The gazette and Democrat. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1860, 1860-10-25

saw James ABmUOr' VIII nau IeiuSeu W
fight in fair and open combat with Charles
Harper, crouching amid tie bushes that
bordered Tie highway through Jersey
woods and as Charles Harper was riding
unsuspectingly by, saw James Agmoor
springfrom his covert and strike him TO
the earth with club-I would swear that
James Agmoor then and there murdered
Charles Harper and buried the body
where ! could find the bones: aye, find tue
watch that should indemnity the body"
GAN false!" cried the merchant arous-
ing himself a moment. "'Twas Agmoor
who dragged from his horse Charles Har-
perl Twas Hiram Mould who prompt
ed the assault for purposes Of his own
because he hated each with deadly bate
You Hiram Mould first made US, who
were till then, bosom friends, bitter enc.
miles, He struck mel returned the
blow; he drew his knife and stabbed me,
bat before l fell senseless l wrested the
weapon from him and dealt him fatal
trust that prostrated him also. We fell
together, alike unconscious, in swoon,
he dead. When sense and feeling re.
turned to me l was in your house. You,
Hiram Mould hid the body where you can
find its remains to convict me. The pub
lie believe that Charles Harper was mur
dered; you created that belief; but to use
me all my life you took successful care
that the finger of suspicion should not
point at me, lest the law might kill the
goose ethat laysthe golden egg" Hal h
While the tortued man was saying all
this, far moro lncoberently than we have
written it, the unmoved conspirator had
rapidly skelcbed picture of gibeted
felon, and as the merchant concluded,
Hiram Mould placed the insignificant
sketch. before him. "''.'. ''
Such shall be your fate; if Rachel Ag'
moor refuses to become my wife, said
he, pointing at the hideous picture with
his long, lean fore finger. .S...
Again the merchant yi-lded before the
terrible threat, and his head sank upon
his bosom.
"Now call in Thornton Clair and dis
miss him at once, said Hiram siernly, "ht
loves your daughter--she perhaps loves
him. You have foolishly allowed him tC
visit at your house;it shall be my car'
that he shall find other employment il
this city"
81 am in your power" groaned the un
happy man, rising and opening the door
but as he did SO his daughter R. stepped
quickly from the side of Thornton Clair
with whom she was eagerly conversing
and said:
81 wish 10 see Hiram Mould immediate
Ily, dear father" and gliding by her as
lonised parent, she entered the privat
office.
The merchant closed the door and turn
ed to address his child. Tall and qecnl.
in person, lovely brunette of eigh'eel
summers, with large black eyes usual.
full of soitness as became her amiable ant
affectionate nature, but her red lips cur
led with scathing contempt, Rachel Ag
moor motioned TO her father to pause 70
a moment, and bent her gaze upon Hiram
Mould. He seemed i'll at ease us thos
superb eyes slowly scanned him fror
head to foot bathing him as it were i
wordless scorn. He rose to his feet, an
recovering his natural GOODNESS, said:
II am happy TO see that miss Rache
Agmoor considers 50 humble person a
Hiram Mould worthy of SO continued
gaze"
"This Is the thing that dares to hop
to call me-wife!" said Rachel, and tho
the words were cutting the tone and man
ner penetrated to the marrow Of the rae
CATS bones, and flashed bitter words to hi
lips.
"The thing is honored in being SO ca
led. my naughty damsel. You are prouc
now Rachcal Agmoor, but the time sha
come when you shall humble before me
The trembling man who stands near you
) "If re- ect and defy you, you will a
tack the life and reputation of'my father,
said Rachael. "Yon must be very col
fdent of your power, to send such me
sage to the woman whom you wish
make your WIFE"
II am conscious OF my strength,
you desire to see a proof of it|' sneer'
Hiram.
t Rachel bent her head comtemptuousl
Hiram Mould was att loss to compr
hend this unexpected defiance, but sure
his ground he said.
, N,There is young man in your fat
, er's employed whom be loves as his ov
: son. Rather than harm q hair in th
young mans head, james Agmoor wou
s willingly lop off his right hand. veri
believe, if the sacrifice could avail eitht
Mr.. Agmoor. call in Thornton Clair"
d He looked to see Rachel pale and trel
n bling; bat she was calm and collected.
The timid father-t timed before the cas-
u ier alone, obeyed, and thornton Oh
o stood in the party. but his blue eyes We
s blazing with meneac so profound a
N deadly that Rachel laid her soft hand u
on the strongarm that swelling as iffO
r sudden blow to be dealt a! the g
'r pent eyes Of the sneering cashier, a
Or whispered: "Wait-for my sake"
n 'Mr. Agmoor, said Hiram, but recoili
n somewhat from the reach Of that arm
y has this young man dared to make love
one so immensely abosehim as u
daughter, and I propose myself as
o. husband bis presence in our establi
es meut is an insult, Discharge him a. ono