The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1872-11-09

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their pistols in the woods. and without
arms:of any kind entered the clearing
and hailed the woman. IL was then
about twilight, and both men was shiv
ering with cold and fear, and Thomas
afterwards said he would have given
all he possessed to have been out of the
scrape. The woman answered the call.
and they told her that they wanted to
see Burton. She said he was not there.
but they insisted that they must see
him and would remain until he came.
The woman finding that they were
obstinate, at last consented TO let them
remain over night. and promised Ia send
her son for Burton in tie morning.
They past a miserable and anxious
night, and rose long before day. About
eight clock the boy returned and re-
ported that he had found Burton aud
informed him that two men Were wait
ing t. see him. Barton had Answered
that he would come over. and in a few
minutes Afterwards he appeared at the
edge of the CLEARING. Thomas and his
companions walked out to the gate and
,hey surveyed each other for a moment
ur two in allenca. Burton did not seem
pleu~ed at their appearance, aud once
or twice drew up his gun as if to fire.
They shouted tn him not tp shoot, and
thr"wing up their arms, DECLARED that
they had no weapons. Burton took
nnnth-r survey of them, and finally
slowly apploached. informing them that
he would fire on them on the least ap
lparancr oftreachpry, and that he only
waived his usual cust"m of firing on
any one wi'Lin pistol shot of bin out
ut curiosity 10 hear what they had Z"
say The trin ~ last entered the
/ house. and Barton. after ordering the
men ia front of him, sat drwn to break
/ fast with his gun against the bed and
/ in easy reach.
Thomas. who was thin and very pa4r.
! acted a spokesman, aud informed han
! that they had few days before e>cap-
ed fran a f,-drral prison at Spring field.
aud that they wcIr un their way South.
They hud heard If him, and knowing
that ne was well provided with such
things came to him for horses. cloth
ing and arms. They profes>ed TO be
anle and willing t. pay when they
reached home, aud promised to send
him the nlunry. Burton replied thai
h.. had no more sympathy for South.
ernprf than fnr a Northern man. auC
ihaI he had no friends. He murdered
and r., bhed both sides. dad did not pro
pose to assist any one. The men urg,
ed :hrt i--y were peri>hing with tbs
clothing t.ry had On and would rIthei
frecz- ar starse 90 death if be- did 10
assist them. Burton suid he could fur
niSh them with an easier death, ant
thdught he had better Kill them and pa
; ,hrm out of their trouble. L"oking a
Thomas emaciGted figure and whit,
fuce, he added, with horrible hum"r
tina; the skeleton could not live long
any way. and might as we'll be hustle,
uuJ IF rhr world at once. The two men
: whose teeth were chattering with fea
and cold. but who dared not approach
the fire without permission. stood il
silence while he mumched his breakfas
and uttered his ghastly jokes. He a
last finished his meal, and, picking ul
his rihc. placed it across his knees a
he seated himself in front of the fire
aad gave them permission to approach
I They drew up their chairs and s-ate
u themselves on each i !e of him
and agian urged him To give rhrI
horses and arms, saying that
could afford him no qualification t
XII two miserable devils likt
them, and that they would 6e fnrsve
grateful to him for assistance. Bur
ton told them 10 -top their talk and b
void let them know what be would d
: with them after he had smoked q pip,
i Drawing bis pipe from his pocket, b
: slowly Whitfield some Tobacco from
hard twist and filled the bowl.
I Thomas. who was at hi right han,
!, reached out and raising the heavy ire
poker in his hand. pnkrd an ember q
n of the tire for him Ia light hiS PIP
r. with. Burton stopped wn to put
y in the bowl. When Thomas, with Il
r spring panther. gained his feet AN
dealt the raitian fearful blow acrov
= inR ONGN 81 ul5 AiFttu 'AhiA AAN pm
~ His companion at the same instai
or prasped the muzzle of the riff a,
i snatched it from his lap. Burtu
n pitched forward on the hearth, bU
r although stunned. still endeavured
= clutch at his rifle stock. Thomas b,
IA IA intention of allowing his advantas
"A to Zip from him. and. while B.rt'
: was still on his hands and knee
l. sprung on his back, and using bo
a hands showered biow after blow up,
r. his head. crushing his skulIin atalmu
cb every stroke. When satisfied at Ia
n that the wretch was dead. Thon
tnl dr"pped the poker. AMI the two me
e. completely unnerved with the terri
he struggle. laughed hystericiiy. 1
nd woman. who was terrified special
%. of the scene, and who and, after
er first blow. wruug her hands and cri,
% For Gods lake don't let him get
~ or we are all lost" fell TO the floor j
,t. dead faint. The soldiers dashed
we part of the coBteuts of the wafer bu'
Sc ct over her, and soon restored her
.s frhov than fnnE "