The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-05-31

whelmlng elevation, born Of renewed lib
erty. His journey furnished him o golden
opportunity, though brici, for the renewal
of those harmless indulgences oil late 80
religiously iOregone.
A chance acquaintance, met just in the
edge OF town, easily led the way to
friendly tipple in the nearest saloon.
This change Of goodlcllowship eventually
resulted 10 many more, under the COIN
bIncd influence OF which, no ROthschild
ever felt richer than did Lot with the
trustmoney in his hand.
What occurred thereafter, passed 10
Lot like q troubled dream. There was d
vague remembrance OF all his hands al
the bar, scufile, pistol.shOt or two, and
then the mad race home, u trust betray-
ed, the stain Of blood upon his hands
aud the "VigiIantes" close upon his heels.
They were sure enough Of him now
10 men 10 one, and he trapped like prai.
rie.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, Hall
uncOnsCiOusly, the leader pattGd the
rough head CaressiDgly, as it rubbed
against his hand. The dog, friendly tC
tue friendly, reared upon his hind legs
and placed his fOre-paws on the leaders
Notwithstanding half-head taller
than the man himself.
Meanwhile, no 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 hevef"
1--WE have business with your husband
madam. Win you ask him to step out
sideY
"Aly husband is not able to attend to
business, to night"
but our business is important, and
cannot wait. II he does not come out,
We must come in"
Gentlemen, you cannot see my hus-
band to.nIgbtpf Her voice was firm,
even, decisive: perhaps trifle moro. de-
cisive than usual.
The dog, crOuChlng at her feet, gave q
low grOwl.
Woman, we have no time to handy
words Let us pass y -.r..-..ft
The dog rose partly up, with a menNc-
ing growl. The woman behind him
seemed to rise and expand sin the white
heat Of passion that possessed her. Her
voice rose high and shrill-
"And | say you shall not pass you
that come twelve armed men, with muir
der in your hearts, to take IN innocent
man out from the midst OF his helpless
children. ! swear that you shall not
touch u hair Of his head Tonight"
As she spoke, drawing with dextrous
hand "Colrs navy" from the folds OF
her dress, she held II at luIl cock, bearing
straight upon the leaders heart. Not u
man among them but was touched ut the
sight Of this dauntlcSS devotion; yet emo.
ton must not prevent the discharge Of
duty.
but this man has committed murder
the graVest crime known 10 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 u 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 brisiling, with his lip
drawn thIeateningly back from his form
liable teeth. Then boldly throwing
open the cabin door, she pointed with up.
raised finger, still holding the deadly
weapon aimed full at the leaders breast
A scathiDg contempt rang in her words
"Does that man look like Il cut throat?
Can you all, looking inside this cabin tell
me that you are afraid to spare him 10
bis vile and children this one last night"
She paused q moment, CHANGING 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 girls, firm and fearless as their
mother, were planted as his knees; while
between him and the door, the ten.year
old, with q dilapidated chair, as rest,
stood behind his fathers rifle.
The she.bear and her cubs were grit 10
the backbone.
"Who are your" she cried, eloquenlly
jesturing 10 the crowd with her unOcCu-
pied hand, "that take the business Of the
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 morn
ing you shall come in without hindranCe!
You can guard the cabin. There Is no
danger he will escape you !"
There was murmur among the wig
ilantGs." Their task was harder one
than the were prepared to execute ;
and perhaps thought OF wives and child.
rem at home moved them q little TO this
unwOnted lenienCy. A brief conference,
aud the leader said
"uavG your way. Make the most Of
your time. Wen not disturb you until
morning"
"You arc not deCeiving me? she said,
watching the while with eyes which
seemed to pierce like sharp steel points.
A hoarse murmur ran through the
crowd.
mo! NJ! Fair play"
For moment the woman's strength
seemed to Tail, and she leaned heavily
agalus! the easement; another, and che
disappeared within, the faithful dog FOL
lowing, protectiDgly, behind.
The men bivouaked around the cabin,
disposing themselves for the night two OF
three appointed sentinals keeping vigilanI
watch. The Other members Of the camp
unable to sleep, had kept wakelul vigil
using our little influence and knowledge
OF the accused's inOlensive disposition 10
mitigate, II possible, the prejudice which
we found greater than the real weight OIL
evidence against him.
In an atfrsy, two men had been stab
ben-one seriously, one fatally; and Lots
hand held a bloody kuile. Innocent men
have been hanged even alter full judicial