New Orleans Republican., 1873-04-06

90 away, but ] changed my mind, and !
Ike this section so well that am going out
to-day to look at farm, with view OF pur
chasing. Come. ride up to the hotel
We rode up, ordered a lunch, and while
we were discussing it Mr.. Raleigh discoy-
cred that the farm he was going to see was
just beyond old Grips.
How fortunate: could ride ous with
him. see the farm ana return IN MS com.
pany, and he would be greatly pleased.
was also pleased Ii any one had told
me. as We got into the buggy. that George
Raleigh meant to return with my money IN
his pocket and my blood upon his hands, !
should have believed him lunatic. And
yet George Raleigh had planned to do that
very same thing.
It was lovely day in June, and The cooi
breeze and the sight of the meadows and
green groves made my heart grow larger.
My companion was very talkatlve. Du! ne
didn't even hint at my errand.
"Ohl excuse me" he exclaimed, after we
had passed mile or so beyond the village,
and were among the farm houses. .! should
have offered you this before"
He drew from his pocket small flask Of
wine and handed it to me. Now. was
temperate in regard TO drinks. In fact
detested the sight and smell of anything IN
.Oxicating. But had not the moral cour'
age TO tell him so and hand back the flask
undIsturbed. feared to offend him and so
| drank, perhaps, three good swallows. ae
called my attention to the woods on the
left as he received back the flask. and when
looked around again he was just remoy'
ing it from his mouth az il he had drank
heartily.
In about five minutes I began TO feel
queer. The fences along the road seemed
to grow higher and the trees TO grow lar ger;
something got into my ears so tAat the rat
tie of the buggy sounded long way or
How strange! why, believe am going
20 be sick - l exclaimed, holding on 10 the
seat with all my might.
You do look strange" ne replied,
snaky smile stealing over his face. 81
shouldn't wonder if it were apOplexy."
did not suspect the game he had played.
His words were ike an echo. and his face
seemed twice as large az it usually vas
Nv head began TO spin and my brain to
snap and crack, and ] was greatly fright
ened.
you are bad off" he continued, looking
into nv face. .. will drive as fast as pos
sibIe and get a doctor
NV tongue was so heavy that conld not
reply. | clutched the seat, shut my eyes,
and he put the horse at his best pace. We
met a farmers team. and | can remember
that one of the occupants OF the wagon
called out to know what allied me. RaIelgn
did not reply, but urged the horse forward
About three miles from Grafton was
long stretch of forest, and this we soon
reached. The pain in my head was not so
violent, and | was not SO badly affected
when opening my eyes. had settled into
a sort of dumb stupor, with brain so be
numbed that I had to say to myself, this
is tree, that is stump" etc, before
could make sure that | was not wrong
Half mile down the road after we struck
IL pn1A A,rh nA r ho
horse into blind road leading back into
the woods. could not understand what
ne intended. l tried TO grapple with the
question, but could not solve IL.
well, here we are" exclaimed Raleigh,
when we had reached point forty rods
from the road.
He stopped the horse, go. OUT and
hitched him, and then came around 70 the
wheel.
You don't feel just right, but guess
YOU will bs better soOn," he remarked.
Come, let me help you down
He reached up his arms. and let go Che
seat and fell into them. 1t seemed TO me
as il weighed ton, but he carried me
along without an effort, and laid me down
within about q rod of fence which ran
along on one side OF an old pasture. just
now the effect of the drug was wearing OF
and began to feel a little better, and got
had happened. But I was poweriess TO
move limb; the sensation vas Ike that
when your foot goes TO sleep.
Can you speak - inquired Raleigh. bend
ing over me, ''because il you can IL will
save me some trouble. | want 20 know just
where you have stored away that money.
Now began 20 realize my situation. His
face looked natural again. and the load was
off my tongue. I also felt that ! could
move my fingers little.
George Raleigh, are you going TO rob
me ~ | asked, finding my voice at last.
We'll some folks might call il robbing,
but we dress up the term little by calling
it the only correct financial way of equal
izing the floating currency so that each one
is provided for and no one left out"
You shant have the money: | will die
first" yelled, rising a little.
All, see-didn't take quite enough, he
cooIIy remarked. We'll, have provided
tor this
He went to the buggy, procured ropes
and gag, and kneeled down beside NE.
had but little strength left. and he con-
quered me in a moment. Lying on my
right side looking tOwary the fence, he
tied my hands behind me and then forced
the gag into my mouth
"1here, now you see you are nicely fixed
up, and all because you acted like fool.
instead of sensible young lawyer soon to
be admitted to the bar"
While he was speaking-indeed while ne
was tying mel had caught sight OF the
white face of a little girl looking al Us be-
tween the rails of the fence. l could see
her great blue eyes. There were red stains
around her mouth and on the little hand
resting on the rail, and | knew that she
was some farmers child searching for
straw berries. could not warn her of her
danger. and I feared that she would be
seen or heard. While Raleigh was tying
the last knot winked at the little girl
hard az l could, hoping tia; she would
move away. But she would not 60.
"Well, now for the money. said Raleigh.
and he began searching my pockets. He
wen. from one 20 the other, removing all
the articles, felt down my boot leg, and
then finally passed his hand over my bosom
and discovered the money.
"Ha here it ISL he exclaimed, drawing
out the packages and he was cool enough
to go at it to count out the money. As he
commenced the little girl waved her hand
to me. Ny heart went humping, tor ex-
pected she would utter word or a shout.
but she sank down from sight, and caught
a gleam of her frOck as she passed through
the grass.
You see, my young friend" remarked
Raleigh. as he drew off one of his boots
and deposited some of the bills in it,
there's nothing like transacting business
as it should be transacted. Some men
would have shot or stabbed you, but it ia
only the apprentices who do such work.
All the real gentlemen of our calling do
business as gentlemen should.'
He drew off the other boot, and placed
some fifties and twenties in it. and then
continued:
IL have it all planned how 20 deal with
voI as soon as | get this money disposed of
around my person. shall lay you on your
back ard pour the balance Of this wine
down your throat. There's enough OF /: to
make Won sleen until to-InnrrnM night. and