Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1873-03-28

toward the camp, looking neither right
nor left, batting neither breath nor speed,
until, opposite his own threshold, he
leaped to the ground, dashed inside the
cabin, and slammed the door.
We had scarce time to wonder at 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.
"Marier's' last words were useless as the
wind against this sudden and overwhelm-
ing elation, born of renewed liberty. His
journey furnished him golden oppor-
tunity, though brief, for the renewal of
those harmless indulgences of late 50
religiously foregone.
A chance acquaintance, met just in the
edge of town, easily led the way to a
friendly tipple in the nearest saloon
This exchange of gool-fellowship eventu-
ally resulted in many more, under the
combined influence of which, no Roths-
child ever felt richer than did Lot with
the trust t-money in his hand.
What occurred thereafter, passed TO
Lot like troubled dream. There was a
vague remembrance of all hands at the
bar, scuff1e, pistol-shot or two; snd
then the mad race home, a trust betrayed,
the stain of blood upon his hands, and
the "Vigilantes" close upon his heels.
They were sure enough of him now
twelve men to one, and he trapped like a
prairie dog in his hole.
Lion, the huge st. Bernard, came
smelling at the garments of the invaders,
looking up with large, inquiring eyes.
Half-unconsciously, the leader patted the
rough head carelessly, asit rubbed against
his hand. The dog, friendly to the
friendly, reared upon his hind legs and
placed his fore paws on the leaders
Notwithstanding a half-head taller
than the man himself.
Meanwhile, neither sound nor light
came from Lots cabin. Lion, going over,
pushed at 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 have?"
1--WE have business with your husband,
Madam. Will you ask him to step out
side?"
"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 trifle more de-
cisive than usual.
The dog, crouching at her feet, gave a
low growl.
Woman, we have no time to handy
words! Let US passl"
The dog rose partly up, with menac-
ing growl. The woman behind him
seemed to rise and expand in the white
heat of passion that possessed her. Her
voice rose high and shrill
"And I say you shall not pass! you that
come, twelve armed men, with murder in
your hearts, to take an innocent man out
from the midst of his helpless children.
swear that you shall not touch hair of
his head tonight?
AS she spoke, drawing with dexterous
hand "Colt's navy" from the folds OF
her dress, she held it at full cock, bearing
straight upon the leaders heart. Not a
man among them but was touched at the
sight of this dauntless devotion; yet emo
ton 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 woman's
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 upraised
finger, still holding the deadly weapon
aimed full at the leaders, breast. A
scathing contempt rang in her words:
''Does that man look like cut-throat?
Can you all, looking inside this cabin,
tell me that you are afraid to spare him
to his wife and Chi ldren 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 as
their mother, were planted at his knees;
while between him and the door, the ten
year-old, with dilapidated chair as a
rest, stood behind his fathers rifle.
The she-bear and her cubs were grit to
the backbone.
"Who are your" she cried, eloquently
gesturing to the crowd with her unoccu-
pied hand, ''that take the business of the
Almighty into your own hands, and send
the souls he has made unbidden into his
presence, without prayer for mercy !?
Which would be the better,
you or him? Leave him to us
this night, and as surely as there is
heaven above us, in the morning you
shall come in without hindrance! You
can guard the cabin. There is no danger
he will escape you!"
There was murmur among the "Vlgi-
lantes." Their task was a harder one
than they were prepared to execute; and
perhaps thought of wives and children
at home moved them little to this un-
wonted leniency. A brief conference,
and the leader said:
"Have your way. Make the most of
your time. Well not disturb you until
morning"
"Yoa are not deceiving mep" she said,
watching the while with eyes which
seemed to pierce like sharp steel points:
A hoarse murmur ran through the
crowd.
''No! moi Fair play!"
For a moment the woman's strength
seemed to fail, and she leaned heavily
against the easement; another, and she
disappeared within, the faithful dog fol-
lowing protectingly, close behind.
The men bivouacked around the cabin,