The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-01-13
A STRANGE STORY.

his way t0fOuRn q uArk, DrOaus louely
forest, in the western part OF New York.
He had ridden three miles since seeing
q human habitation, and he had two to
go before he could get sightot another.
He was descending hill into gloomy
looking valley, through which flowed a
shallow, but'sWift running stream; and
on reaching the water he permitted his
thirsty beast to stop and drink.
q Atthat moment nRu came out from
a cluster OF bushes into the. road, or
horse path. ON tue other side of the
stream. THIS. man was dressed like u
hunter, and carried rifle on his shOulL
der. In his appearances there was moth
ing that indicated hostility Or wicked
design. He was Of medium. size, COM
pActly built, with intellectual features
and certain air of gentiliGy-seeming
rather as one abroad from some settle
ment for days sport Than profess
sional hunter. All this the mounted
traveller carefully noted as he crossed
the stream to continue his journey, and
when they came together a. pleasant
salutatiOn was exchanged.
Slime weather for travelling, sirl" re.
piled the man with the gum.
"And for hunting, also, should sur
pose," smiled tile other Oh the horse.
the other, ''but l am not q good hunter
and can only show one bear for my days
work thus lar, and that is almost USE
less to me, because l have no means to
take it away. would willingly give a.
dollar for the use of horse like yours
for couple of hours. II you could
snare five minutes or SO would like
you to see the bear; 1t IL only back be-
mind the bushes, some two hundred
yards from here"
II will not only look at it," replied the
traveller, dismounting and fastening his
horse, "Dut it not too heavy, will take
1t along for you, seeing Fam going your
way"
The hunter thanked him in most cor
dial manner, and then, as ii TO make
himself agreeable, and keeping up the
conversation, inquired whore the other
was from, whiCher jOurneying, ETC., and
learned in reply that the latter resided
| in Albany, was merchant in good Dusl-
ness, and was travelling partly tor his
health and partly with a view for maxi
| ing an extensive land purchase for lu-
| ture speculation.
"Well, here we are," exclaimed the
! hunter, as the two emerged from the
dense thicket, through which they had
4
wood: "and now Pll show you as Ial
and as fine u beast as you ever saw.
| observe where point with my rife.
He stepped back some eight or ten
feet, deliberately raised the piece to his
eve aud pointed the muzzle directly al
| the head OF the traveller. There was a
fash and loud report, and the victim
lell like a log, his face covered wltn
| blood.
This might or might not have been the
| first crime committed by tue man with
the rife. But as the traveller fell the
rife slipped through his hands, and he
shook Violently from head to foot; yet
he ran to his victim and hurriedlJ
robbed him Of his purse, his pocket
book, a gold watch anu chain, some curl
| Gus seals, diamond breasLpin and d
diamond ring, which he fairly tore from
his finger. Then he dragged the body
iEto the thicket, picked up his rife
| plunged madly through the bushes to
| the road, mounted the travellers horse
and dashed away from the awful scene
| We must now suppose lapse oftwen-
ty years.
In the spring OF 1887 there lived in the
city of New York banker and million
aire, whom we shall call Stephen Ed
wards. He owned palatial mansion
spleudidly furnished, in the very hear
OF the town, and he and his wife were
among the leaders of the fashionabl,
world. They had beautiful daughter
Just turned 10 sweet sixteen, VINO wa,
about to be marlied TO d foreign noble
man, and great preparations were max
ing Ior the happy event.
| One day about this period, as the great
banker was conVersIDg with a gentle
man from another city, who called TO see
| him on business, he observed the latter
turn suddenly very pale and begin tc
tremble.
"My dear sir,'' he said, in his usua
tone of otf-hana sympathy, "what is The
matter? Are you imp
ga little faint, Sir, but nothing Il
cause alarm" replied the other, hur
riedly. l am subject to similar spells
| If you would be KIND enough to eXeus
me Tor ten minutes or SO, l will take {
short walk and return in better coudi
tion."
In ten minutes he did return, report
ing himself quite well, calmly proceeded
to finish his business with the banker
and then respectfully took his leave.
| 1t was perhaps week after this that
one night, the banker was sitting before
the fire in his library, when servant
came in and presented him u letter. He
took it with d yaWn, opened it in the
most indulent and Indifferent manner
possible; but had not read dozen line.
| before he rose up with start, turned
pale, and trembled so that the paper rat
tied. He finished the note-lor it was
rather a note than letter-worked one
hand nery0usly at his throat, and witt
the other clasped his forehead and tenn
ples. For minute or two he seemed tC
nave cnoked into calmness, by an irol
W. ii, some terrible emotions, ,anu he so fal
succeeded as to address the waiting
servant in an ordinary tone.
"James," he said, "Who gave you this
letterW
"a man, sir; he said he would wait fol
an answero
"rhen suppose he is waiting?'
"Yes, sIr."
Soon there was light tap at the door,
and the banker said come ill., in an or.
,linary tone.
The servant opened the door, ushered
in the stranger ana Immediately with
drew. The latter was verging on sixty,
of rough appearance and coarse aJtire
He wore an. old gray OYercoat, buttoned
to the throat, and pair OF green Cog
giles, and his whole dress was saturated
with rain.
"rake seat" said the banker, point,
ing to chair near the fire.
mo, thank you, Pill stand" was the
gruff reply. "You got my letter, and OF