Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-08-16

d SIcdG DldCk Suakc CTdWiHlS GoWdIu
a stone and / began to speculate wheth.
er he would reach it before the time
was up. Then a wren, whose nest
was in the bush, perched near me and
commenced chattering and swearing
in my face, until hawk came gliding
round, and the little fellow with a cry
of terror disappeared in the grass.
q Several times he examined the lock
of his pistol, and tried to find a place
in the rock which would afford more
shelter. Once | thought he was 60
ing to speak, but the words seemed
to choke him. Then crossing him.
self devoutly, and having arranged
the weapon apparently to his satisfac-
tion, he lay sullenly biding his time.
Would the five minutes never pass I?
Frank still stood directly in front,
watch in hand and the gun under his
arfa4 He had Lit a cigar, and was
lounging lazily back against the cliff.
Careless as he appeared, [ knew
him too well to doubt that he wonld
hesitate for moment in going or fir
ing, as he had promised. At the time
he was giving his antagonist fearful
odds. Then only began to realize
the part had to play. 1t was for
tunately too plain. The man must be
disabled before he commits another
murder. That could only be done
by shooting him down. In a fair
fight | would not | think, have hesi-
tated; but my blood ran cold at the
idea now. Yet what was | to do p
There was no other way to save my
friends life, and God help me, it
must be done.
[ nerved myself up to fire at all
risks the instant | saw the murderer
put his finger on the trigger of his
pistol, and had just brought my gun to
bear when Franks voice rang out loud
and clear,
"Your time has come, look upW
Involuntarily he did so and | caught
his eye, a spasm of mortal fear passed
across his features. He made an eff
fort to raise his pistol, but a wire
cartridge from Franks gun on the
cliff behind him passed within an inch
of his head. The weapon dropped
from his hand; in three bounds my
friend had him in his clutch, dragged
him over the rock, and the struggle be-
gan.
1t was short, but from the nature
of the ground a fearful one. A care
less step would have sent both over
the precipice to the shelf below and
from there hundred feet down into
the Atlantic Ocean. Both were strong
powerful men; in weight the murder
er was greatly superior but in science
and activity there were few able tc
cope with Frank.
The murderer struggled hard fol
an inside place, and succeeded in get
ting kind of cleft in the rock. which
gave him slight advantage. 1t was
only momentary. Frank tore hin
from it with pull that brought some
of the loose stones crashing down, anC
with the shock they went reeling anC
staggering to the very edge of the
cliff.
| could stand it no longer; there
was long check cord which | haC
brought for my dogs, in my pocket
fastening it to a bush, | lowered my
self down. AS [ touched the grounc
he succeeded in drawing a knife
Frank parried the thrust, and Olsen
gaging his left hand struck him heavi
ly twice. The man dropped on hi
knees and began to beg for mercy.
rushed forward with vague feeling
Of terror. AS [ came up the unfor
tunate wretch cried out,
Save me, for Gods sake, sir !! He'i
going to throw me overw
Hooked at Frank s face there wa,
an expression there | never saw be
fore, and would not like to see again
"Let him 60, Frank" | shouted
"that's the hangman's work, no
yours"
He did not hear me; grasping thC
fellow with both hands, he swung him
self half around, and flung him off witt
all his strength. 1t was well the Goa
he wore was made with the stronges
freizc; as it was we were nearly 90
ing over together. | laid him on hi
back, where he remained withou
strength or motion. Frank glared a
him for few seconds in silence, anC
then took my hand and said slowly:
"You are good fellow Harry, ant
| thank you. | didn't know what
was doing"
He turned away with a shudder
while poured out some brandy from
my flask, and threw it in the murder
er's face. He recovered after a tim,
and sat up, staring wildly round ant
trembling all over. I never saw
wretch so completely subdued. HI
clung to me for protection, and becam
as abject and cringing as he had beel
insolent before. We waited unit
dusk, and then brought him to tn
police barracks. Before sunrise tn
next morning he was twenty miles o.
his way back from whence he came
At the next assizes he was tried an
convicted. The judge was mercifu
and gave him "a long day." In tn
meantime fever broke out in Jail, an
he was one of the first victims. Th
last words he uttered were, "doni
throw me oyer!' Let US hope hi
prayer was granted.
A married woman, fifty three year
of age, committed suicide in Pennsy
yania a few days ago. because he