The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1854-08-04
Sinrq fur the Nunlf Girrlf.
Gifcumstantia! Ebi6epcs.

4
ton who had been member Of the Leoisla-
ture from his district, and was again a can
dIdate for that office. After passing their
time pleasantly, and becoming well acauaint-
ed with each other in course of the trip,
Hamilton, on landing, invited the Doctor
to pass to his house in the village, which
was kept by his sister, and tarry with him.
while he remained in that part of the coun-
try. -.
The Doctor remained with them short
time, and then departed on the land inspect
ing tour, into the interior, which was the OBJ
ject of his visit to the west. s.
On leaving the village on horseback,
Hamilton accompanied the Doctor 20 show
HIM his way; but becoming interested in
the conversation of his companion, and not
being particularly engaged at home, he con-
tinued with him until late in the afternoon,
when coming to number of branching
roads, they lost their way. :
After Journeying on until dark, in hope
OF reaching some house, where they might
OBTAIN the requisite direction, they reached,
just at nightfall, the banks of river, on
which they found the encampment Of three
stout laboring wayfarers with their families
and wagons. They asked permission to
spend the night with the party, and spent
portion of it around the fires, engaged in
conversation on their various plans Of emf
grafton and settlement.
AT daylight preparations were made for
separation, and the Doctor received from
one of the three men the direction Of the
desired road. He told him there were two
roads, called the supper" and slower" roads,
but the slower" one was that which he
should take. He took the one advised, and
started with Hamilton. They went a short
distance together, when Hamilton bade him
goodbye, and left him. But before he de-
parted the Doctor told Hamilton that he
knew he was in embarrassed circumstances.
and wished to aid him if he could. He Of
fered to give him $500. This Hamilton
refused, but finally accepted as loan for a
short time. He felt grateful for this kind
ness, and to reciprocate his good will accord
ing to his humble means, took breast-pin
from his shirt and gave it to the Doctor,
and said jocularly, that he hoped to see it
some day adorning the bosom of some fair
daughter of the West. In return for this,
the Doctor took pen knife from his pocket,
on which was silver plate with his name
engraved on it, and on parting, gave it to
Hamilton.
Hamilton had gone but short distance
from the spot where he left the doctor, when
he heard the sharp report Of rifle, and im-
mediately after a deer bounded out before
him and fell dead on the road. Hamilton
got off his horse, to examine the animal
and, in doing so, got the cuffs Of his shirt
sleeves and his pantaloons and waistcoat
bloody. He again mounted his horse and
reached home. AS soon as he did so, he
changed his chothes, and gave them to his
sister to wash, desiring her to do it at once.
That day he went round his village and
collected together his various bills, which
he paid. At night, after closing his office
he stopped at the village tavern, on his way
to see lady to whom he was engaged tc
be married. Several persons came in while
he was there, and declared that murdered
man had been found ON certain road, -
Hamilton Immediately exclaimed 'Heaven'.
1T must be my friend the Doctorr'
From the tavern he continued on his way
to the house of his betrothed, and Will,
there, her father came in with three police
officers who arrested him for murder.
He was taken to prison, and was told tn,
circumstances that led TO suspecting him.
i lie was told that 4 was known he had LEFT
the town with the doctor, and was the las
person seen with him; that he had been in
difficulties. before his return, but had on tha
i day paid all his debts--that his pistol and
breast-pin had been found beside the body
of the murdered doctor; that knife, with
| the doctors name on it, was found in hi.
pocket; that he had pretended TO loose hi
way in a country which was well known t
him; and, finally, that he had come hom,
with blood stains on his clothes, which ht
had given to his sister with orders to wash
Immediately.
| On hearing this story recounted, Hamil
ton threw up his hands and exclaimed
4 that he "was a lost man."
He was tried, convicted and sentenced, -
The day for his execution arrived, but Ham
ilton was too i'll to receive the final action o
the law, and was respited, Before this re
4 spite had expired, Hamilton died in prison
i All these facts had Of course satisfied tn,
j public mind that the yirdict was just, ant
that Hamilton was the mur1erer-but abou
i three years afterwards, one Of the three mel
with whom our travellers had bivouacket
on the bank of the river, wss tried and con
yicted in the far west Of murder. Before hi
execution, he confessed that he was the per
] son yrho had slain tho doctor--t that ha ha,