New Orleans Republican., 1873-08-10

here. Wilson was known for bully, and
ii SAWYER really done it, twas that-that
and the drink, for when he's himself he
wouldn't hurt a worm"
| SAWYER is said the other, shortly. Il
knew him before you were born, before
| ever he came into these parts
"Well,' said the boatman, you've a
queer notion OF all old acquaintance sake
then. that's all.
III give him swing for old acquaint-
ance sake If l can,' replied Groom, with a
scOwl.
Joe drew quick breath.
Can you do that he said.
That or lifer. l tell you, ny man, l
saw it done
You saw Sawyer kill Wilson!' exclaimed
Joe. stopping short Gu his oars.'
Il saw him strike the blow that killed
him. and that comes to pretty nigh the
same thing, take it,
But how is it you've kept back a.!
along!'
well, it's like this" said Groom, who
appeared 70 be in more communicative
mood than a while before. The day Of
the murder-tO begin at the beglnning-i
happened to be passing through Milihaln
and stopped over a train there to see man
had dealings with. He lived little out
of town. a lonesome road, part of the way
across some fields. l did my buslnes and
started back agnin as l had come. Half
way, or thereabouts, heard kind of cuss-
ing and quarreling in tho next nelG-rght
close to 10y ear it sounded, only couldn't
see anything for the high hedge. What's
up thinks |, might as well take peep.
Twas an uncommon fine evening; mooD-
light you could almost see TO read by, and
knew Sawyer as soon as l set my eyes on
him. His face was turned exactly to me,
and ugly enough then. The next minute
saw him strike out, and the other man went
down like log.
AND you let him lay" interrupted Joe,
in excitement. "YOu never called tor help,
nor nothing p
thought twas just drunken quarrel: /
knew what Sawyer was. and lett 'em to
settle 1t between themselves. l had to look
sharp for the next train, SO l hurried back
to the hotel, and none too soon either.
never thought about the matter till the
other day l happened to hear that John
Sawyer was going to be tried for murder.
and talking this way and that found the
time and the general circumstances agreed
with that evening, so then l knew l had
seen the thing done"
Groom paused a moment and when he re-
sumed it was in an distracted tone.
'''Twasnt particularly convenient for me
to leave my business just then: if it d been
anybody else Id likely have left the poor
devil to sink or swim, as might be, but
John Sawyer / tell you," he continued,
as catching the boatman's eye, he appeared
suddenly conscious of listener, I'D let all
I've got 60 to rack and ruin for the pleasure
of seeing John Sawyer stand there dis
graced and convicted man. and saying to
him, Twas me that did it. -
There was something in Joe Gorton's
breast on which the fierce words and man
ner Jared painfully. He was no preacher,
this poor, untaught boatman: he did nos
know how to tell the man before him that
his promised revenge was cruel and cow
ardly: but he felt that, even setting aside
Margy's interests, there was something in
it which reused all his instincts OF resist
ance. He shook his head as he thought
about it.
That's feeling can't make OUT ne
Cant you,' said Groom, shortly. suppos-
ing the remark addressed to himself
Have you got sweetheart, young man =
he inquired, abruptly, after pause.
"A sweetheart 7" replied Joe. starting d.
associations connected with the question,
and the man who put it.
Well, you've got no cause to be afraid Of
owning IT,. said Groom. who had noticed
the movement. "A sweetheart, when shes
the right sort, is what no man need be
your age'-he stopped moment-''I don't
s'pose you'd often see her like. l never did
There was a girl up at that place.
that tavern there. had kind of look
of her about the eyes and forehead. but
nothing to compare-I had a friend TOO
well, it amt much OF story GROOM
broke off with dry laugh. land don't
know why tell it at ali. only. maybe. i'll.
help you to make out what seems TO puzzle |
you. The long and short Of it is. tha. my /,
that, youngster: my friend |
cheated me out Of my sweetheart. l amt |
much to look at, know, never was. bu: |
'ould care for woman just as much as if !
Id been six foot high and fresh as rose. !
ana Id take my oath she cared for me, too. !
ill he came between us with false tongue, |;
enough 10 turn my girls head. Well ne |
,ame off first best; she left me and went
away with him. l swore then. boy" sad |
iroom, docking darklv in his listeners
earnest face, that, if ever my day come.
hought 'twould, but it has. and do you
hink III let my chance slip now: No,
" God - and the man brought down his
ist with a force that shook the boat-sido.
That was hard lines, sure enough. sad
|oe. thonghttully. but. MIR. Groom. YOU
vas speaking just now OF a girl up at
svern there! She's NY sweetheart, and
dded the boatman. slowly, ''shes Sawyer's
.irl. his only child
No" exclaimed Groom. evidently moved
y the intelligence, "Hetty's child" ne
iuttered to himself. Hettys Child -
Yes said Joe. eagerly. don't forget
those child she is. and that yOu'.. make
er suffer along with the old man
''Ah.' said Groom. that's all yerv well.
Ut don't forget neither whose child she
on the other side. No: I'm sorry tor the
irl. and for you. youngster. since you've
Il interes: in the girl. but I'd have nv nay
1T OK John Sawyer ROW, Il was g die
Dr it,
Joe's grasp tightened convu'siveir on his
ar. Was the man crazy. thus to make q
cas-: o: the misery he would cause before
ne whose advantage and opportunity j:
like was 20 insure his silence, Who had
i'm almost as completely at his mercy here
n this unfamiliar element as if they had
cen alone in all the earth. Ii he were to
lie for it. Every plunge of the dark water
eemed to he repeating those words. The |
oatmaH reused himself with start at the
Dund o: his passengers voice.
You re a pretty feller. amt YOU. now"
AID the latter. resuming the subject IL a
ghter tone. wanting to nersuGe me to
heat Justice after that fashion
''As for that" answered Joe. ..vcu s;t:
onrself il it had been anybody bu. Saw
er you wouldn't have troubled to hunt him /!
own, and can't see as that's any better
otion of justice than mine. Besides ne !
lded gravely. "the old mans got his death ,
'ntence already, if that's what You want.
That with the drink. ne ain I the man L.
sed 10 be. and the night OF the ynarre! he |
Dt a cough that's tearing him all 20 !
eces. The doctors say Le can: live long.
Dhow."
Hell live long enough 10 mske :he ac. !.
la.ntance of 4 ropes end. reckon said /:
room. With a coarse laugh. 'and .na.s all ,
care about
The brutal words an.i manner reused The