The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-05-17

miners Oouuueu from tuolT teutS 6uC
and cabins on all sides, and hurried Il
the scene. One or two Of them caught
sight of two Indians making of into
the woods.
Mrs. Wilder struck light with trem
ulous hands, and hastily attired her
self.
"What's the matter? Is that you
sonny? 2" asked the fret miner, hurry
ing up.
1t was Tom Cook.
"Yes, sir" replied George. 1.-THE
robbers have been here. Mother heard
them, and l heard them running
away"
Mrs. Wilder came out.
"Were they here, Mrs. Wilder ?" he
asked for he had learned her name in
the evening.
"Oh-yes-some one was" she an
swered, breathlessly. "rve had-such
q terrible dream
"Maybe you only imagined it, Them
suggested Tom Cook; while the miners
were hurrying up from all directions.
mo she didn't" said George, eagerly.
81 heard theml"
"You bet she didn't" exclaimed one
of the miners excitedly, for he had
caught the hurried conversation rs he
came up. ~ saw them goin for the
woods; and they were derned sneak
ing Indians. I'd swear it,"
The crowd and the excitement in
creased.
Tom Cook was standing where he
could peer into the tent, and he noticed
| that her 30, osAn
"What is that, Mrs. Wilder? 2" he
asked, as he stepped to the door and
pointed to the aperture.
Mrs. Wilder looked.
"Why, it's been cut she said, as
tonished.
Cook went round on the outside, with
a number Of others, and examined the
point of interest. Yes, the canvas had
been ripped with knife.
By this time the whole camp had
gathered around the tent of the Wild.
ers, and as they learned the particu.
lars, loud imprecations were invoked
on the unknown robbers. All was hub
bub and confusion.
Suddenly scream was heard in the
tent. A rush was made for the door.
Had one of the robbers concealed him.
self within, and had Mrs. Wilder just
discovered him? If 60, Heaven help
him
No, there stood Mrs. Wilder, gazing
with terrified air at something she
had picked up near where the rent had
been made-and now, with a shudder,
she let it fall again at her feet.
"What is it? What's the matter?"
was asked, and Tom Cook, followed by
others, waived ceremony and entered
the tent, while George, with his AK, was
without, answering the hurried ques-
tions of new corners.
Mrs. Wilder; "my murdered husband
has been here this night shall soon
60 to him, know 1t is a warming
Oh, Abram Abram!"
Scarcely knowing whether to think
the woman sane or not, Tom Cook adj
vanced and picked up the object that
lay at her feet.
1t was knife-a large pocket knife
with two blades, one of which was
FIVE or six inches long, and open, and
the handle was of rough buck.horn. 1t
was a peculiar, old-fashioned knife, and
there was a small brass plate on it, con.
tanning the initials IA. W."
at was my husbands knife!" said
Mrs. Wilder, while tremor ran through
her frame.
The men stared at each other.
81 saw him in a dream-yes, and
saw him standing in the tent when l
awoke-and heard that knife fall |"
u The first thought that went the rounds
was to the effect that the ghost of Abram
Wilder had visited the window, and left
this article, that she might recognize it I;
but that idea was quickly dispelled by
the assurance of one of the miners that
he had seen two Indians retreating.
"Then, Mrs. Wilder" said Tom Cook,
who did not like to give the ghost up |
entirely, "your husband has appeared
to warn you of your danger"
This idea was received with general |
favor, and while confusion of voices
discussed the matter, the moon paled, |
and gray morning came over the noun.
tain.
Among the miners was one named |
Tirrell, who had recently come from
another camp few miles distant known
as Bear Gap. By-and-by he examined
the knife. When he did so he started,
his head in an intellectual
way, opened his eyes too wide, and ut.
tered significant exclamation.
What now, Tirrell? What's up p
Observation-Disclosures" he said, as
if he was not quite sure about it.
Are you sure? Don't speak rashly,
Tirrell."
He scrutinized it more closely, and
then said,
Yes; I'd swear to it. / borrowed
that very knife two weeks ago, and re-
turned it to its owner"