Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1873-05-03

thing, got out of the door. and down to
the creek: and the first thing saw was
the dog, bringing him out, strangled and
dripping i'm his mouth. | wouldn't part
with that dog for his weight in gOld!'
Whatever Lots inmOst mind or secre.
rcpinings, his outward life bore evidence
OF marked revolution toward the side of
frui full and virtuous industry. No more
lOiterings at tasks or ievity of dcmeanOr
no judicial magnate ever clothed himself
in dignity and reticence more severe than
characterized Lot under the new admin
istratiOn, at whose head stood his brisk
little wife.
TO us. the advent of Lots wife marked
the commencement of a new era whole
some food. tidy cabin. and, above all,
no more darning of socks, or washing
days. The wilderness had begun to bios
som. We even attained to, now and then.
the luxury of "biled shirt" We were
opening up a new and richer vein i'm our
claim, and prosperity and cOntentment
smiled upon US.
1t was an evil day that dawned upon
our camp in the gulch. when one of the
boys, ten miles above us, turned in on his
way to the city, almost PROSTATE from a
sudden attack Of mountain fever, and
with money to pay note which had be-
come due on quartz mill. He wanted
to know if any Of us We're going i'm. as he
could make it worth our while to do the
errand for him, he remaining at our cabin
until the messengers return. As it hap
pened, We were not intending to 90 for
several days, our stock of supplies on
hand being considerable, and not having
enough dust to pay for carrying it to the
bank.
Lots wife, however, on learning the
state of affairs, was observed to cOmmu-
nicate some Instructions to the ten-year-
old, who Immediately ''lit OUT i'm the di-
rection of his fathers claim. A few mo-
ments, and Lot himself came in. He was
! willing 70 accommodate, and would go to
the city. His claim wasn't paving him
much and he might as well look about a
little. All of which familiar terms might
have been translated to mean that his wife
was not at all averse to earning the
something" before intimated. which
should "makc it worth his while" None
OF US questioned Lots honesty, and we
made haste to get him off as soon as pos
sib.e.
ltwas after nightfall of the ensuing day.
when he was seen riding fiiriOusly 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 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.
MOI i'm 1xy .IprrnnnAp1
Then the whole of the unfortunate affair
came out. Lots spirit, released from its
accustomed restraint, had rebounded like
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 opportu-
nifty. though brief, for the renewal of those
harmless indulgences of late so religiously
foregOne.
a chance acquaintance. met just in the
edge of town. easily led the way TO a
friendly tipple i'm the nearest saloon. This
exchange of gOOdellOwship eventually
resulted in many more, under the COM
bined influence of which, no ROthschild
ever felt richer than did Lot with the
trust-money in his hand.
What occurred thereafter, passed to Lot
remembrance of all hands at the bar. a
scuffle. pistOl-shOt or two; and then the
mad race home, a trust betrayed, the
stain of blood on his hands. and the "Vigi-
lantes" close upon his heels.
They were sure enough of him now-l2
men to one, and he trapped like prairie
dog in his hole.
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 patted the rough
head carressingly, as it rubbed against
his hand. The dog, friendly to the friend
ly. reared upon his hind legs and placed
his fore-paws on the leaders shoulders
standing half head taller than the man
himself.
Meanwhile, neither sound nor light
came from Lots cabin. Lion, going
over, pushed at the door with a low
whine. Speedily following, the leader,
with three Of his men, knocked for admit
tance.
Straightway in the door appeared Lots
wife.
Gentlemen, what will you have?''
"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.'
"GentCynen, you cannot see my hus-
band Tonight" Her voice was firm,
even, decisive; perhaps trifle more de-
The dog, crouching at her feet, gave a
low growl.
Woman, we have no time to handy
words! Let us pass ?"
The dog rose partly up, with a menac-
ing growl. The woman behind him
seemed to rise and expand in the white
heat of passion that possessed her. Her
voice was high and shrill:
"And say you shall not pass! you that
come, IL armed men, with murder in your
hearts, to take an innocent man out from
the midst of his helpless children. Iswear
that you shall not touch hair of his head
to-nightr'
| AS she spoke, drawing with dextrous
hand a "Colt's navy from the folds of
her dress, she held it at full cock, bear
ing straight upon the leaders heart. Not
a man among them but was touched at the
sight of this dauntless devotion; yet
emotion must not prevent the discharge OF
duty.
s.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 let
ter of the law" expostulated the leader,
more moved than he cared to acknowledge.
A superb scorn overspread the woman's
features. Bending to touch the dog with
her hand, the huge creature drew himself
erect, angry and bristling, with lips drawn
- A>o Arr.,o hic foYYaidahll