The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-11-11

IdUlu nlCctutc. lOt bnO ~ " Q ROi aOA
these people. was not. They were
vet ignorant of that mighty, omnipres-
ent power that now penetrates palace,
hut, wilderness, that. banishes Ioneli-
ness and ignorance, shorlens journeys.
lightens the gloom of prisons and
lengthens human life or what is
equivalent. condenses knowledge and
lexperience and enables the men OF
Itbe present to live through and real
ize cycles of slower existence, in
moments. Increases the enjoyments,
Lessons the labors, enlarges the
hearts, sympaihies aud imaginations,
I it almost places man beyond the evils
of mortality. And all without one
single drawback and at a trihing
cost. What the wealth and power
of the Caesars could not command
or compass, is at the disposal of the
poorest and hnmblest, Oh blessed age,
Age of wonders.
When this incident had been dis
cussed sufficiently to blunt the inter-
est and people were getting anxious
for something new, Lewis and his
gangs were gone to seek newer and
fresher pastures A ripple of inter-
est was excited by the arrival of q
stranger from east OF the mountains,
who announced bis intention of stay
ing round for while" He was ST.
lent, rather gruff and unsocial, very
dark complexioned and many thought
be had been a sailor He. was
handy sort of fellow, fell into the
way Of doing oddjobs about the tav-
ern aud was gradually installed as
bostler, occasional bar-kyeper etc.
He talked but little himself and APP
peared inattentive to the talk around
him; close observer would have said
the inattention was feigned. When
strangers arrived, if the conversation
did not turn upon robbers, be manag-
ed by almost imperceptible means to
lead it into that channel Against
courts, Judges, lawyers and all con-
nected, be seemed greatly embittered
and it was generally agreed he had
at some time suffered great wrong
| from them One night in particular
when the house was full Of travellers
and numbers from the neighborhood
had dropped in, some of whom were
strongly suspected of being connected
with the robbers. He asked the
Landlord if "the man that rode the
big iron gray was not sheriff."
Saying that if he was he might curry
bis own horse for he would not touch
him. This merely confirmed the gen.
eral impression. On another occa-
sion when many ofthese same neigh
bors were present, some one proposed
forming themselves into company
to catch Lewis and his gang and get
the rewards. After discussing the
matter for some time, they asked him
if he would not join them He in
dignantly refused, and became greatly
excited, said if he knew where to find
Lewis he would warn him, and more
to the same purpose. That Lawyers
and Judges were worse than be was
and robbed more people etc, etc.
Trout-Gshing that fayorite country
sport in which every boy was an ex-
pert, had great attractions for the
sombre stranger His i'll success
passed into a neighborhood proverb.
But his interest in the sport and his
deEotion to it were unabated. That
the robbers had returned TO their
mountain fastness was proved to the
people in more ways than one. Our
silent friend if he made any discover
les kept them to himself. That the Rob
Der Chief was fully aware of this mans
existence and peculiarities will not
be doubted for a moment when bis
certain aud speedy means of acquir-
ing information are recalled. lie
bad even been urged to admit him in
to the criminal circle, but refused,
saying he could give no reason for it.
but had a most unaccountable fear
of this man whom he bad never seen.
For during his not unfrequent visits
10 the neighborhood, DoLph, the only
name he gave. was invaribly absent.
OF late, too his best laid schemes were
thwarted when success seemed GER
ain The temper of the Bandit chief
was becoming irritable and soured;
bis popularity and influence with his
band were waning. their finances
usually hourishing, were running low /;
the thief as well as Donester men
found that evils came in troops and
blessings singly.
The acute reader will readily have
discerned that the silent and seeming
ly unobservant stranger was playing
a part and will doubtless have identi-
fed him with the victim to the stra-
tegic and mimetic talent of the Rob-
Der Captain. Immedia tely upon his
return to the locality, he had devoted
himself to making discoveries, and
by patient pertinacity had succeeded
| in identifying the different members
of the band, in tracking them to their
stronghold and familiarizing bimself
with minute and apparently trihing
details that would have escaped the
attention of less patient and deter.
mined investigator. BY the aid of q
small but powerful field-glass or a
pocket telescope, be had at distance
watched their movements, studied
their peculiarities so that be felt con-
fdent of being able to penetrate any
ordinary disguise. After discovering
the entrance of their Cavern he from
distance carefully noted their raab-
uer Of entrance and exit, and fiattered
himself that long security and immu-
uitv and confidence in the inaccessi-
bility of their natural fortress of rock
had rendered them careless. On
nearer approach and more careful
scrutiny he found be was in error in
that re gard and did injustice 10 the
geueralship of Lewis The nearer
be approached the entrance, the more
carefully be screened himself from
observation 10 the branches of trees.
Twas well for him that he used such
great circumspection or his purpose
would have been defeated and the
endsof justice frustrated for years.
The seeming carelessness of the rob-
bers was discovered to be confidence
in their well-tried and very effective