The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-03-08

'57, Cap and Dawn are inseparably as.
sociated. In 81, Cap having accumu
lated a sufficient quantity of dust
bought Sam Crummel's interest in the
store, and came to live with us-a de-
light to at least two of its members.
He was one of those men especially ere.
ated for the delight of children. HeaS-
sisted in our home studies and joined
in our games. In the evening, until
bed time, he would relate the most cap
tivating stories, every one containing
some useful information.-lIe did not
90 much among men, they all seemed
to hold him in deep respect-father
said fear; but I could not see why any
one should fear him.
In 'j3, while listening to the stories
Of two old miners, who were "going
over" tho old times again, learned
why they feared him, and then learned
that Caps hand had taken the lives of
two men-one in the summer of 40,
and one during the spring of the year
we arrived.
During the conversation, | learned,
also, that he took vengeance only after
he had foreborne to notice insult and
abuse and not until pistols were drawn
and his life attempted.
The years passed into '57. Twas then
nineteen-Dawn fifteen. All the vows
imaginable had passed between us, and
we were engaged.
IT was long before l understood the
mutual devotion existing between Cap
and Dawn. The simple, demonstrative
freedom, and utter absence Of all en-
barrassment, in her demeanor towards
him, rendered even thoughts of jeal-
ousy impossible to me. Dawn, now in
womanhood very beautiful, would at
times, in one of her strange moods,
throw her arms about Caps neck, in
the old girlish way, and lie still upon
his broad breast, often until she slept.
He would then place her carefully upon
the most convenient resting place, and
walk away without a word-only look
of deep peace and happiness upon his
face.
The months of that year hurried on
to a fearful day in our Iives-a terrible
one in the history of that community
the 25th of August. / remember it as
the one memorable day in my life, into
which the emotions of an ordinary life
time were crowded in strangest confu.
sion.
The night before, Dawn had given
away to one of her fits of passionate
grief for some reason not known to me
then, and sought her usual resting place
for consolation.
Father and mother had long looked
upon these demonstrations with unea
siness. Although satisfied for them.
selves that Cap was as free from evil
thoughts as Dawn, yet neither having
taken the trouble to conceal their feel
ings from the neighbors, prying people
questioned the propriety of girl at
Dawn's age showing her affection in so
unmistakable manner for man then
not more that forty, and not looking
that by ten years.
A number of families had, by this
time, settled in the place, and without
considering consequences, whispers OF
'immodest,' 'brazen,' bad circulated
so freely around the small circle that
we could not help catching breath oi
the poison breeze.
That night, after Dawn had satisfied
her real or imagined grief with abund
ant tears and sighs, mother went to her
and had long talk; while her father
and Cap, after closing up time, were
closeted in the sitting room until very
late.
The result was not very satisfactory
for the next morning, while Cap sat at
breakfast, a cloud over his pleasant
features, Dawn came in, looking white
and weary, and with a sudden impul.
Sive movement, leaped over, taking his
temples between her soft palms, and
pressed the beautiful lips upon his up
turned forehead, then slowly walked
to the open door and stood there with
folded arms and dropping head.
was not so blinded by passion for
Dawn but that some common sense re
mained and knowing, as l could not
fail to know what had occurred the
night before, this last act was like 8
poisoned arrow. Yet passing up street
few minutes later, and overhearinG
Big jack, the monte dealer, (stGnding
just in front of TeX's saloon, with his
back toward mel remark to Pretty An
dy, "that Dawn Barker was little
loose,'" the back Of my open hand
went against his mouth with force
enough to jOstle a cooked derringel
from his coat pocke,.~
Vixen he turned toward me, the ex
preston of his couutenance changed in
-tanGly from a certain forced, ferociou,
look-often assumed by bullying COW
ards-tO one ofutter fOolishnesS and hu
milily. He returned the pistol to it.
place, and began to apologize in an un
accountaDly profuSe manner. Jack
was not afraid but the suddennees o
being brought face to face with one
near the one he feared, made him hum
bic.
Half an hour afterward, looking VI
the same street, saw Cap coming to
ward the store. He was very white
eyes all aflame, lips compressed, heaC
erect, shoulders back, his feet striking
the earth rapidly and resolutely. The
bounding step flew past without recog
milton, into the store; the fiery insane
eyes fixed, knowing not even Dawn
who standing in the doorway, sLranI
back with terror.
At the farther end of the long counte
upon the old pine desk, lay grea
leather belt, with dragOon revolver ant
large bowie knife attached-Cap's prop
erty. He swung these about his wais
with quick, determined movement
and was on the street again before tn,
buckle was fastened-the samesplendiC
fnrU yiCihla I'm ayarNy optinn