The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1864-12-01
TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION.


TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION.
u II, the autumn of 1917, while the
woods were bright with. the vasiegated
hues which follow the light touches Of
early frost, mounted traveller was quiet
y pursuing his way through dark,
lonely forest, Ia the western part of the
State of New York. He had ridden
three miles since seeing a human habita.
tion; and be had two to 60 before he
would get sight of another. Ho was
descending a hill into gloomy looking
valley, through whiek flowed shallow
but swift.running stream; and on reach.
ing the water, be permitted his thirsty
beast to stop and drink. .5... y.
At that moment man came out from
q cluster Of bushes into the road or horse
path, on the other side of the stream.
]. The man was dressed like a hunter,
and carried rife on bis shoulder. ID
his general appearance there was moth.
ing that indicated hostility or wicked
design. He was of medium size, com.
pactly built, with intellectual features,
and a certain uir Of gentility-seeming g
rather as one abroad from some settle,
mcnt for a days sport than professional
hunter. All this the mounted traveller
carefully noted before he crossed the
stream to continue his journey, and when
they came together pleasant salutation
was exchanged. a,.. .s., - ~. .* .
b "Fine weather for travelling, sir" re.
marked the man with the gun.
3 "And for hunting, also, I should sup
pose," smiled the other on the horse. d.
"Yes, there is game enough" replied
the other, but l am not good hunter,
and can only show one bear for my days
work thus far, aud that is almost useless
to me, because have no means to take
it away. ! would willingly give dollar
for the use Of q horse like yours for a
couple Of hours. you could spare FIVE
minutes or 50, would like you to see
the bear. It is only just back behind
these bushes, some two hundred yards
from here .~.... -,
:"I will not only look at it," replied
the traveller, dismounting and fastening
his horse, but if not too heavy, | will
carry it for you, seeing am mounted and
you are on foot" ..
The hunter thanked him pleasantly
and then, as If to make himself agreeable
and keep up the conversation, inquired
where he was from, whittier he was jour.
neying, and SO forth, and learned in
reply that the latter resided in Albany,
was merchant in good business, and
was travelling partly with the view of
making an extensive land purchase for
future speculation.
Well, here we are! - exclaimed the
huntey, as the two emerged from the
thickct, through which they had slowly
forced their way, into more open wood;
"here We are and l now will show you
as fine and fat beast as you ever saw"
lie stepped back some eight OF ten feet,
deliberately raised the piece to his shoul-
der, aud pointed the muzzle directly at
the head Of the traveller. There was a
fash, loud report, and the victim fell
like log, his face covered with blood.
This might or might not have been the
FIRST crime committed by the man with
the rife. But as the traveller fell, the
rife slipped from his hands, and he
shook violently from head to foot; yet he
ran to his victim, aud hurricdIy robbed
him of his purse, a pocket book, gold
watch and chain, some curious seals, a
diamond 5geas. pin, and diamond ring,
which he fairly tore off from his iuger.
lie then dragged his body into the thick
ct, picked up his rife, and plunged madly
through the bushes to the road, mounted
the horse and dashed away from that ter
rible scene.
We must suppose lapse Of twenty
years. ~ ..-' ''s~
In the Spring Of 1897, there lived il
the city Of New York banker and mill
ionaire whom We shall call Edward Ste
phens. He owned palatial mansion
splendidly furnished, in the very hear
of the town, and he and his wife wer'
among the leaders Of the fashionable
world. TREY had beautiful daughter
just turned Of sixteen, who was about t.
w muIIkeu w AUItlSu uOUIcluuU1 duS
great preparations were making for tha
event. ~
Ono day about this period, as the grea
banker stood conversing with q gentle
man from nsighboring city, who hat
called to see him on business, be observ
ed the latter turn pale and begin to trem
pie. -'' .....'. ....
"My dear SIR" he said, in the usa0
tone Of off:haud sympathy, "what is th
matter? Are you ill?"
ga little faint, sir" he said, "bu
nothing to cause any alarm,' replied tn
other, hurriedly. II am subject to sim
liar spells. II ycu will excuse me 70
ten minutes or SO, l will take a shor
walk, aud return in better condition.
In ten minutes he did return, said h
was quite well, calmly proceeded to fin
,ish, his business with the banker, an'
respectfully took his leave. ....s
1t was perhaps . week after this, tina
one night tho great banker was sittin
before the ere in bis library, when
servant came in and presented letter
He took it with yawn, opened it in sh
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