Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-05-24

distributing our breakfast, she glanced at Lion
in the deep. warm sand S HNeyer could bear
one, until Lion there, then only half-g grown
pup, saved my first baby. He, just q weeny,
toGdliDg thing. got out OF the door, AM down to
the creek; and the first thing saw was the dog.
bringing him out, strangled and dripping, in
HE mouth. I wouldn't part with that dog for
his weight in gold"
whatever Lots inmost mind or secret repin-
ings. his outward life bore evidence of marked
revolution towards the side of fruitful and
virtuous industry. No more loiterings at tasks
clothed himself in dignity and reticence
more severe than characterized Lot under the
new administration, at whose head stood his
brisk little wife.
To us, the advent of Lots wife marked the
commencement of a new era; Wholesome food,
tidy cabin, and, above all, no more darniIsg of
G6 o nsa
and then, the luxury of "biled shirt" We
were opening up a new and richer vein in our
claim, and prosperity and contentment smiled
II was an evil day that dawned upon our camp
in the gu!ch, when one of the boys, ten miles
above Us, turned in on his way to the city, al
most rrcstTate from a sudden attack Of noun
tain fever, and with money to pay note which
had become due on a quartz mill. He wanted
to know II any of Us were going i'm, as he could
make II worth our while to do the GRAND for
him, he re maining at our cabin until the mes
senger's return. As il happened, we were
not intending to go 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 communicate some
instructions to the ten-year-ol who immedi-
ately "it OUT in the direction of his
fathers claim. A few moments, and Lot him
self came IN. He was willing to accommodate,
paying him much; and he might a. well look
about little. All Of which familiar terms
might have been translated to mean thar his
wife was not at all averse to earning the "some-
thing" before intimated which should ''malxe il
worth his WHILE None of us questioned Lots
honesty, and we made haste to get him Off as
1t was after nightfall of tie en- ling dav.
when he was seen riding furiously ward the
camp, looking neither right nor l. I, batting
neither breath nor speed, until opposi e his own
threshold, he leaped 10 the ground, ashed in
side the cabin, and slammed TO the door.
We had scarce time to wonder at this strange
AMI usual proceeding, when there swarmed
upon us a party of men-armed, and stern
members Of vigilance committee.
Their GRAND was soon made known; they we're
in parsrht of the unhappy Lot.
party instantly surrounded his cabin. Then
the whole of The unfortunate affair came out
Lots spirit released from its accustomed res
traint had rebounded like a balloon that has
thrown over its ballast. .'Tarer's' last words
were useless as the wind against this sudden
and overwhelming elevation, born of renewed
liberty. HIS journey furnished him a golden
opportunity, though brief. for the renewal of
those harmless indulgences Of late so religiously
foregOne.
chance acquaintance, met Just in the edge
of town. easily led the way to a friendly tipple
in the nearest saloon. This change of good
| fellowship eventually resulted in many more
under the combined influence of which, no
| ROthschild ever felt richer than did Lot with
I the trust-money in his hand.
What occurred thereafter, passed to Lot like a
troubled dream. There was a vague RENE NJ
brance of all his hands at the bar a semitic a
| pistol-sho or two; and then the mad race home
a trust betrayed. the stain of blood upon his
hands, and the ''Vigilantes" close upon his
| heels.
They were ssre enough of him now-l2 men
to one, and he trapped like prairie-dog in his
hole. " 49,
Lion, the huge st. Bernard came smelling at
the garments OF the invaders, looking IN With
large. inquiring eyes, Half uncOnsciOusiy the
leader patfed the rough head caressingly as it
rubbed against his hand. The dog, friendly to
the friendly, reared upon his hind legs and
placed his fore-paws on the leaders shoulders
standing half-head taller than the man him
self.
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 adj
mittance.
Straghtway in the door appeared Lots wife
Gentlemen what will you have?''
I'VE have business with your husband, mad
am Will you ask him to step Outsider
- husband Is not able to attend to bust
ness, tonight
but our business Is important, and cannot
wait. If he does not come out, we must come
Gentlemen, you cannot see my husband to-
night! Her voice was firm, even, decisive.
perhaps trlne more decisive than usual.
growI. ~"
Woman we have no time to handy words.
The dog rose partly up, with a menacing
grOwl. The woman behind him seemed to rise
and expand IN the white heat OF passion that
possessed her. Her voice rose high and shrilI:-
land 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. l swear that you shall not
As she spoke, drawing with dextrous hand a
Colts navy from the fold of her dress she
held IT at full cock, bearing straight upon the
touched at the sight Of this dauntless devotion:
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" expostu-
lated the leader, more moved than he cared to
acknowledge.
superb scorn overswept the womau,s feat
ures. Bending to touch the dog with her hand.
the huge creature drew himself erect, angry
and bristling, with his lips drawn threateninely
back from his formidable teeth Then boldiy
throwing open the cabin door, she pointed with
appraised finger; still holding the deadly weapon
"A SCAtlinC
contempt rang in her words
"Does that man look like a cut-throat? Can
you all, looking inside this cabin tell me that
you are afraid to spare him to his wife and chill
dren this one last nght?''
She paused moment, glancing swiftly around
the circle Of rough faces pressing close upon
her. The tableau within showed Lot crouch
ing upon a 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 at his knees; while
between him and the door, the en-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 you?" she cried, eloquently gestur-
ing TO the crowd with her unoccupied hand
''that take the business of the Almighty into
ylur own hands, and send the souls he has made
unbidden into his presence, without a PRAYER
for mercy? Which would be the better ven or
him? Leave him to us this night, and as surely
as there Is heaven above us, in the morninS
YOU shall come in without hindrancs! YOu can
guard the cabin. There is no danger he will
escape yOu,'
There was murmur among the "yigilantes,
Their task a harder one than they were
prepared TO execute; and perhaps a Thought of
wives and children at home moved them little