Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-10-21
Truth Stranger than Fiction.

early frost, a mounted traveller was quiet
ly pursuing his way through a dark
broad, lonely forest in the western par
of thesState ofrNew York. He had rid
den three miles since seeing human
habiiation, and had two to 20 before hi
could get sight Of another. He was de-
scending hill into a gloomy valley, thro
which flowed shallow, but swift run
ming stream, and on reaching the water
he permitted his beast to stop and drink
AT that moment man came out from
a cluster of bushes into path on the
side of the stream.
This man was dressed like hunter
and carried his rife or bis shoulder II
his general appearance there was moth.
ing that indicated hostility or a wicked
design. He was of medium size, COM
pactly built, with intellectual features
and certain air of gentility-seeming
rather as one abroad from some settle
ment for few days sport, than profes-
sional hunter. All this the mounted
traveller noted before he crossed the
stream to continue his journey, and when
they came near together pleasing salu-
tation was exchanged.
"Fine day for travelling, sir" remark
ed the man with the gun.
sand for hunting also, | should sup
pose," said the other on the horse.
"Yes there is game enough, but am
not good hunter, and can only show
one bear for my days work thus far; and
that's almost useless to me, because /
have no means of taking it away.
would willingly give dollar for a horse
like yours for couple of hours. Il you
could spare five minutes or so, | would
like you to see the bear. 1t is only back
behind those bushes, some two hundred
yards from here"
II will not only look at it" replied the
traveller, dsmounting and fastening bis
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 be was from, whittier journeying,
&c, and learned in reply, that the latter
resided in Albany, was a merchant in
good business, aud was travelling partly
With the view of making an extensive
land purchase for future speculation.
"Well, here we are !" exclaimed the
hunter, as the two emerged from the
thicket, through which they had slowly
forced their way, into the more open
wood "and I will now show you as fine
and fat beast as you ever saw"
He stepped back some eight or ten
feet, deliberately raised his piece to his
shoulder and pointed the muzzle directly
at the head of the traveller. There was
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 rifle but as his victim fell the rife
slipped from bis hands and he shook vio-
lently from head to foot, yet he ran and
hurriedly robbed the fallen man of his
purse, pocket book, gold watch and chain,
some curious seals, diamond breast pin
and diamond ring, which he fairly tore
off from his finger. He then dragged the
body into the thicket, picked up his rifle.
and plunged madly through the bushes
into the road, mounted the horse, and
dashed away from the terrible scene.
-
Wemu now suppose lapse of twen-
ty or thirty years.
In the spring of 1887, there lived in
the city Of New York, banker and mil
lionaire whom we shall call Stephen Ed
wards. He owned a palatial mansion
splendidly furnished, in the very heart Of
the town, and he and his wife we're
among the leaders of the fashionable
world. They had beautiful daughter
just turned Of sixteen, who was about to
he married to foreign nobeman, and
great preparations were making for the
event.
One day about this period as the great
banker stood conversing with gentle
man from another city, who had called to
see him on business, he observed the lat
ter turn pale and begin to tremble.
"My dear sir" said be in the usual tone
of of-hand sympathy, "what is the mat
ter Are you ill p
ga little faint, sir, but nothing to cause
any alarm" replied the other. 81 am
subject to spells. If you will excuse me /
Tor ten minutes or so, / will return in
better condition" saa. ., .
In Ian .,.;n,..o. L. Al ..At,... Ill