Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-07-20
LANCASTER. WISCONSIN. THURSDAY JULYN 1876.

eled, and as the panther sprang into
the air, ball sped on its fatal mis-
sion the monster fell at the feet OF
his intended victim, dead. Without
stopping to reload my rifle, hur-
ried to the spot. There, crouched
in the stunted shrubs wss a form
Of a man, his face darkened with
terror. | came nearer and cry es-
capped his lips. The man whose life
| had saved, was Leonard Towns nd!
He sprang to his feet and attempted
to draw a pistol. | brought my rifle
to level aud the weapon dropped
from his hand. Suddenly an awful
thought crossed my mind my rifle
was empty. He seemed to compre-
bend the truth, and instantly stopped
and picked ny the pistol. | rushed
forward and before the weapon could
be brought to bear, had grappled
him. The struggle was fierce he
having the advantage in a heavy
muscular body, and being much
younger. But there was madness in
my bbod and my muscles stood rigid
as STEEL upon my bones. Once /
thought was gone, but | arose and
the Struggle went on. There was a
false step, quick turn, and he was
down, my knee pressing upon his
breast l drew a revolver and GOV.
cred him with it. MERCY !! he
gaspel.
'Ay. plead for mercy, you dog.
Mercr was not in your heart when
youmurdered my wife and family.
Arie =
lie obeyed. who killed William
LECTION p
Harry Wharton your Harry!'
Liar |! No, no. he pleaded, 'he
did kill him when he was drunk, |
swear it,
Who made him drunk, villain /?
Yin did it, Who murdered my
Arthur, my whole family You, and
yolr life will pay the penalty. Plead
fol- mercy, l will grant it, but not to
yn-to the ,oorld, by sweeping so
bhck a villain from its face
/ thrust the pistols cold muzzle
against his forehead he started back
glsping, ooh God, have mercy
spare me for your-your Bessie's
slke, she loved me- Bessie, where
il Bessie, you villain p lie gazed
moment at the yawning tubes and
then replied i will not tell She
she is deadl Those were the last
words he ever uttered. / pressed
the trigger of my revolver; there was
sharp report and my vow was full
filed. / left the body for the vultures
and ravens to feed upon and went my
way. A month had passed when one
day / entered cabin among the
mountains. The room was occupied
by a woman who was raving with a
burning fever. | approached tho
couch and caught the words, ooh
father, father, forgive your poor
Bessie = Yes it was my poor lost
Bessie.
She seemed to recognize me in
her delirium for she raised her
shrunken arms toward me and cried
Father, Father = She became quiet
at my words of forgiveness but in one
short week / buried her behind that
low cabin. Townsend had died with
a lie on his lips /; but Bessie was soon
gone, my last, last, earthly link. FIT
teen years have passed since then,
and whenever | think or see the &C
cursed rum my soul becomes mad
dened with q fire | cannot quench.
Yes, for fifteen years have roamed
the wilds and am now come, soon to
Join my loved ones in Heaven
The old man ceased and his head
rested upon his bosom. One by one
we crept from the room and soon
stood in a group upon the deck be-
meath the soft light of the stars.
Boys, that drink at shutdown was
my last exclaimed Jack Lansing.
sAnd mine,' I answered grasping
his hand. Will and Lu answered
only by silent pressure of the hand.
Six months later | again visited
the village at the head of the lake.
Passing through the graveyard my
eye caught this inscription, it was the
name of the strange old man VINO
had told us the tragic story upon the
boat.
To the Memory of
ALFRED VIVA ToN,
Aged 81 years.
His story was told and he had
ininad his family above.