Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1876-08-05
Hazen, who came in from an adjoining
room at that moment

room at that moment
'.It is too late. They may be here in
few minutes. We must carry Mar
tin out of the house. Oh, Heavens!" she
exclaimed trembling from head to foot
81 hear their horses hoofs now; they
are not hundred yards away"
"Be calm," said Martin. Il will tell
you what to do, and do it quickly.
Mother you and Esther help me, and 1
will get out and lie under the bed. Then
arrange the pillow under the covers so
they may think am lying in the bed
then both of you get into the next room.
They will probably rush in and fire, and
l will crawl out with my revolver. Here
it is. Then they with their empty ri
files, will be at my mercy. Now leave
the candle burning on the mantle.
When rap three times on the wall come
inn ......
These instructions were ebeyed and as
the two women withdrew Esther said:
"You won't kill them if you can help
it,"
"No, 1 promise you that Quick now.
hear them!" ..... .......
The women withdrew and had just
closed the door behind them, when the
front door flew open and the Morgans
rushed in.
''Ha! ha" exclaimed the old man,
"Give him a chance this time"
Instantly the reports Of three rifles
rang out and the bullets perforated the
bed-clothes and the pillows, and the
Morgans rushed to the bedside to see if
their victim was dead, while bits of
plastering, loosened by the cencussion.
rained down from the ceiling.
Martin, although it caused him consid-
cradle pain, noiselessly dragged himself
out at the foot of the bed, which stood in
the corner of the room, and placed him
self IN low chair near the door, and
Just as he had attained this favorable
situation, the Morgans discovered the
trick that had been played upon them,
and found themselves confronted with a
large revolver in the hands of q very
cool and brave man.
Henry Morgan" said Martin, ''you
and your sons are at my mercy. Don't
move. You know how / handle this
revolver. Move but hairs breadth,
any of you, and fire to KILL"
They stood transfixed. They were
not towards, but they did not posses:
the cool moral courage of Martin, anG
the surprise to which they had been trea
ted completely unnamed them. Tc
complete their confusion, Martin gav'
the signal, and Mrs. Hazen and Esther
camein.
"Why. GIRL" exclaimed Henry Nor
gan, show in the"
'.Not a word," interrupted Martin
sternly. 81 will do the talking now
There are chairs near you; sit down; d.
you hear?" and he pointed the revolver a
each one in turn. with such rapidit
that he seemed to cover all at once.
s.Mr. Morgan" Martin proceeded, &c
have all your lives in my hand. On
families have been at enmity for genel
ations. You certainly have no reaso
2 to hate me. ] have only offended yo
!, by marrying Esther. This should rathe
: have made us good friends. You kille
/ my father, and have twice tried to mu
t der me. Now have you in my power
y but am not going to kill you. 1 al
n willing to forget and forgive the pas
! Although you are a revengsful mar
L Henry Morgan, I believe you have
generous nature. Now attend: If aft
h this you try to harm me 1 will not spal
II you; but if you will be reconciled, tai
u my hand and say so; 1 will trust you,f fl
h I know that you and your sons are mt
, who will not lie. Will you do it, or WI
J. you depart with the same old hatred
It your hearth"
d Henry Morgan had been sitting WI
It downcast eyes, his empty rifle pois'
upon one knee. He had trembled
u first. apparently with suppressed rag
# but now his better nature seemed
u possess him, and after moment
thoughtful silence he arose, left his ri
e. standing against the wall, walked aero
le the room, took Martin by the hand, al
o said:
@ "Hazen, you make me ashamed
Is myself. There's my hand. Let's forg
n- and forgive all round. Hereafter y
+. are my friend and son-in-law."
r. The young Morgans, catching q
1t same true spirit, shook hands with Ms
at tin, and between the brave youth a
ut these rough men there was reconcil
n ton that was earnest and abiding. Th
Mt had tried to murder him; now tn
would have killed q dozen men to {
IT. fend him Martin tossed his revolv
on the bed, for he knew he could safe
is do so. Rough men as the Morgans b
20 been all their lives, there was truth
Sc them-Martin knew it. And the fe
,e between the Morgans and the Haze
/, was at end forever and ever!