The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-12-21

| We reached the stable, and having
rubbed the sprained leg with-what
smelt strongly of turpentine, we entered
| the house.
In what seemed kitchen, although
used as a dining-room, for in the center
stood large table and several chairs,
an old woman, or to speak more COR
rectly, bag, was seated by the fire
cooking while beside her stood much
Iyounger one, but whose appearance was
equally repulsiVe. The boy had seated
himself on stool, and the man dashed
himself on chair which cracked be-
meath his weight. ...
Snow, stranger, make yourself at
home, we shall have supper presently
what will you drink, ehp .-..
| At that moment, slight movement Of
the boy caused me to look toward where
he sat. Ii we had never discovered the
power of electricity in being enabled to
transmit words through the land with
lightning speed certainly would have
been the first discoverer Of the most
wonderful branch OF science; for the
| look of that boy told me as plainly as
words could speak, ''do not drink"
l. There was something more i'll this
mute communication besides the simple
Warning-l looked around the room
the women, the man-all confirmed my
doubts; L was i'll robbers den.
The table was laid, and L counted
seven plates. There were but five, in.
cluding the boy and myself. Where
were the others?
| The fare was simple. Bad coffee,
coarse bread, Dutch cheese, and some
milk, made up the repast.
81 ask you, stranger, what will you
drink-Whisky or brandy"
Before l could answer he went to
cupboard, and seemed q long while in
preparing our drinks. To refuse, |
| knew would be taken as an insult, or
construed into suspicion-a doubt by
no means wished to convey.
"Whisky did you say"
Eyes, whisky"
Once more caught sight of the boy
| terror was depicted on every feature
This eyes were fixed on mine as If en-
treating, but he gave no other outward
signs. | took the glass.
"Here," SAID the ruttian, "its your good
HEALTH" and he gulped the horrld stuff
down; his head was thrown back, and
at that moment as the eyes OF the woman
turned from me, poured the contents
OF my glass down my breast. L felt it
4 burning as it worked its way, but was
saved. The effect this scene had upon
the boy was most alarming. lie gave
one scream and fell over his stool on to
the tlJor.
"What's the matter, Joe?"
"a nasty spider, sir-ugh-lt got on
my lace, slr."
s'Look here, Joe, these fits and starts
OF yours must be stopped, or I'll stop
you-do you hearW
GLOW do you like the whisky, sir; it
is rare stuf-like fre--is it not?'
IL must confess it burns like ire"
"HQ! ma! stranger-Aunt, and you.
Kate, get out of the room, While | nave a
talk with this man. Joe, eVaporaLe-
clear out"
Now, sir, let me tell you a secret, it
is useless TO keep it, you are dead
man."
"What do you mean?" exclaimed.
"Mean! l mean this; | know all about
you. nave been on your track. The
horse was injured by me in Hamilton's
stable. l knew he would break down
somewhere about here"
| "Well, SIR"
| "Well, you have large sum OF
money, which you are conveying TO the
Mississippi line, for what purpose l
know not; government, perhaps"
| "Weil, sIr."
"We1l, the game is up; the whisky
you drank was poisoned, and in ten
minutes you will be entirely helpless.
| Ha! hap
"ren minutes; look here, my ruffian
| friend, are you aware what can be done
i'll ten minutes? A battle was won in
less than five, and cities have been de-
stroyeu in an instant; but for your salts
faction ere tea minutes are up, let me
inform you that not one drop OF that vile
stuff went down my throat"
"Hell and tury! Man you die the
death OF cog, tnen."
AS he spoke, he made a dash at me,
but it was the last dash he was ever des-
tined TO make on earth; for, during the
violence Of this scene, had my hand on
a small pocket pistol, ball from which
met nim half way, and with one ii of
hate and fury, he went down 10 hell in
the sm Ike from its little tube.
AT tae sound of the pistol the two
women rusheH in, followed by Joe.
Gracious heaven! he has murdered
him."
AYE! and am ready for six more"
taking out my revolver. "Wnen | am
among murderers [ catch the fever, and
as it burns within me you had better le-
tire, else it may break out. Not you,
Joe, stop"
lhe two women rushed screaming
from the house, while Joe stood trem-
"Joe, you are a brave boy-come with
me to the stable quick, the is no time
10 lose."
"No, sir, for the others will be here
soon.
GAN! / thought So"
| When we reached the stable l found
my horse Ola the ground totally unable
to rise.
"Whats to be done, JoeW
"Det us walk, sir."
| us! will you go with me?"
| so, yes, tor l have been kept pris-
oner, and have seen such sights That
keep me awake all night"
"Who is that coming up the road?'
80, sir, it is his brother. We are dead
now, sure, for he is the worst"
| AS the man neared the house the two
| women rushed out and met MIN. BY
their gestculations, and his wild oaths
ana LOUD curses, they mad TOLD him all
that occurred. -
| "Let us rum cried Joe. ..... .
| "Run, Joe? that would be our ruin.
| Stay by me; never fear"
| With fury | newer before saw ex-
pressed on IL human face, the man rode
! up to where we stood.
You have murdered my brotherW