Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-05-11
NEW SERlES-VOL. III.-NO I6.

boots first, Dan; Idon't like to inurc him
if it can be helped
Dan looked the genuine bull dog-I
rather admired his looks-into my boots
which were, of cour e. anything but sue
ccssful
"lll stop him bothering' said Bill
You and Dan only stand ready TO nab his
legs and arms, while | stick the pillow in
his face.
"llerc's a pretty position, thought l, for
a man OF my standing in the community (;
gong to have my breath stopped and folks
think ] died natural death.
"WeIl . the brute Bill, having amicably
settled the time and manner of my final
exit moved with the same noiseless tread
which had characterized all their motions.
round to the side of the bed towards which
! faced, and the others followed him as
still as ever.
"Ihere | lay, motionless, but with my
hands grosping my ready pistols beneath
the clothes, while ] watched every move
ment through my half closed eyes.
"Ihcy meant that their actions should
be simultaneous, so that should not ut
ter cry, or give kick before | was both
gagged and bound. Thereforethe arrang-
ed themselves in a row, with as much pre-
clsion as a company Of soldiers, on parade.
They were all prepared and could see
the leader just ready to give the word.
Quicker than Lightning sprang derect-
~ back from OFF the bed, and stood with
a pistol in each hand, ready to blaze away.
if any of them stirred.
"Nta,d SuHH ! Kissed between my set
teeth. Did you think to catch an old
droyer so easy? Make the least move
mcnt, and I'll shoot you like dogs =
'Iwo Of the villains, Bill and Dan,
seemed perfectly thunder-strucll, and in
stantly to drop all idea of having fight,
but | could see that the other meant to
punch me.
Oils countenance wore the expression
of tiger cheated of his prey. He cast one
sullen, glance, and scarcely seeming to
strain muscle, lcaped the bed directly
for the spot where stood.
81 uttered a scream, and instinctively
drew back as he did so, and at the same
time one of my pistols exploded and he
dropped upon the floor mortally wounded.
Seeing my unguarded manner at the
instant, both the other fellows, each draw
ing knife, sprang for the door at once,
well knowing that in short time the room
would be full of the persons who might
even now be heard along the halls and pas
sages, and thinking Justly, the present
was their only chance of escape.
again lodged back and fired, bringing
Dan down with shot in his right should
or, which made him drop his knife, and
left me with only Bill to contend with, !
stood back, selling a chair, and whirling
it around my head. AS he came up
gave him clip which broke two of the
fingers Of his left hand, and straightened
him out on the floor, for he got hit in the
head too.
Gracious youngster! wasn't there a
pretty sight when the folks came running
in as soon as they heard the noise I'll
bet there was There was DAN flat on
the floor, his shirt and coat were wet with
blood; there was the leader of them toss
ing and tumbling in the agonies of death;
and there | was pounding Bill with the
chair, till his head was raw and bloody. -
When the landlord came in, he asked
me how the thing came about, and told
him. He sent for surgeon right away,
but it wasn't Of any use only for Dan and
Bill Tor he said rs soon as he saw the 9th
er one, that he might not live more than
three quarters of an hour although he
might possibly survive three days. We
moved the oothers into different rooms,
and got him on to the bed where he was.
Then we cleared all the people out of the
room except the landlord, surgeon and
myself
"Vhcn we were left alone with him, we
asked him if he would have his folks sent
for. But you are tired of hearing me talk
tonight and I'll tell you what took place
in the dying mans room some other time.
80, no | want to hear it now %
We'll shan't tell you any moro to-
night for am tired myself"
But what become of Dan and Bill ?"
"They were tried and sent to State Prs-
on"
This was all could get out of him, for
he arose, toolla drink from the cider pitch
er,sand then, with light in his hand he
remarked:
"Now, young man, if you please, will
show you to bed.