, 1864-08-15
Hunter, Assassin, and Banker.

"ClC WIN ShC NoAACfsdtCu huCo
follow the light touches of early frost, a
mounted traveller was quietly pursuing his
way through dark, broad, lonely forest in
the western part of the State Of New York.
He had ridden three miles since seeing a
human habitation, and he had to 60 two
more before he could get sight Of another.
He was descending q hill into a gloomy
looking valley, through which flowed shall.
low but swift running stream, and on reach
ing the water he permitted his thirsty beast
to stop aud drink.
At that moment man came out from a
cluster of bushes into the road or horse
path, on the other side of the stream.
This man was dressed like hunter, and
carried rife on his shoulder. In his gen.
eral appearance there was nothing that in
dicated hostility or wicked design. He
was Of medium size, compactly built, with
intellectual features and a certain air Of
gentIlity-seeming rather as one abroad
from some settlement for days sport, than
professional hunter. Allthis the mounted
traveller carefully noted before he crossed
the stream to continue his journey, and
when they came together pleasant saluta-
tiOn was exchanged.
"Fine weather for travelling, sir" re-
marked the man with the gun.
And for hunting, also, l should sup
pose" smiled the other, on the horse.
Yes, there is game enough" replied
the other, "but ! am not a good hunter,
and can only show one bear for my days
work, thus far, and that is almost useless
to me, because have no means to take il
away. l would willingly give dollar for
the use Of horse like yours for a couple
Of hours. If you could spare Eve minutes
or so, l would like you to sec the bear. II
is only just back behind these bushes, some
two hundred yards from here"
81 will not only look at it," replied the
traveller, dismounting and fastening hi'
horse, "but, if not too heavy, will carry
ii for you, seeing 1 am mounted and you art
on foot"
The hunter thanked him pleasantly, and
then, as if to make himself agreeable and
keep mp the conversation, inquired where
the other was from, whittier iourneying
and so forth, and learned in reply that the
latter resided in Albany, was a merchant
in good business, and was travelling partly
with the view Of making an extensive lane
purchase for future speculation.
"Well, here we arex exclaimed the
hunter, as the two emerged from the thicket
through which they had slowly forced theiI
way, into the more open wood; Sand nov
I will show you es fine and fat beast a
you ever saw"
He stepped back some eight or ten feet
deliberately raised the piece to his shoulder
and pointed the muzzle directly at the heat
Of the traveller. There was fash, LOUD
report, and the victim fell ike log, hi
face covered with blood.
This might or might not have been tn
first crime committed by the man with tn
rife, but as the traveller fell, the rife slip
i ped from his hands, and he shook violently
from head to foot; yet he ran 70 his victim
and hurriedly robbed him Of his purse, I
pocket-book, gold watch and chain, som'
cnrious seals, diamond breastpiif, and I
diamond ring, which he fairly tore of from
his finger. He then dragged his body int
the thickct, picked up his rife, and plunge.
madly through the bushes to the road
mounted the horse, and dashed away from
that terrible scene.
| We must suppose lapse Of twenty o
more years.
In The spring Of 1887, there lived in tn
city Of New York q banker and million
aire, whom We shall call Stephen Edwards
/ He owned palatial mansion, splendidll
| furnished, in the very heart Of the. town
and he and his wife were among the leader
Of the fashionable world. They had |
beautiful daughter, just turned Of sixteen
WIN was about 10 be married TO q foreigl
nobIeman, and great preparations wer
making for that event.
One day, about this period, as the greai
banker stood conversing with q gentleman
from another city, who had called to Sc.
him on business, he observed the latter sud
denly turn pale, aud begin to tremble:
6 Nv dear SIR he said. in the usual ton
Of og-hand sympathy, /" what is the matter
Are you illgb
a 4 little faint, sir, but nothing to cans
anv alarm" replied the other, hurriedly
laI am subject 70 similar spells. II yoI
viii excuse me for ten minutes or so, vii
take a short walk and return in better cou
dition."
In ten minutes he did return, said b
was quite well, calmly proceeded to hnisl
his business with the banker and respect
fully took bis leave.
j II was, perhaps, awcek after this, tha
one night the great banker was sitting be
fore the Ere in his library, when servan
came in and presented letter. He tool
Il with a yaWn, opened It in the most indO
lent and Indifferent manner, but had no
read dozen words before he came up will
start, turned deadly pale, and trcmbled 3
that the paper ratified. He finished tn
note-lor Il was rather q note than lette
l-worked one hand uervously ct his throat
and, with the other, elasped his foreheal
and temples. For minute OF two b
seemed to be choking into ealmness. BY a
iron will, some terrible emotion, and he
far succeeded as to address the waiting sol
want in an ordinary tone
aJames," he said, "tell me, who CAV
you this letterl"
I. "A man, sir. and be said he'd wait 70
the answer f5iEtF f4
/ aThen he Is WaitiDgr
Il YES, SIR" -