Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-10-24
A True StOry..Stranger than Fiction.

In the autumn of 1917, while the woods
were bright with variegated hues which
follow the light touches of early frost, u
mounted trave'cr was pursuing his way
through dark, broad, lonely forest in the
western part of New York. He had rode
three miles since seeing Il human habita-
ton, and he had two to 90 before he could
get sight of another. lie was descending
u hill into gloomy looking valley, through
which flowed a shallow but swift running
stream; and on reaching the water he al
lowed his thirsty beast to stop and drink.
At that moment Il man came out from II
cluster of bushes into the road, or horse
path, on the other side of the stream.
This man was dressed like u hunter, and
carried rifle on his shoulder. In his APP
rearance there was nothing to indicate
hostility or wicked design. He was of
medium size, compactly built, with incl
lectua features, and II certain air of gen.
tility-seeming as one abroad from some
country for IL days sport than a profess
sional hunter. All this the mounted
traveller carefully noted us he crossed the
stream to continue his journey and when
they came together Il pleasant salutation
WAS exchanged.
Fine weather for travelling, sir" re-
piled the man with the gun.
And for hunting, also, | should sup
pose, smiled the other man on the horse
"Yes, there is game enough replied the
other, "h hut am not good hunter, and
can show only one bear for my days work
thus far, and this is almost useless to me,
because | have no mems Of taking it
away. l would willingly give dollar
for the use of horse for n couple of
hours. If you could spare five minutes
or 81 would like you TO see the bear; ii
is only buck behind the bushes, some two
hundred yards from here.'
will not only look at it." replied
the traveller dismounling and fastening
his horse, but if it is not too heavy | will
toke it along for you, seeing l am going
your way"
The hunter thanked him in most cor
dial manner, and then, us if to make him
self agreeable and keep up the conversa-
tion, inquired where the other was from,
whittier journeying, etc. and learned in
reply that the latter resided in Albany,
was merchant in good business, and was
travelling partly for his health, and partly
with view for making nm extensive
land purchase for future speculation.
Well here we are exclaimed the
hunter, asNhe two emerged from the dense
thicket through which they had forced
their way into the wool, " and now | will
show you as fine and fat II bear rs you
ever saw. Observe where | point with
my rifle"
lie stepped back some eight or ten feet,
deliberately raised the piece to his eye, and
pointed the muzAle directly at the head Of
the traveller There was a flash and a
loud report, and the victim fell like II log,
his face all blood.
This might or might not have been the
first crime committed by the man with the
rifle. But us the traveller fell the rifle
slipped thraugh his hands, and he shook
violently from head to foot; yet he ran or
to his victim and hurriedly robbed him o
his purse, pocket book, gold watcn and
chain, with some curious seals, Il diamond
breast pin and diamond ring which ht
fairly tore from his finger Then he drag
grd his body into the thicket, picked NJ
his rifle, plunged madly through the bush
es TO the road, mounted the travellers
horse, and dashed away from the awfu
scene.
We must now suppose lapse IF twen.
ty years. ,o
In the spring of 1S42. there lived in thl
city of New York II banker and IL million
aire, whom we call Stephen Edwards liz
owned palatial mansion, spIendidy fur
nished, in the very heart Of The town. ant
he and his wife were among the leaders
of the fashionable world. They had I
beautiful daughter. just turned 10 swee
sixteen, who was about to be married tC
a foreign nobleman, and great preparation;
were making for the happy event
One day about this period, rs the grca
banker was conversing with II gentleman
from another city, who called to see him
on business, he observed the latter turI
suddenly very pale and begin to tremble.
My dear sir" he said, in his Usual tom
of ff-hand sympathy, What is the mat
tero Are you lip"
A little faint, sir; nothing 10 raus
alarm" replied the other, hurriedlv,
am subject to similar spells If yol
would be kind enough to excuse me 70
ten minutes or SO, will take IL short wall
and return in better condition.
In ten minutes he did return, reportin,
himself quite well, calmly proceeded t
finish his business with the banker, an
then respectively took his leave.
It was perhaps week after this thai
one night, the banker was seated befor
| the fire in his library, when servant cam
in and presented him letter. lie took
with yawn, opened it in the most indc
, lent and Indifferent manner possible; br
he had not read IL dozen words before Il
rose up with start, and lrembed SO til;
! the paper ratified He finished tue note
for it was rather n note than Il letter