The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-12-14
THE HUNTERS CRIME

| winch lOllOW tnC llplG IOUCH vi lTOSt, Il
mounted traveller was pursuing his way
through a dark, broad, lovely forest in
the western part of the State of New
York.
He had ridden three miles since seeing
a human habitation, and had yet two
miles to 90 before lie could get sight OF
another. He was descending hill into
a gloomy valley, through which flowed
shallow, but swift running stte;im, and
ON reaching the water lie permitted his
thirsty beast to drink.
At that moment a man stepped out
from a cluster of bushes into road or
horse path, on the other side of the
stream. This man was dressed like a
hunter, and carried rifle on his shoul,
der. In his general appearance there
WAS nothing that indicated hostility or
Wicked desigli. He was Of medium size,
conpactly built, with Intelligent features
and q certain air of gentility- seeming
rather as one abroad from a settlement
for days sport, than a professional
| hunter
All this the mounted traveller carefully
noticed before he crossed the stream to
continue his journey, and when they
came together pleasant salutations were
exchanged.
fFine weather for travelling, sir" re-
marked the man with the gun.
"And hunting, also;I suppose" " smiled
the one on the horse.
"Yes, there is game ert8ugh;" returned
the other; 'sbut am not good hunter,
and can OILY show one bear for my
days work, thus far, and that is almost
useless to HE. for l have n2 means OF
taking it away. I would willingly g i've
dollar for the use of horse like yours
for couple of hours. you can spare
five minutes or so, l would like you to
see the bear; it is just beyond these
bushes some two or three hundred yards
from here"
"I will not only look lat it," said the
traveller, dismounting and fastening the
horse, ''but if not too heavy will take
lit along for you, as l am going the same
way"
The hunter thanked him in q most
cordial manner, and then, as if to make
himself agreeable and keep up conver-
sation, inquired where the other was
from, whittier journeying, and so forth ;
and learned in reply that the latter resi-
ded in Albany, a merchant in good bust
ness, and was travelling partly for his
health, and partly with view Of making
an extensive purchase Of land.
swell, here we are" exclaimed the
hunter, and the two emerged from dense
thicket through which they had slowly
forced their way into the more open
road; "here we are, and I'll show you as
fine and fat beast as you ever saw. OBJ
serve where l point my rifle
He stepped back eight or ten feet, de-
liberately raised his gun to his eye, and
pointed the muzzle at the head of the
traveller. There was flash, loud re-
port, 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 the traveller fell his
rife slipped from his hand, and he
shook violently from head to foot; yet
he ran to his victim and hurriedly robbed
him of his poclkct-book, a gold watch
and chain, some curious seals, and
diamond ring, (which he fairly tore from
his finger. Then he dragged the hody
into the thicket, picked up his ride,plung-
Ell madly through the bushes into the
road, mounted the travellers horse and
dashed away from the awful scene.
We must now suppose lapse OF
twenty 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 palatial 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 beautiful daughter, just out
of sweet sixteen, who was about to be
married to foreign nobleman, and great
preparations were being made for the
happy event.
On day. about this period, as the
great banker stood conversing with q
gentleman from another city, who had
called to see him on business, he observ,
ed that the latter turned suddenly pale
and began to tremblc.
"My dear sir" said he, in his usual
tones of of-haDd sympathy, "what is the
matter? Are you i'll ~
"a little faint, sir; but nothing to
cause alarm" replied the other hurriedly.
Il am subject to such spells. If you
will be kind enough to excuse me for ten
minutes or so, l will take a short walk
and return better"
In ten minutes he did return, said he
was quite well, calmly proceeded to fin
ish business with the banker, and thcr
respectfully took his leave.
1t was perhaps week after this thai
one night the great banker was sitting by
his fire in the library, when the servant
came in and presented him with Il letter
He took it with yawn, took it in the
most indolent and Indifferent manner
possible, but had not read dozen word:
before he came up with start, turnec
deadly pale, and trembled SO that the pa
per ratified. He read the note-for il
was rather note than letter-worket
one hand nei'yously at his throat ant
with the other claspcd his forehead ant
temples. For a minute or two he seem
! ed to be choking into calmness, by hi:
, iron will, some terrible emotion, and HI
SO far succeeded as to address the wait
ing servant in an ordinary tone,
James, he said, "who gave you TIL:
letter?'
"a man, sir, and said ned wait for al
answer"
Then 1 suppose he's waiting?"
"Ies, sir"
every well show him in
Soon there was Il slight tap at tin
door, and the banker said ''come in, ii
an ordinary tone.
The servant opened the door, ushcrec
in the stranger and Immediately with
drew The stranger was man vergin:
on sixty,of rough appearance and attire
He wore an old gray ovcrcoat, buttone'
to tho throat. and a Dair of green 900