The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-02-02
STR Il Nc Eft THAN FICTION

In the autumn of 1917, while the woods
were bright with the variegated hues which
follow the light touches OF fearly frost, "A
mounted traveller was pursuing his way
through dark, broad, lonely forest, in the
western part of New York. He had rid
den three miles slice seeing human haLi-
tation, aud he had two to o. lefore lie
could get sight Of another He was de-
scend'nS Hill into a gloomy looking val
ley, through VIII ich flowed a sha low, but
swift running stream; and on reaching tue
water lac permitted his thirsty beast to step
aUd drink.
At that moment a man cane out from a
cluster OF bushes into the road, or horse
path, on The other side of the stream. This
man was dressed like a hunter, and carried
a rifle ON his shoulder. In his appearance
there was nothing that indicated hostility
or wicked design. lie was of medium
size, compactIy built, with in.ellectuaI
features, aud certain air Of gentiIity-
seeming rather as one abroad from some
settlement FOR days sport than a pro-
fesSiOnal hunter. All this the mCuu;e ed
traveller carefully noted as he crossed the
stream to continue his journey, and when
they came together a pleasant sa!utation
was exchanged.
x iiIe wc5;the! for travelling, sir, replied
the man with the gun.
''And for hunting, also, I should sup
pose,' smiled the other on the horse.
Yes, there is game enough" returned
the other, but ] am not good hunter,
aud can only show one bear for my days
work SO far, and that is almost useless to
me, because | have 10 means to take il
away. j would willingly pay a dollar for
the use Of a hoIse like yours for couple
of houIs. Ii you could spare five minutes
or So | would like you to see the bear, it is
only back behind the bushes, some two
bundled yards from bere.''
Il will not only look at it," replied the
traveller, dsmounting and fastening his
horse, "but if no: too heavy, | viii take it
along for you, seeing l going your
way
The hunter thanked him in most
cordial manner, and then, as If to make
himself agreeable and keep mp the con-
versatiOn, inquired where the other was
from, whiiher journeying, etc. and learned
in reply that the latter resided in Albany,
was Il merchant in good business, and was
travelling partly for his health and partly
with "A view to making an extensive laud
purchase for future speculation.
''Wel, here we are" exclaimed the
hunter, as the two emerged from the dense
thIckct, through which they had slowly
forced their way into the open wood ''and
now | will show you rs fl no and fat a beast
as you ever saw. Observe where | point
with my rifle"
lie stepped back some eight or ten feet.
deliberately raised the piece to his eye, aud
pointed The muzzle directly at the head Of
the traveller. There was n fash and u loud
report, and the victim fell like a log, his
face covered with blood.
This might or might not have been the
first CT ime committed 10y the man With the
rifle. Bnt as the traveller fell the rifle
slipped through his hands, and he shock
violently from head to foot; yet he ran to
his victim aud huriedly robbed him Of his
purse, pocket book, gold watch and
chain, some curious seals, a diamond breast
pin, and diamond ring, which he fairly
tore from his finger. Then lie dragged bis
body into The thicket, picked up his rife,
plunged madly through .he bushes to the
road mounted the travellers horse, and
dashed away from the awful scene.
We must now suppose lapse of twenty
years.
In the spring Of 1887 there lived in the
CITY of New York Il banker and millionaire
whom we shall call Stephen Edwards He
owned a palatial mansion, splendidly furn-
ished, in the very heart of the town, and
he and his wife were among the leaders of
the fashionable world. They had a beauti-
full daughter just turned to sweet sixteen,
who was about to be married to foreign
nobleman, aud great preparations were
making for the happy event.
One day about this period, as the great
banker was conversing with gentleman
from another city, who called to see him
on business, he observed the latter turn
suddenly very pale and begin TO tremble.