The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-01-29
NGE STORY.

sTR1SGE STORY.
In the autumn of 1917, while the wood:
were bright in the variegated hues which
followed the light touches of frost, a
mounted traveller was quietly pursuing
his way through dark, broad, lovely for
est in the western part of the State of New
York.
He had ridden three miles since seeing
n human habitation, and had two to e
before he could get sight of another. He
was descending hill into gloomy look
ing valley, through which flowed shall
low but swiftly running stream, and or
reaching the water he allowed his thirsty
beast to drink.
At that moment a man stepped out from
a cluster of bushes into road or Into q
horse path on the other side Of tho stream
This man was dressed like n hunter, and
carried rifle on his shoulder. In his
general appearance there was nothing
that indicated hostility or wicked design
He was of medium size, compactly built
and had certain air Of gentillty, seeming
rather rs one abroad from some new towr
for days sport, than a professional hun
ter.
All this the mounted traveller carefully
noticed before he crossed the stream Il
continue his Journey, and when they came
together, pleasant salutations were ex
changed.
"Finc weather for travelling, sir" re
marked the man with the gun.
"And for the hunting also, I suppose,
smiled the man on the horse.
"Yes, there is game enough" returne,
the other, "but am poor hunter, ant
can only show one bear for my days worl
thus far, and that Is almost useless to me
for have no means of taking II away.
would willingly give dollar for the u.s.
Of horse like yours for u couple of hours
IL YOU can spend five minutes or so IwOul'
like for you to see the bear; 1t Is only jus
beyond these bushes, some two hundred
yards from here.
~ will not only look at It." said tn
traveller, dismounting and fastening hi
horse, "but II not too heavy. will take
along for you, seeing am going the sam
way"
The hunter thanked him In most cor
dial manner, and then, rs II to make him
self agreeable and keep up the converse
ton, inquired where the other was from
whittier journcying and so forth, ant
learning In reply, that the latter resides
In Albany, was travelling In part for hi
health, and partly with the view Of max
ing an extensive land purchase.
"Well, here we are!" exclaimed tn
hunter,as the two emerged from the dens
thicket, through which they had slowl.
forced their way. "and I'll show you a
fine and rs fat beast aslyou ever looke'
Mt. Observe where point my rifle"
He stepped back eight or ten feet, de
liberately raised his gun to his eye, ant
pointed the mllzzlc to the head OF the tray
cller. There was flash, loud report
and the victim fell like log, his face GOV
cred with blood. .....
This might or might not have been tn
first crime committed by the man with tn
rifle. But rs the traveller fell, the riff
slipped from his hands and he shook vio
lently from head to foot; yet he ran d
his victim and robbed him OF his pocke
book, n gold watch and chain, some curl
Gus seals, and n diamond ring, which h
fairly tore from his finger. Then he drag
ged the body into the thicket picked nj
his rifle. plunged madly through the bush
es into the road, mounted the traveller
horse, and dashed away from the awnl
scene.
We must suppose a lapse of twcnt.
years. -.f
In the spring Of 1887, there lived In tn
city Of New York, n banker and million
alre, whom we shall call Stephen Ed
wards. He ownedsa palatial mansion
spiendidly furnished, in the very heart 0
the town, and he and his wife were anon,
the leaders Of the fashionable world
They had a beautiful daughter, just turn
ed Of sweet sixteen, who was about to b
married to foreign noblcman. and grca
preparations were making for the rhapp.
event.
One day, about this period, rs the bank
er stood conversing with gentleman from
another city, who had called 70 SEQ hin
on business, he observed that the latte
suddenly turned pale, and began % trenl