The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1876-09-12
Marx Blakely.

the higtl-ruad between Lynch burg and
SumeTvIile. Virginia. was leafle.s. and
presented a most desolste aspect. For
miles not living being was seen. Oaly
now and then few crows filed the
air with thcir di.mal voices.
At lend in the road about midway
between Lynchburg and Somerville,
there stood hy the wsyside a rolgh-
hewn cross. That cross had been erccscd
ia cnmmemoratiou Of horrible event
which hal taken place on that spot
many years ago.
Two brothers, William and Frederic
/ Bcyers, bal returned from Lynchburg
j ia state of considerable intoxication.
+ On the 70 ii they fell l., quarreling and
At the sboye mentioned beEd in the
higIiwey they came to blows Drawing
/ their knives they began cutting each
other. until they both lay OF the ground
+ bleeding from mortal wounds.
Thus they were found By passers-by
! groanimg in their agony. but still ours
/ ing each other with their dying breath
/ The two fratriciies were buried on
/ the spot Of the terrible deed aud "A
wooden cross was er ctej over their last
/ resting place.
1he humble farmers of the ncighbor-
/ ing country never passed by that spot
without a shudder, and the slaves Of the
/ few large tobacco plantations south Of
the forest believed that the ghosts Of
the two brothers haunted the spot, and
nothing could induce them 10 walk p sst
the cross after nightfall
On the afternoon mentioned al the
beginning of this sketch. a young man.
dressed like the well.,o-do planters OF
Virgins. was sitting bshi-d the cross.
He had "A long rifle in his hands, and
was pecring with intense suspense in
| the direction Of the Lynchburg part of
| the road. He was a tall and handsome
man, but OF this occasion there was an
expression in hi, countenance which
made it look almost hideous 1t was
livid. The lips were tightly compressed
and in the eyes there WAS burning a
somber fire, indicative Of a murderous
purpose.
81 thought Laselle wonld have been
| here an hour ago" he said to himself
l
| crville has not reached himy | cannot
believe il, for my slave Solomon, who
| delivered it % Laselle. never lied to
me yet. oh, my God. If l should have
10 wait still longer for the fultillment
Of my oath of revenge! My poor sister
is dying at home iii utter despair-she,
| the idol of our family. tho most beauti.
/ ful girl in Virginia and now the vic
! tim of married Villains lust-dis-
honored forever and ON the point Of
giving birth To a child which will be
| an ontcast on Garth All Laselle," he
hissed out almost aloud. Mark Blskely
will take your life for what you have
done TO his sister Vera
He suddenly paused. The distant
noise of galloping horse fell on his
ear. An air Of triumph overspread his
features aud made his face ns radiant rs
that Of the prince of darkness IN the
hour of his horrible triumphs lie
| crouched down still lower aud raised
his rifle. The horse approached at "a
| rapid rate Suddenly hursemau came
| in view. He was short, stout>built
man. with pleasant features. a suahurEt
face AMI kindly eyes.
| When be was within three feet of the
cross the man behind him fired the
horscman... had been mortally hit
IN the head, uttered piercing cry.
snd fell FROM his horse. The latter. ter
ibly frightened. sped IN a, rapid
/ ate The man aho ba'i fired the mur-
| der,us sllps rushed from hi, place of
ooncealmcn'. In moment he VAS by
| the side of his victim The latter was
still conscious. The murierer gloated
upon him IN his sgony with the glare
of tiger.
Las lie. shot you bccluse you Gu
tered the bedroo,n window Of my sister
Vera and outraged her
Il never did, Marx Blakcly," gasp d
the diving man.
"lou lie, you villain Did you rot
leave your velvet capin her rnoms'
My velve, cap"
Yes ii eonvicts you, you villain
" oh. God | lent !. one night To
Jack Sproules, aud he never brought il
back"
Blakely seemed thunicrstruck by
| this revelation
rs that trues" he asked. fxiug bis
eyes anxiously upsn those If the dying
man.
You-have- murd, red nv" re-
piled the latter in feeble voice oh.
my poor wife--my poor children
The death rattle was In his throat \
convulsivc shuddcr passed through bis
frame Ore more deep groau. and he
was dead
Mark Blakley stood. s?ecchless with
horror, hy the side ot his victim
lie has told the truth" be said at
last in husky voice Great God
what have dcne Murdered al inuo-
cent man. Jack Sproules - jus, the
villsn 10 Do such thing, ard | ave
no doub, that lie borrowed La>elle's
cap ON purpose 10 avert sasplcion from
himself aud make Laselle appear g. tire
guilty party WHIST shall 10 :"
For long time be still remained b.
side the corps". - prey "a the mot
agouixing thoughts
Al lSs, he aroused himself With a
savage cath be flung his rife far awsy
frum him. Then he walked rapidly
away in the direction of Lyuehburs.
An hour later be reached that place
and Immediately dire>ted his steps
towards the Old Dominion Hoase, AN
d-established tavern. where the young
! bloois of The neigheorh1sd ~0ald meet
F 70 svsgger. hrag. drink. gamble and
fight.