, 1864-08-19
Truth Stranger than Fiction.

In the Autumn of 1917. while the woods were
bright with the variegated hues which followed
the light touches of early frost, mounted trav-
eler was quietlypursuing his way through dark
broad, lonely forest, in the western part of the
State ofNew York.
He had ridden three miles since seeinga human
habitation and he had yet two to go before he
could get sight of another, He was ascending
hill into lonely-lookng valley, through
which flowed shallow Northumberland
and on reaching the water, he permitted his
thirsty beast to stop and drink
At that moment came out from clus-
ter of bushes into the road, or horse path On the
other side of the stream. This man was dressed
like hunter, and carried a rife on his shoQl-
der. In his general appearance there was notk-
ing that indicated hostility or wicked design.
He was of medium size, compactly built, with
intellectual features and certain air of gentil-
itv---sespai',s rather as one abroad from some
settlemeht Tor day sport tnan q professional
hunter.
All this the mounted traveller carefully noted
before he crossed the stream to continue his jour
ney, and when they came together pleasant sa-
lutaton was exchanged.
''Fine weather for travelling" remarked the
man with the gun.
"And for hunting also, should suppose"
smiled the other on the horse.
eyes, there is game enough" returned the
ly show one bear for my days work thus far,
and that is almost useless to me- for l have no
means of taking it way. l would willingly give
a dollar for the use of horse like yours for a
couple hours If you can spare five mintes or
so, would like you to see the bear. 1t is only
just behind these bushes, some two hundred
yards from here
"I will not only look at it," replied the trave-
Ter, dismounting and fastening his horse; "but,
if not too heavy, will take it along for you, see
ing l am going your way. tINI
The hunter thanked him in a most cordial
manner, and then, as if to make himself agreea-
BILE and keep up the conversation, inquired
where the other was from, whittier jOurneying,
and so forth; and learned in reply, that the lat
ter resided in Albany, was merchant-in good
business, and was travelling partly for his health
and partly with view Of making extensive
land purchase.
"WeI, here we are p exclaimed the hunter
the two emerged from the dense thicket,
through which they had slowly forced their way
into the the more open wood "here we are and
now l will show you as fine and fat beast as you
ever saw. Observe where point my riheP'
He stepped back some eight or ten feet, delib-
erately raised the piece to his eye, and pointed
the muzzle directly at the head of the traveller
There was FASH loud report, and the victim
fell like log with his face covered with blood
This might, or might not, have been the first
crime committed by the man with the rifle. But
as the traveller fell, the rife slipped from his
hands, and he shook violently from head to foot;
vet he ran to his victim, and hurriedlv robbed
him of his purse, pocket book, gold watch
and chain, some curious seals, a diamond breast
pin and diamond ring, which he fairly tore
from his finger. Then he dragged the body in
to the thicket picked up his rifle plunged mad
ly throughth bushes to the road, mounted the
travellers horse and dashed away from the aw-
full scene.
We must now suppose a lapse of twenty years
In the spring of 1887 there lived in the city of
New York a banker and a millionaire, whom we
shall call Stephen Edwards. He owned pala-
tial mansion, splendidly furnished, in the very
heart of the town, and he and his wife were
among the leaders of the fashionable world.
They had a beautiful daughter, just turned of
sweet sixteen who was about to be married to a
foreign noblemen, and great preparations were
made for the happy event.
One day about this period, as the great banker
stood conversing with a gentleman from anoth-
er city, who had called to see him on business,
he observed the latter suddenly turn very pale
and begin to tremble.
sMy dear sir" he said, in the usual tone of
off hand sympathy, 'what is thematter? are you
in?"
ga little faint, sir, butnothing to cause ALARM"
replied the other hurriedly 81 am subject to
similar spells. If you will be kind enough to
excuse me for ten minutes so, will take
short walk and return in better condition"
In ten minutes he did return, said he was
quite well, calmly proceeded to finish his busi-
ness with the banker and then respectfully took
his leave.
1t was, perhaps, week after this that, one
night, the great banker was sitting before the
fire in his library, when the servant came in
and presented him with letter. He took it
with yawn, opened it in the most indolent
and Indifferent manner possible, but had not
read a dozen words before he came up with
start, turned deadly pale, and trembled so that