Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-09-07

often attended the theatre; we occasion.
ally stopped at the hotel played billiards,
encouraged bear fights. and had what we
called good time generally. So long as
We kept out OF trouble. were at the camp
! Tor parade, and put the soldiers through
their twice a.day drill, the colonel had no
reprools. IL would come our turn to go
to Laramie. to 90 to California, to be sent
hundreds of miles away from civilization.
and he knew that we should then have
mouoiony enough to make US as dignifed
IS Uncle Sam himself.
For two weeks after the order came,
not an officer visited the city after dark, =,
and only an occasional visit was made by
daylight. The rule then became exceed.
ingly irksome, and taking advantage of
the fact that new play was to be put on
the boards OF the theatre, Payson aud
sought and obtained the Colonel's per-
mission TO be absent until midnight. He
cautioned Us 10 be careful of our speech
and our company, aud warned US to go
well armed. The tramp down was a
mere nothing Tor our stout limbs. We
entered the city just after dark, it being
a jane evening. but had not proceeded
far when Payson insisted that we should
have glass OF wine. We stepped into
= saloon, called the boy, and were just
drinking, when we heard a succession OF
screams and shrieks. as Of some female
in distress.
80 that ain't nothingm remarked the
boy, noticing our looks OF surprise and
anxiety. ITS old Treadway giving one
OF his fifteen wives nogsiug;"
We heard shouts. oathS. blows, shrieks
and then heavy TALL. The boy took ii
all as q matter OF course. having often
heard the Mormon at work, but we were
considerably eXcited-PaySon so much SO
that lie wanted TO interfere.
"Icu thousand curses on the cursed
city and lis beastly population" he eX
claimed. after abandoning his idea OF
rushing to the rescue. Il wish that
uncle Sam would give the word to clean
i! out 10 morrow -
| was about to express a like feeling
when heard 4 son step behind me, and
turned in time to catch sight OF retreat.
iug form.
You'd better look sharp now ~ warn
ed The boy, who was deep one for his
years. That was The Dagger" who
came just in time to hear your speech,
and he will keep his eye on you from this
time out !"
And who is the loaler you call the
Dagger" inquired Payson. And why
should we look out for him ?"
To keep from being served in this
way " replied the boy, drawing his finger
across his throat "lIe is the leader Of
the 'AyongIng Angels, and he won't for
get YOU. We ain't Mormons ourselves,
bat we have TO play on them, and it you
take my advice, YOU won't get into any
dark corners to night
We had both cooled oil considerably
as we started for the street, for we had
reason tolknow that there was sense in
the lads warning. We talked the matter
over, agreed to keep close together. and
trusted that we were prepared to success
fully defend ourselves ii attacked.
Tho theatre was deusely crowded, and
We found it impossible tp obtain seats.
We had come to see the play, and SO
concluded TO stand up and make the best
OF it.
Ia about half an hour became so ab.
sorbod in the transactions OF the stage
that | did not notice when Payson left my
side and weut over to have confab with
an acquaintance. A number OF the
audience came between US. and so, when
at last looked around, my friend was
nowhere to be seen. was not anxious
but was yet looking this way and that,
when man came up TO me, looked
keenly into my face. and said:
Your friend has got into trouble
over on Hill Street, aud wants you to
come to HIM"
but who are
Never mind who | am," he replied,
"but come along as fast Il you can,
your friend is being murdered"
This was enough. remembered Pay
sons words in the saloon, the boys warn
ing, and l concluded that The Dagger"
had in some way decOyed my friend out
OF the theatre and attacked him.
| followed the unknown from the
building up the street, down another.
turn TO the left. and then l halted. We
were qt the entrance OF dark and lonely
street, no one was in sight, and began
TO have my suspicion that all was not
right.
Come on-come on; it's only one
more block !" urged the man, also stop
ping. At the same moment the cry oil
..help!n was shouted from down the
street. and we dashed forward on the
run.
We had not traversed more than half
block when | heard q movement as |
passed u doorway, and the next moment
was down on the walk. struggling TO
free myself from the grasp Of three men