Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-04-21

The others called him Chisel. he wore
esp and suit of grey coarse cloth. Lid
not see his face. He plainly studied 10
hide it--kept it in the shadow, or turned
away. He seemed younger than either OF
the others-not stout, but 1.-THE aud quick
as cat.
1t was not a minute $ time from the
first fash till l was lying quiet on my
back in the road, with that white-taeed,
jewelled devil, holding me down, and
others kneeling by US. They called him
the Parson. They called the rough one,
With the brutal face and slouched hst,
Jiber, and the other Chisel, as | said.
"Chisel," he said-his voice was clear
and calm" Chisel, hold the lantern.
Jiber, cock your pistol. Put it to his head.
Are you ready 2"
Were ready, Parson." "
1t was Jiber who spoke. The other
held the lantern between my face and bis.
Jiber cooked his pistol, examined the cap,
and put the muzzle close to my head.
l felt the cold iron touch my skull. A
strong, convulsive shiver went through
me, shook me from head to foot. / knew
there was little danger-that it was not
20 their interest to peril their precious
necks But | saw the rufhan's villainous
face, and I knew that single twitch OF
the brutal fellows hand was all that
stood between me and he awful mystery
beyond. In broad day, when there is
no present danger, when life swells strong
in pulse and limb, when the pale horse
gallops far off beyond the sunset bill Is Of
hope, take as calm view OF that GER
tain but shadowy consummation as the
rest, suppose. But when the grisly
phantom comes quite close-when you
feel his terrible numbing touch andshis
blasting breath on your check-weli,
mot all the preaching siLce Adam has
made death aught but death.
"If he makes any trouble, Jiber," the
Parson said, s'blew out his brains"
He loosened his hold. The tramp Of
the flying mare had died away over the
hills. | had not five dollars about me.
[ lay quite STILL The Parson searched
me thoroughly, He took my pocket
book, took out the money, and threw
away the book. His face grew terrible
to see when he began to be convinced
that I bad not the bonds about me. He
pulled off my boots, examined the lining
of my cap. He gave up the search. He
turned to Jiber.
"Could he have thrown away the pack
age z"
Didn't throw away nothin' arter |
blinked him, 'cept it was his shooter
answered Jiber, doggedly. The Parson
turned to me.
"Get up" he said.
He spoke as he might to dog he had
kicked. That woke the devli in me. I
lay still and glared back at him | Saw
his perfect teeth set hard between his
thin lips. He took out pistol, cooked
it.
"Look here!' he said, where is the
m oney 2"
l sat up and gave stare for stare.
''W hats that to you ~
One second | thought be would kill
me. Then he governed himself and turn
ed away. He spoke to Chisel apart; then
he turned back to me
''Look here, you what his name," he
said, 'three miles from here there's lit
tie house, at the fork of Carrom lane and
the south road: There's a little woman
in that house, tonight, aud she's hand
some little woman, and she's al alone.'
He saw me shudder. l had forgotten
Nell for one moment. He went on:
"I'm going to ask you some questions.
IF you answer square, all right. If not,
we tie you up, carry you into the woods,
AMI make her visit. Do you under
stand 2"
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