Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1859-09-29

'oMnnn"k, IL mol very uhusuAT tainS ]
the sity Of St. Louis, for that town is th
head quarters Of the North Western Flu
Company, and the names of the Choteou
!, Aubreys &c. are historically affixed there
to. 4"'''t
Some few years ago, I was sitting in th
reading room Of the Virginia Hotel there
conversing on business, when an old man
u dressed and completely armed as hunt.
er trapper is when in his accustomed Wild
entered and minutely scanned the features
Of every person present LIE was evident
ly quite old, and very Tim and feeble, hook
ing as if he had recently arisen from a
couch of sickness. Yet his dark eye beam
ed brightly even fercely in its sunker
socket, and his erect form seemed to strug
gle against the mortal darkness which
pervaded it.
The cid man shook his head when he
finished his gaze around the room and
lnuttering "The cuss is not here!'' he turn
ed away.
Having finished my business, also left
and went up to the Planters house where
I boarded. When arrived it lacked but
a few minutes Of dinner time and guests
were gathering in the sitting room wait
ing for the gong to sound. ! had Just en-.
tered when the old hunter, VINO had be-
fore attracted my attention also came in,
and as before commenced an inspection of
every countenance.
Suddenly his eye flashed with fire
more fierce than ever I saw glow in hu.
man face before, and he strobe up to a
young fellow who bore the name of being
the most daring hunter Of the North West
Company, of which he was trading agent
when % the hunt, and the most reckless
gambler and widest debanchee of the
crowd, when he was in the city. His
name was Augusta St. Vrain. Only three
days before had seen him on the Bloody
Island, in the river opposite to St. Louis,
stand at ten PAGES against one of the best
shots in the city, and not nerve tren-
bled nor did his face pale, but he winged
his man as coolly as if he had been shoot
ing at abird. Yet now, when that old
man stepped up before him, and he caught
q glance at his fiery eyes, his courage and
presence Of mind seemed utterly to fail
him, and trembling while the old mans
voice, loud and clear as bugle, rang in
his ear.
II have songht you long Augusta St.
Vrain, and found you Remember Eide
L."
AS he spoke, the ominous click of the
old mans rife was heard. Astonished
into silence the crowd drew to either side,
while St Vrain tearing his shirt open, said
in q hopeless tone:
"Fire away old man, deserve iti'
The old hunter had scarce waited for
the word for st. Vrain's last word was
hardly spoken before the bullet from the
huuter's rifle passed through his heart.-
He sunk corpse on the floor, murmur.
ing only one word "Edele.'
The old man stood and gazed at the
body moment and then said "it is right
Il have fred my last shot,"
| In moment he was siezed-he made
no resstanee--and buried off to prison.
As | was then a practicing attorney in the
courts Of the City, feeling sympathy for
the old man, availed myself of my posi-
ton to 60 to him and freely offer my SER
vices. He received me calmly and kind
ly, but his voice was very feeble as he re-
piled /:
"Itis little use you can be to me, sir for
| have fired my last shot and tramped my
las, tramp. But as you seem to be the
Only friend I've got around here, may as
we'll ease my mind and tell you why l
shot St. Vran. Two years ago, would
have shot myself sooner than raise hand
to harm hair of his head. He was
young, handsome, brave as good trap.
per as ever drew a bead on grizzley's
eye. l loved him"
| The old mans voice grew husky, his
lips quivered. he paused moment, then
he went on.
II was not the only one that loved him.
My Edele--then only sixteen, the image
Of her poor mother--she loved him, and,
he pretended to love her. He promised
to marry her, and under that promise ru.
ined her. Age and shame made her keep
the secret until i, could be no longer kept;
then he fed from her, left her to bring a
babe into the world, aud then die broken
hearted with it upon her bosom. Both OF
them sleep in one grave on the banks of
the yellow Stone. For time thought
l should have to lay down there too, be-
fore found him. But KEEP, up until my
work was done. | care not for life now"
i tried to cheer up the old man. told
him that the recital Of his wrongs before a
western jury would acquit him, but he on
" shook his hend ard mnttered
"My last shot is fired, am at the end
Of my last tramp
One week afterwards, n few Of us, who
had discovered in him a brother Of the
mystic ,ie,' gave him honorable bura
! ia . .neighboring cemetery; tor he hnc
r passed away as quietly as il he ho hat
laid himself down by n pleasant camp fir
ID rest after long aud weary hunt
/, Green were the spriggs cast in his grave
and true tho hands which threw them
. . s---~-s--.