The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1869-09-23
a STRANGE STORY.

a D GANO G S1Uh1 I.
In the autumn Of 1917, while the woods
were bright in the varicgated hues which
| followed the light touches of frost, noun
ted traveller was quietly pursuring his way
through dark, broad, lonely forest in
the western part OF the State of New
York.
He had ridden three miles since seeing a
human habitation, and had two to 90 be-
| fore he could get sight of another.
He was descending a hill into gloomy
looking valley, through which flowed shall
| low but swiftly running stream, aud Oh
reaching the water he allowed his thirsty
beast to drink.
at that moment man stepped out from
cluster OF bushes into road or into
horse path on the other side of the stream.
This man was dressed like hunter, and
carried rife on his shoulder. In his gen
eral appearance there was nothing that in.
dicated hostility or wicked design. He was
of medium size, compactly built, and
had certain air, of gentility, seeming
rather as one abroad from some new town
Tor a day sport, than professional hun
ter.
All this the mounted traveller carefully
noticed before he crossed the stream to con
tinue his journey, and when they came to-
gether, pleasant SalutatlonS were eXchaDg-
ed.
Fine weather for travelling, sir, re
marked the man with the gun.
And for hunting, also, | suppose, re
piled the man on the horse.
Yes, there Is game enough, returned
| the other, but L am a poor hunter, and
can only show one bear for my days work
thus far-and that is almost useless to me,
! for have no means Of taking it away
| would willingly give dollar for the use of
horse like yours for a cauple Of hours
If you could spend five minutes or so
would like for you to see the BEAR it is on
! ly just beyond these bushes, some two hun
dreds yards from here
Il will not only look at it, said the trav>
eler dismounting and fastening his horse,
| but if not too heavy | will take it along
for you, seeing | am going the same
way
The hunter thanked him in a most corr
dial manner, and then as if to make him
self agreeable and keep up the conversation
inquired where the other was from, with
er journeying, and so forth, learning in re-
ply that the latter resided in Albany, was
travelling in part for his health, and partly
with the view Of making an extensive land
purchase.
w ell, here we are! exclaimed the hun
ter as the two emerged from she dense
thicket through which they had slowly
forced their way, and I'll show you as fine
and fat beast as you ever looket at. Oh
scrve where | point my rifle.
He stepped back eight or ten feet, de-
], i. / l
pointed the muzzle at the head Of the trav,
eler. There was a fash, loud report,
and the victim fell like log, his face COW
cred with blood.
This might not have been the first crime
committed by the man of the rifle. But as
the traveller fell the rifle slipped from his
hands, and he shook violently from head
TO foot yet he ran to his victim and rob
bed him Of his pocket book, a gold watch
and chain, some curious seals and a da
mond ling, which he fairly tore from bis
finger. Then he dragged the body into the
thicket, picked up his rife, plunged mad>
~ through the bushes into the road, noun
ted the travellers horse and dashed away
from the scene.
We must now suppose lapse of twenty
years.
In the spring of 1887, there lived in the
city OF New York, banker and million.
aire whom we shall cali Stephen Edwards.
He owned ralatlal mansion, spIendidly
furnished, in the very heart of the town,
and he and his wife were among the lead
ers Of the fashionable world. They had a
beautiful daughter, just turning sweet six
teen, who was about to be married to for
elgn Dobleman, and great preparations
were making Tor the happy event
One day, about this period, as the bank
or stood conversing with a gentleman from
another city, who had called to see him on
business, he observed that tie latter sud,
denly turned pale and began to tremble.
My dear sir, said he in his usual tone
of off hand sympathy, what is the matter?
are you ILL?
"A little faint, sir, but nothing to cause
any alarm, replied the other hurriedly. L
am subject to such spells If you Will be
kind enough to excuse me for ten minutes
or 50, lwlll take short walk and return
bette.
In ten minutes be did return, said he
was quite well, calmly proceeded to finish
Is business With his banker, and then re-
spectiyely took his leave
1t was perhaps week after this that one
night the great banker was seated By the
lire In bis library, when servant came in
and presented him with letter. He took
1t with yawn, opening it in the most in
d0lent and Indifferent manner possible. but
had not read dozen words before he came
up with a start. turned deadly pale, aud
trembsed so the paper ratified, he finished
the note-for it was rather note than
ietter-workcd one hand nervousIy at his |
throat, had with the other clasped bis for
head and temples. For a minute or two
he seemed to DO choked into camness, by /
lis iron vii, come terrible emotion ana he