The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-05-17

Of the miners excitedly, for he had
caught the hurried conversation as 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 there was rent in one side.
"What is that, Mrs. Wilderi" 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 so, Heaven help
him
No, there stood Mrs. Wilder, gazing
with a terrified air at something she
had picked up near where the rent had
been made-and now, with shudder,
she let it fall again at her feet.
A. =. :. tIn fnts
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-
tons of new corners.
"Oh, Lord Of Heaven exclaimed
Mrs. Wilder; "my murdered husband
has been here this night | shall soon
90 to him, | know 1t is a warning
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, fashioned knife, and
there wa. small brass plate on it, con.
tanning the initials "a. W."
I" 1t was my husbands knife " said
Mrs. Wilder, while tremor ran through
her frame.
The men stared at each other.
" | saw him in dream-yes, and !
saw him standing in the tent when
awoke-and | heard that knife fall :"
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
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 gen eral
favor, and while a 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 a 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 a significant exclamation.
What now, Tirrell? What's up ?"
"I-know-this-kn T. 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"
a pause ensued. The miners looked
at each other moment, as if hesitating
to ask the momentous question.
At last Tom Cook asked it;
Who?n
"A man at Bear Gap. But, mind, |
don't say he's been here at any bad
tricks. His name s-Mallity."
What = exclaimed Mrs. Wilder,
starting as though she had trodden upon
a serpent; "Mallity Where-where is
he ?'
Az Dear zap.
Do you know him, ma am p asked
Tom Cook.
He is one of the very men told you
of last evening, Mr.. Cook-one that |
always thought murdered my husband
kno,0 it now, and this knife is his con.
Thereupon she briefly related her
story to Tirrell and others, who had not
heard it before.
Can it be that this man has been
coming all the way from Bear Gap,
week after week, to rob us p asked Tom
Cook.
But how about the Indians ?" asked
another.
"They may have been disguised. Who
could the other be, Tirrell ?''
Don't know, unless it is his bunky.
Another man and he live together in
cabin at Bear Gap"
Who is the other?' asked Mrs.
Wilder.
Sears. his name is"
4" Oh, Heaven y exclaimed Mrs. vii.
der, "the very names They are the
two men who murdered and robbed my
poor husband on the Plains, and that is