Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-01-16

Mark, then, it just 'leven now"
He looked at his watch.
There were several watches in the
party. All were referred to. They varied
but a few minutes.
LET me see," said the miner who had
wagered with the new comer-'let me
see. 'Twasen't more'n ten yesterday
his time getting dinner ready-Which we
eat at twelve
"To be sure" said another
ooh, watt" said the stranger. "Leave
it to him "
can right. He knows; for he has
watch, an had timed himself comm from
Marysville."
They reached the cabin, where David
Long, according to the custom, was serv-
ing his turn at keeping house for the
mess.
"Dave!'
"Hellor' cried gruf voice within.
'Come out"
"What's wantin'?"
"We've got bet, drinks included, and
it's left for you to decide"
Dave Long came to the door-a big,
burly fellow.
This man here-I don't know his
name"
"Well Blossom, he come around and
want to tell Us news Twas about that
murder you know. told him he'd been
asleep, an was behind the age. Now the
bet is that we've knowed it a day
twenty-four hours. You brought the
news and know whether we have or not"
"Now, honor bright" said the self
styled Blossom. Think first. | know
you wouldn't tell what wasn't true, but
you might forget. It's now just after
eleven. Can you say you got here with
the news before this time yesterday?
Think now"
Dave Long ruminated.
Yes, for | looked at my watch to see
how long l had been coming. It was
only two or three minutes after ten"
''Are you sure?"
"Certain could swear to it,
For you know" put in one Of the
others, ''that you got dinner after you
come"
Yes, durn it! don't know?"
'But," said the fastidious stranger,
maybe you didn't tell the news right
aWay?"
eyes, did"
"And brought it straight from Marys
ville?"
"All right. I've lost. Now for the
drinks. Give us your hand, Dave Long"
"Thar it is, stranger"
With movement so quick that the eye
could not follow it, the inquisitive strang
er snatched both the hands of David
Long, and the astOnished spectators saw
| their comrade standing there with pair
of handouts on his wrists. They also
saw the newly arrived, the man who had
| been asleep for twenty four hours, the
| nj RlOCSnpo al OF
burly comrades elbow, with firm hand
on his collar, and revolver at his
| temple.
'You're my prisoner! Move an inch
and you're dead man. | arrest you for
the murder of Mrs Wolf | am Detec-
| tive Black, of Sacramento. Neighbors,
| I've lost the bet.''
LONG was fairly paralyzed. He could
neither move nor speak.
| a clamOr arose among his comrades.
stranger, no nonsense. Dave Long
never done such thing. He's above
such a crime. Let him go! We can't
stand here and"
'Stand back" said the fearless officer
cit will so hard with any who interferes.
| This man is guilty, and / can convince
you"
How do you know?"
keep cool, and I'll tell you. He came
| here yesterday morning, at ten O'Clock,
and told you all about a murder that was
| not discovered in Marysville till nine.
| Did he walk fifteen miles in one hOur?''
| David Long was pale as death, as he
stood trembling from head to foot the pic
ture Of guilt. His comrades looked on be-
Wildered.
| "You see," continued Black, by way
| of further explanation; at was on his
guilty mind, and he couldn't help blart-
| ing it out, considering, of course, that the
murder would be discovered at daylight,
or sooner. Luckily, it was not known
till nine o'clOck-cxcept to the murderer.
and he has very kindly volunteered to
expose HIMSELF
Course my tongue" exclaimed the cul-
prit, grinding his teeth with rage and
fear. Il wish it had been torn out"
There's something" remarked the de-
tective, quietly. "Y ou left no trace-not
a shred, or thread, or shoe string, or
even a hair; but you came right up here
and told on yourself"
| "Daye Long! Dave Longi can this be?'
! exclaimed one of his comrades, Teproach-
fully.
The crest-fallen wretch hung his head.
"You poor fooln said another 9. his
! mess. w no nave tnOuSnl II. II II
wasn't for old times sake, we'd string
you up. Take him away, Mr.. Black; let
us see him no more"
eff the camp finds it out. they'll lynch
him before you can yet away with him, >
suggested another.
Filled with terror at this prospect,
Long determined to make one desperate
move for life With sudden spring he
released himself from the detective, and
darted toward the thicket not far off. He
had some hope that his speed might bear
him away beyond the reach of Black or
the others, where he could work Oft his
manacles. But the agile officer bounded
after him, and, before he had gone thirty
yards, seized him by the collar and drag
ged him down.
Maddened at his situation, the prisoner
commenced fierce but hopeless struggle,
attempting with kicks and blows to intiict
some injury to his captor but Black,
whose strength was extraordinary, clutch
ed him by the throat and soon overpoW-
cred him.
"Look here said he, somewhat heat
ed, eff you carry on this way, the camp
will learn what you've done, and hang