Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-04-26
Gales aud Sketehes.
LOTS WIFE, AND HoW SHE SAVED mn.

ava ~ AMI nun OAk 0AvAO 0xAs
Lots wife. however, on learning the
state OF affairs, was observed to commu-
nicate some instructions to the ten-ysar
old. who immediately .'lit OUT in the di.
rection of his fathers claim. A few mo.
ments, and Lot himself came in. He was
Wiling to accommodate, and would 70 to
the city. His claim wasn't paying him
much and he might as we'll look about
little. All Of which familiar terms might
have been translated to mean that his wife
was not at all averse to earning the some
thing before intimated which should
make II worth his while" None Of Us
questioned Lots honesty. and we made
haste to get him of as soon as possible.
1t was after nightfall Of the ensuing day
| when he was seen riding furiously toward
the camp, looking neither right ,nor.left,
batting neither breath nor speed, until, op-
posite his own threshold, he leaped to the
ground, dashed inside the cabin, and
slammed to the door.
We had scarce time to wonder ct this
strange and unusual proceeding, when
there swarmed upon US party Of men--
armed, and stern, members Of vigilance
committee.
Their errand was soon made known
they were in pursuit Of the unhappy Lot
A party instantly surrounded his cabin.
Then the whole Of the unfortunate affair
came out. Lots spirit, released from its
accustomed restraint, had rebounded like
a balloon that has thrown over Its ballast.
"Mariers' last words were useless as the
wind against this sudden and overwhein.
ing elaiion, born Of renewed liberty. His
journey furnished him golden oppor1u.
nifty. though brief. for the renewal Of those
harmless indulgences of late 20 religious
ly foregone. s@i 70
A chance acquaintance. met just Ia the
edge Of town. easily led the way to
friendly tipple in the nearest saloon. This
exchange Of good-fellowship eventually
resulted in many more, under the com
bined influence Of which, no Rothschild
ever felt richer than Gid Lot with the trust
money in his hand.
What occurred thereafter, passed to Lot
like troubled dream. There was vague
remembrance OF all hands at the bar. q
scuf1e. pistol-shot or two; and then the
mad race home, trust betrayed, the stain
OF blood upon his hands, and the ..Sigi-
lantes' close upon his heels.
They were sure enough OF him now
twelve men to one. and he trapped like a
prairie uCS III MS mole.
Lion, the huge St. Bernard. came smell.
ing at the garments Of the invaders, look.
ing up with large, inquiring eyes. Halt
unconsciously, the leader palted the rough
head caressiDgly, as it rubbed against bis
hand. The dog. friendly to the friendly,
reared upon his hind legs and placed his
fore paws on the leaders shoulders--stand- :
ing half head taller thar the man hin.
Meanwhile, neither sound nor light
came from Lots cabin. Lion, going over
pushed al the door with low whine.
Speedily following, the leader, with three
of his men, Knocked for admittance.
Straightway in the door appeared Lots
wife.
Gentlemen. what will You havee''
I'VE have business with your husband,
madam. Will you ask him 10 step out
side?" rlFgl
My husband is not able to attend to
business tonight"
But our business Is important, and
cannot wait. If he does not come out.
we must come in"
| "Gentlemen you cannot see my hus.
band tonight" !" Her voice was firm, even
decisive; perhaps little more decisive
than usual.
The dog, crouching at her feet, gave
low growl.
woman. we have no time to handy
words. Let US pass !"
The dog rose partly up, with menac-
ing growl The woman behind him
seemed to Use and expand in the white
heat of passion that possessed her. Her
voice rose high ami shrill:
"And say you shall not pass! you
that come, twelve armed men. with muir
der in your hearts, to take an innocent
man ont from the midst of his helpless
children. l swear that you shall not ionch
a hair of his head tonight"
As she spoke. drawing with dextrous
hand "Colt's navy" from the folds of her
dress, she held it at full cock, bearing
straight upon the leaders heart Not Il
man among them but was touched at the
sight of this dauntless devotion yet emo
tion must not prevent the discharge Of
duty.
''But this man has committed murder
the gravest crime known in the eyes Of
the law. Public safety demands that We
deal with him according to the letter OF
the law" eXpostulated the leader, more
moved than he cared to acknowledge.
A superb scorn overswept the wom-
an $ features. Bending to touch the dog
with her hand. the huge creature drew
himself erect. angry and~bristling, with
lips drawn threateningly back from his
formidable teeth. Then boldly throwing
open the cabin door, she pointed with up
raised finger, still holding the deadly wea-
pom aimed full at the leaders breast. A
scahing contempt rang in her words:
Does that man look like cut-throa,
Can YOU all, looking inside this cabin. tell
me that you are afraid to spare him to his
wife and children this one last night?"
She paused moment, glancing swiftly
around the circle Of rough faces pressing
close upon her. The tableau within showed
Lot, crouching upon low camp stool,
pale, disordered, and shaking with terror,
clasping in his arms his youngest born;
the two girls, firm and fearless ~ their
mother, were planted at his knees; while
between him ard the door. the ten-year-
old, with u dilapidated chair, rs rest,
A. 4