Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-01-27

fetuFh iFOM bei2nOoTluR city, tue RarueDef
was astonished to End his lovely wife in par
oxysm Of tears, and cvineing other tokens OF
the utmost terror and anguish. But all his en-
treaties failed to elicit any explanation from bis
lips, except the assurance that she felt oppress-
ed with the dark fore shadoWing Of some un-
known and mysterious but dreadful danger
However, after she became degree more tram
quill, having an affair of Importance to arrange,
he went to town.
On hi5 arrival he was aecoated in the street
| by person be did pot recollect to have seen
before. The stranger was man of middle age,
with coarse, siuisters features, cleaning black
eyes, raven hair streaked with silver, and
massive form revealing the appearance of her
culeaa strength and agility. He was dressed
IN rich black cloth, cut in the latest fashion,
aud profusely disfgured, rather than adorned,
with gems aud precious ornaments. A huge
golden seal, enclosing costly stone, dangled
from his heavy watch chain, which he twiried
incessantly with his fingers lie spoke With a
loud, bTusque tone. s'Mr. Parks-they say
that Is your name- allow me to introduce my.
self. l am Col. Powers, of New Orleans, and
have visited Texas in search of runaway slaves.
am told that you narbor theu."
e.You have been misinformed," replied the
gardener, sternly. "Theie is not slave or
even eoored person on my plantation"
'sNo, sir, | am not mistaken. The woman
that you call your wife is slave, aud was
actually born in my kitchen. Here is bill of
sale, containing the names Of her father and
mother, for whose bodies paid down three
thousand dollars. There, you behold the seal
Of the recorders court ~
The other reeed as If be had been struck
terrible blow With au ifon hammer, and gasped
out
s.Merciful God. il cannot be so. This man
mas. be insane, or an tireaming!n
sslf you doubt my word," said he, iwIling
his watch Chain angrily, ''yonder comes old
Judge Rise, who is familiar with the circumss
stances, and eau prove every item Of my asser-
tionso
The individual alluded 10, wto had been
member Of the New Orleans bar for many years,
confirmed the strangers story in al! its partic-
ulafs.
+ woald be impossible 10 give the fantest
iaea of TIC in1escribabie agony depictufed 10
the coun,enance Of AIr. Parks, as the astound-
ing truth, with its horrible consequences, burst
upon his soul, like flash of lurid ightniug.-
lie turned pale as death and staggered, as it
about TO fall to the earth; but, by great effort:
he wrestled for minute or more With his grief,
aud, couquermg, became evidently calm, but
still pallid piece of white paper.
"Why has this matter been kept secret so
lon2?" the gardener demanded in tones of fe.-
Fible meaning. ''Was it cunning device to
win gold out of human tears aud the blood of
innocent hearls9"
The Colonel, laughing With delight at the re-
membrance Of his craft, boldly avo8ei his own
infamy.
"Yes,' be saj, 81 was smsrt noted bow
beautiful the slaves were; determined 10 make
it pay to the highest figure. had them we'll
educated, aud made them, poor fools, think they
were free Under this impression they remoV-
ed to the Rio Grande. | gave them money,
which they have increased, with more than COM
pound interest, and now have come to get my
pay for all my trouble
And the pnblushing villain tWirled his watch
chain joyously.
wife and ehildrent" inquired Parks, with an
awful smile.
81 must have ten thousand dollars, besides
The return Of bel fortune, amounting 20 as much
more!' answered the Colonel, with the mos.
busness-hke coolness.
"Scouudrel, coward, thief, assassin! you shall
never own one cent from the earnings of my
years of tell" exclaimed Parks, in a voice OF
uncomfortable fury.
''Aiiud what you say, for I will have bloody
satisfaction for every insulting word you en-
ploy," said the Colonel, growing white with
rage.
sTheu take it now!" shouted Parks, striking
the other with such force in the face that he
rolled on the ground.
But Powers suddenly regained bis feet, and
wipiag the crimson streams from his mouth aad
nose, vooiferated-
81 claim motta. satisfaction on this very
spot"
sYes, you shall have there 90 replied the
gardner, in a voice that resemblei the wrathful
veil Of q demon.
Some accommodating bystanders, who had
collected around the scene, proffercd their
services as seconds, and the terms of the duel
we're Immediately arranged. 1t was settled
that the two principals should each be armed
with pistol, and assuming their stations tweu-
~ yards apart, at tie signal might stand or
advance and FIRE, which they pleased.
At The word, Parks moved calmly and stead
liz, with moderate steps, towards his enemy
The latter remained fixed as marble statue iu
his position, With bis arm elevated firmly, and
his dark eye cleaned through the sights With
deadly aim at his mortal mark When the
other arrived at the distance of ten PAGES, the
pistol pointed at his heart, exploded with
loud roar. But he faltercd not-paused not
-.hauged not his march. The bullet had bit
SILVER coin, (which happened TO be in the pocket
e nd hat al hoI A.
He never stopped until be was within three
, feet of his foe, when for the first time raising
his weapon, blew out the Colouel's brains.
Parks, with his faulty, and all the Garcias,
the next day removed INTO Mexico where they