Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1859-05-25
The Hunters Last Shot.
A TALE OF AN OLD MANS REVENGE.

>
To see an old hunter or trapper in his
buckskin garb, armed with riff e. knife, and
tomahawk, is not a very unsual thing in the
city of st. Louis, for that town is the head
quarters of the North Western Fur Compa-
ny, and the names of the Choteau, Aubrey's
&C., are historically affixed thereto.
Some few years ago, l was sitting in the
reading room of the Virginia Hotel there,
conversing with gentleman on business,
when an old man dressed and completely
armed hunter or trapper is when in his
accustomed wilds, entered and minutely
scanned the features of every one present -
He was evidently quite old, and very thin,
and feeble, looking if he had recently
risen from a couch of sickness. Yet his dark
eye beamed brightly. even fercely in its
sunken socket, and his erect form seemed to
struggle against the mortal darkness which
| preyade it.
| The old man shook his head as he finished
his gaze around the room and muttering in
| low voice, '.The cuss is not here % he
turned away.
| Having finished my business, also left
and went up to the Planters House where 1
boarded. When l arrived, it lacked but a
| few minutes Of dinner time and the guests
were gathering in the sitting-room waiting
! fer the gong to sound. | had just entered
when the old hunter, who had before attract
ed my attention also came in, and as before
commenced an inspection of every counte-
nance.
Suddenly his eye flashed with fire more
fierce than ever saw glow III human face
before, and he strobe up to a young fellow
who bore the name of being the most DARN g
e. IL. ~ Of oh
he was trading agent when on the hunt, and
the most reckless gambler and widest bau-
chez of the crowd, when he was in the city
His name was Auguste 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 a nerve trem-
bled, nor did his face pale, but he winged
his man as cody if he had been shooting
al bird Yet now, when that old mau
stepped up before him, and he caught a
glance of has fiery eye, bis courage and pres
> ence of mind seemed utterly to fail him. and
trembling, while the old mans voice, LOUD
and clear as bugle, rang In his
Il have sought you long, Auguste st
; Vrain and found you? Remember EDELE :
As he spoke. the omnious click of the ole
mans rife was heard. Astonished into silenc
E the crowd drew to either side, while st Vrail
tearing his shirt bosom open. said in low
7 hopeless tone:
Fire old man, [ deserve it -
The old hunter had scarce waited for th
e word for ST Vraiu's last word was spoken
G the bullet from the hunters rife had passe
j through his heart. He sunk corpse on tn
t floor, murmuring only one word, "Edele.
D The old man stood and gazed on the bod
a moment then he mnttered, LIT is right
have fred my last shot -
f Iu moment he was seized-he made n
: resistance-and hurried off to prison. AS
e was then practising attorney in the court
of that city, feeling a sympathy for the oil
IS man, [ ayailed myself of my position to 6
S to him and freely offer my services. He re
:, ceived me camly and kindly, but his voic
IS was very feeble, as he replied:
it Its little use you ean be to me, sir, for
e have fired my last shot, and traRped my la
le tramp But as you seem to be about Il
as only friend I've got around here, may
rt well ease my mind and tell you why L sh
St. Vrain. Two years ago, l would ha
sooner shot myself than raise hand to har
a. hair on his head. He was young, han
to some, brave as good a trapper as ever DIRE
a. bead on a grizzly's eye. l loved him"
ne The old mans voice grew husky. his
O. quivered, he paused monent, AID then
went on:
1t Il was not the only one that loved him.
My Edcle-then only sixteen the image
is he. poor dead mother-suE loved him, al
he pretended to love ner. He promised
alf marry her, and under that promise ruin
k her. Age and shame made her keep t
let secret until it could nc longer be kept; tn
he fed from her, left her 20 bring ba
into the world, and then to die broken hea
att ed, with it upon her BOSOM Both of tht
in sleep in one grave on the banks of the Yello
M stone. For time I thought | should ha
to lay down there, too, before found hi
but kept ur till my work was done. | CT
not for life now"
lgs tried to cheer up the old man. t
t a him that the mere recital of his wrongs
Elk, fore western jury would acquit him, but
iy. only shook his head and mnttered: 81
Ia st shot is fred, am at the end of my
EN- tramp
One week afterwards, few of US, v
had discovered in him brother of the m
ife, tic tie," gave him honorable burial i,
out neighboring cemetery; for he passed az
hat as quietly as if he had laid him down b
rch pleasant campfire to rest after long
the weary hunt Green were the sprigs cas-
the his grave, and true the hands which tn
ore, them.
the ------>s>--------
l'ye EF- To take out pitch, rosin, tar, pa
you &C., pour a little alcohol on the place and
to it soak in about a half an hour. Then