Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1868-02-21

said |.
"Manc yer honor, why the big wig daugh-
ter, the Sonora Marina, has jist run away
thin, and nobody knows where"
Astonished as was at this information,
still said, ''but what in the world can this
have to do with your officer 2"
'Faith, then, it's all to do with the masters
honor, for he has just run after Mister Bel
font, whose done the dirty trick of chatting
him out Of his two booty black eyes,"
"Belfont run away with the girl!-pshaw,
it was 10 absurd and turned away to make
inquiries about her. First and foremost
went to Gray's billet; to my surprise found
he was absent upon night leave; however, the
story of the girls abduction soon proved true
enough, for the Alcade, the old lady who filled
the Office Of Ducna and the servants were run
ming about in the greatest excitement, VOW
ing vengence upon the ravis hers, Belfont and
Billy, both of whom, for some unaccountable
reason, seemed alike to share their suspicious.
As could do nothing in the matter turned
in, and vainly endcavoring to unravcl the
mystery, made up my mind to sleep till roll
call.
Scarcely, however, had I closed my eyes
than l was awakened by servant believing
in my ear that an officer had been found mur>
dered in the little wood outside the town
Hastily throwing on my undrcss and cloak, |
mounted my horse, and in quick time was in
the town, when, imagine my horror, upon a
table surrounded by officers laid the body Of
Gray, pierced through the lungs!
'-God in Heaven, gentlemen, how came
this?',' l exclaimed.
"Ask your friend, Eelfont, who although
too cowardly to go out can quietly run a
comrade through the back, said Billy OF Drag
on.
.Liar, this is net possible r exclaimed.
r.lCrawford you mast answer this said
the whelp.
"Gentlcmcn, this is too serious matter for
squabbling," said the major adding, to my
body, "Mr Belfont, you are under arrest until
this charge is answered"
"Good Heaven do you then charge me with
murder" exclaimed the astonshed Belfont
Billy O'Dragon's character was too well
known for the officers to credit any statement
of his against man with whom he was known
to be at enmi.y still the case was ie lrful-
His evidence seemed incontcstable. To wit
Upon missing the Sonora, he had fastened to
the town to charge Belfont with the abduction
when entering the before mentioned wood, he
had seen the body of Gray PROSTATE and well
tering in blood, and Belfont standing over
him with his sword drawn.
tLiar how is this possible? Sec, my sword
is Stainless" said Belfont.
The officers gazed upon the sword; it was
as said, and they rejoced.
"Thc villain coolly wiped the sword on tho
grass. saw him as l approached said
Billy.
81 viii not answer this liar, nor attempt TO
shrink from any inquiry but"
"Mr. Belfont, let me caution you, that what
you say now will be used in evidence against
you,' said the major.
II know it, Major, and would have it SO;
yet dare not for an hour permit this fearful
charge to be believed by you-at least with
out my denial" replied Belfont and he stern.
" added, "passing through the wood, heard
shrill screams, as if from woman, and in
stantly, as it flashed across my mind that it
might be some Of our drunken fellows offer
ing violence TO a female, drew my sword
and proceeded in the direction of the cries,
where found-but alas too late to rescue
poor Gray, as you see him, lying upon the
green sward weltering in his blood
This story seemed too improbable even for
the men who knew the speaker; they curled
their lips and Bclfont was handed over to
the provost's guard.
An inquiry took place. The evidence Of
Billy who sworc he had seen Belfont wiping
the blood from his sword, might have been IA
tai, but from the evidence of myself and sew
eral other medical men, who upon examination
found that il was not possible for the sword
a heavy, saber, given to him by decca sed
friend in the cavalry--to have inflicted the
wound which was small and triangular, and
US such was evidently the effect Of bayonct>
thrust. This, Belfont's known character, the
want Of motive for assassinatlng man, with
whom he had never quarreled, and some hesi-
Iation upon the part of Billy, sufficiently ex-
him; the charge was dismissed.
Believing in my friend, enragcd with the
young scoundrel who would have
sworn away his life, could not help exclaim-
ing, although had no foundation for MY sus-
picion, 'Do you know, George, I believe Ly-
ing Billy himself was the assassin"
"Why-whcreforc 1t is scarcely possible"
sThcy might have quarreled about the Sc
nora, who, after all, may have been taken
away by Gray"
at is not possible, Crawford; Dragon was
not the man who killed Gray. We must bide
our time, he will be yet found
"lf SO, nothing will excuse your calling out
and shooting the little reptile who would have
sworn away your life"
"Nothng shall induce me to fight duel"
ne said, solemnly. 81 have promised, l have
sworn to one whose beloved father fell in a
lucl, and whose love would be changed to
hate. To please woman many man has
fought. To please woman retuse to fight
! woman who has suffered in her deepest af-