The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1872-09-26

4
"Murder !n--saw nothing but the cold,
still face and lifeless form of his victim.
Towhead had not been murdered fiji
| teen minutes before his body was dis
covered by party of miners return
ing from some midnight carouse. They
carried it back to Jack Jeptha's shan
ty, amid threats of vengeance upon
the murderer. Arrived there, they laid
the body on the floor, while one of the
party went behind the bar to help Jack
fix up hurried dram, in the vain hope
of reviving the murdered man. His
eyes fell upon the bag of dust, with
Towhead's mark upon its side.
"What's this?" he said, holding it up
"That's Towhead's |" replied several
GLOW did it come here?" asked
Others.
Jack Jeptha turned pale as he real
lied the predicament in which he was
placed. He gave the true version of
the affair, but they would not believe
it. They were anxious to fix the guilt
upon some one, to hang somebody, for
Towhead had been pretty popular
among them. Several remained as
guard over Jack while others went out
to collect the miners for the immediate
holding of a trial. Judge Lynch al
lows no delay, and there was every
prospect of hanging in the morning
Mollie Jeptha come into the room
upon the arrival of the corpse. and her
eyes had closely watched Jacks face
But she believed his version of the
story
Jack" she whispered, IL believe
YOU" and then added, aloud: Il be.
lievc | know who did this. There was
a stranger here among the rest drink
ing last night, and more than once |
saw him look nj Towhcad's bag"
But the rough aud unreasoning
crowd would not listen.
Jack" she again whispered to the
prisoner, keep up your courage, old
partner. and I'll get you out of il Yet"
No" said Jack, doggedly, d" | didn't
do it. and | won't run Let 'cm hang
me, if they want TO-"
Il don't want You to run. Jack" she
said; Tin going after that fellow my
self. Goodbye, Jack; keep up your
Mollie kissed him, armed herself with
a pair Of reviewers. aud slipped ont un.
noticed. Taking the path that Tow.
head had followed. and speeding along
with al her strength, she soon came TO
the blood-markcd spot of the murderer
"0fcpnrsc, he ran away. q she thought;
" and likely he took the path
On she went through the storm,
which still ragged with such binding fury
as 10 render itdjllicult to keep the path. !
On she went. mile after mile, until tho |
rapid gait began to tell upon her
strength, aud she thought she must
drop down, when through the darkness |
she saw the murderer. lying where he
had fallen, aud the blood fresh upon
bis hands and shirt. He started up as
he saw her. but revolver faced him. |
lie turned to flee, bat her determined
voice stopped him,
Move a step further, and I'll shoot"
lie was entirely unarmcd, having
thrown away the bloody knife, and
could do nothing but obey.
=" am going to take you back To
Inc shanty," she continued. Go on
ahead, and remember that bullet will
DC the cost of any attempt to escape.
60 on ="
The man hesitatcd q moment: but.
seeing that she meant what she said,
ne sulIenly started.
With a revolver in her hand Moll
a few steps in the rear. Once
he turned quickly, as if to grapplc with
ler and disarm her. but the CLEAN of
he revolver aimed at his head changed
lis mind, and he sullenly started on
lgain. Knowing that death awaited
lim at the shanty still he lacked cour-
lge to make the only possible effort for
liberty.
Daylight came as they neared the |
abin, and both could hardly drag them |
elves along; but not a word was ,
poken. As the Gulch became lighted
Up, Mollie saw crowd of miners take
he path from the shanty. 6
"My God ~ cried Mollie "thev arc &,