
mans breast. Allwas method;caly done;
a pin secured every corner Of the p.acard,
and these pins Were placed care ulv in
the cuff ofthe murdcrcr's catamore. That
done, he cody reloaded the discharged
barrel. The stranger remarked that the
gun had been prepared for concealment
and assassination, tor the barrels had been
shortened by foot. The murderer ga
zed on the dead body for minute, but lis
hand never approached the pockets OF his
victim. except when he drew god watch
from the fob, muiiered it WAS '.hali-past
seven," and cautiously returned the time
piece. The murder being done to his sat-.
isfaction. he led horse into the avenue,
unlocked and refastened the gate, and rode
off leis,,rely. Half dead with fear, tho
stranger listened to the retiring horse
tramps, and crept cautiously from the ditch.
He shuddered as he looked at the body,
for, on the breast of the dead man, o pa