Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-20

him unShrlVen lntO eleIHlty. WIN uii'.""
eyes, but with the speed OF machine
driven bv irresistible force. she swept
down from the wall where 1t hung black
dress of her own, tossed it over his shoul-
ders, hung upon them the shawl, ana
crushing her sun-hat upon his head, WINS
pered hoarsely: go and never let me
see you again. But stay" With qniek
movement she snatched the child. 'ohe
kiss, and may it burn into your heart us
mothers undying hate. Here, take thls
purse it is all mine-mine-do you near
bestowed upon me in charity, by, one OF
the gambling horde who surround you' 10
keep me from starving. 10 .,
The wretch needed no urging. WIN
hasty, uncertain steps, he stumbled ont
into the darkness, slipped and falling IN
his abiect fear, as the sound of shout and
halloo came nearer, but never stopping Il
moment to halt as he regained footing:
1t was blind race for life. The blood OF
his Young victim-a mere boy. lured 10
the gaming table, robbed. and murdered
in drunken heat-was yet upon his slaihea
hand But he was sober now; the heha
that liquor made him had given place 10
the cowardly instincts of his nature, ana
he ran with his tongue tapping out IKE
hat of mad dog. One drop OF water
if he could only stop to drink; but they
would be upon him, and he must reach
the dense brush and chaparral sklrting the
ravine. There was safety, for its intricate
and tortuous ways were known to be IN
tested by rattlesnakes. and they had been
left untrodden alike by hunter and pros
pector. Lester feared the reptiles thou
sand-fold less than the throng Of organized
men behind him. for it was during that
fearful time of excitement and peril, when
Courts and Judges. failing in their duty,
had allowed crime to 60 unpunished, ana
the license and Reorganization ruling the
hour induced good men and true to step
forward to the relief of society taking
Justice for their basis, and exercising It's
functions under an organization known as
a vigilance Committee" The man
body in San Francisco was in corespon-
dence with subordinate organizations
throughout the State, and notwithstanding
grave opposition from many quarters, the
character of the men engaged in this Illegal
ADMINISTRATION of the law Gf such coutrat-
dctory phrase may be used) secured Tor
them the cooperation and assistance OF
many of the best and purest citizens. That
the records of the society may not have
been Invested of personal animositles is
not with these our story has to do. Suffice
it to say, that ruffianism and murder re-
ceived check which satisfied. even II 1t
did not convinced most, that it was per-
haps the best and wisest action. on the
part of the people, which could have been
devised to control dangerous element,
and meet the exigencles of the hour.
Lester knew the uncertainty of the death
penalty awaiting the commission OF the
crime of murder. Not more secret and
were the operations of the Holy Vhemen
in the fourteenth, than those of the Wig
ilants in the ninteenth century. But he had
one ray of hope. He knew his pursuers
would use no measures in wrestling the
secret of his flight from his wife, incom-
patible with respect and honor: and how
ever much he felt in that hour he had
sighted, abused and insulted her he was
certain she would never betray him. If
he could but reach the thick cover of
young pines and stunted manzanita bushes
so cvergrown and undergrown with the
uncleared tanle of wild vines, he was safe ;
and might by some possibility yet escape,
and find his way into the thickly populat-
ed city, since telegraph wire and iron rail
were not in requisition in those early days
to arrest the flight of fugitives from JUS
tice.
Grace Lester closed the door after her
retreating husband, and with daring.
naughty expression in her dark eyes,
combining scorn and sense Of freedom,
waited. She knew the pursners would
come at once to the cabin. She knew every
corner and nook of the rickety old place
would be searched, and that she would
stand there, the only woman, in the
midst Of those exasperated, and it might
be, half drunken men. She took down a
derringer from small shelf over the fire.
place, and carefully examined it. She
had loaded it the day before-for she was
too much alone to be without such pro-
tector against tramps and vagabonds.
IF they attempt to intimidate me, will
use this.n she said, resolutely ''But no
they will not. If there is any aentiment
of honor or manliness among them my
helplessness will appeal to it,"
Rapidly these thoughts sped through
the brain of the girl-woman, for spite of
the lines in her face she was not yet nine
teen. as rapidly those outside neared the
clearing before the door.
.'Ho! there :" shouted the leader. mo
uSC W uluC, 4NCu hCotCi, tohC out
or Wen bring you; a half-hour will serve
to try, convict, and hang, you. with the
proofs of your guilt before us"
Grace opened the door, holding the dog
in leash with one hand, and with the other
raising to her face lantern that met and
reflected twenty other lanterns as they
glimmered like huge firehies through the
fog and DRILLING rain. Her voice was
steady and firm-not nerve quivered,
not muscle yielded. Her long black
hair, thrown back from her face, seemed
like somber mourning vail, and her eyes
retaining their expression Of hauter, kin
died and flashed like cimetars, striking
the men who looked upon them with sud,
den awe
Edward Lester is not here" She said
quietly.
"He has been, certainly, Mrs. Lester,
said one who seemed to be in command,
respectfully raising the broad-brimmed
felt hat which shielded him like an UNI
brella from the rain. 1--WE saw him run
this way We are sorry for you madam,
but you must not deny us. Lester has
committed wanton and dastardly MUIR
der. We have too often let him off be-
L. -.