Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1872-05-16

caught the hurried conversation as he
came up. II 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. Wilder?" he
asked, as he stepped to the door and
pointed to the aperture.
Mrs. Wilder looked. =.
"Why, it's been cut u she said, as
tonished.
Cook went round on the outside, with
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 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.
"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-
tons of new corners.
! ooh, Lord of Heavenl" exclaimed
Mrs. Wilder; "my murdered husband
has been here this night !! shall soon
go to him, | know 1t is a warning
Oh, Abram Abram
Scarcely knowing whether to think
the woman sane or not, Tom Cook adj
vaneed and picked up the object that
lay at her feet.
1t was knife-a large pocketknife
with two blades, one of which was
five or six inches long, and open, and
the handle was of rough buck-horn. It
was peculiar, old-fashioned knife, and
there was a small brass plate on it. con-
tanning the initials ga. W.
1t was my husbands knife" said
Mrs. Wilder, while tremor ran through
her frame.
The men stared at each other.
" saw him in a dream-yes, and I
saw him standing in the tent when |
awoke-and heard that knife fall r.
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 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,
scratched his head in an intellectual
way, opened his eyes too wide, and ut
tered significant exclamation.
"What now, Tirrell? What's up ?''
ow-this-knifeI 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 it's owner"
A pause epsued. 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, 1
don't say he's been here at any bad
tricks. His names-Mallity.n
"What !" exclaimed Mrs. Wilder,
starting as though she had trodden upon
a serpent; "Mallity? Where-where is
hep"
"At Bear Gap"
ado you know him, maam?" asked
Tom Cook.
ale is one of the very men l told you
of last evening, Mr.. Cook-one that l
| always thought uufuoF0u NY uuSOduu &!
| k,aow it now, and this knife is his con-
demnation."
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 ?' 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 a
cabin at Bear Gap"
"Who is the other?' asked Mrs.
Wilder.
Oscars. his name is"
"Oh, Heavenr' exclaimed Mrs. Will
der, "the very names They are the
two men who murdered and robbed my
poor husband on the Plains, and that is
the way this knife came here. Oh, shall
they escape unpunished?"
"No no not by jug-fulll Not il
they're in Bear Gap or in California,
was shouted on all sides. Let's track
them home-hunt them down. Who: