The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1877-11-01
rats HY.-sTRANGER THAS
FICTfuN

follow he light touches Of early frost, q
mounted traveller was panniug bis way
through dark, broad, lonely fofes, in
sht western para 81 New York. he hsd
rode three miles since seeing human
hAbIAtou, and be had two to 90 before
be could get sight Of another Tie was
deseepding hill iaio gloomy booking
valley, through which flowed q shallow
bat swiis fuuplng stream aud on reach
ing the water be allowed bis thirsty beast
to stop aud drink
AT ihss moment msn came cat from
q cluster of bushes into the road, on horse
path, ou The other side OF the stream
This man was dressed ike hunter, and
carried rife on bis shoulder. In bis
appearance there was nothing TO indicate
hostility or wicked design. lie was Of
medium size, compactly bni't, with intel
lecluAi features, aud certain air Of gen
tillty-seeming as one abroad from some
country for days sport than a profes.
siouAl hunter All this the mounted
traveller carefully noted IS he crossed the
stream to continue bis journey and when
they came together pleasant salntation
was exchanged.
Fine weather for travelling, sir, re-
piled the man with the gun.
Aud for hunting, also, ! should sup
pose, smiled the other mAu on the horse.
Yes, there ia game enough, replied the
other, but ! am not a good hunter, and
can show only one bear for my days
work thus far, aud this Is almost useless
TO me, because have no means of taking
itawsy. would willingly give dollar
for the use Of a horse for couple Of
hours. II you could spare five minutes
or so | would like you TO see the bear; II
Ia only back behind the bushes, some two
hundred yards from here
will not only look at It, replied the
traveller, dismounting and fastening bis
horse, but IL IL is not too heavy will
take it along for you, seeing am going
your way.
The hunter thanked him in most cor
dial manner, aud then, as If to make him
self agreeable aud keep up the converse
tiou, inquired where the other was from,
whittier journeyipg, etc. and learned in
reply that the latter resided in Albany,
was merchant in good business, and
was travelling partly for his health, aud
partly with view for making an exten-
siye land purchase for future speculation.
Well, here we are, exclaimed the hunt.
or, as the two emerged from the dense
thicket through which they had forced
their way into the wood, and now will
show you as fine and fat bear as you
ever saw. Observe where point with
my rifle.
he stepped back some eight or ten
feet, deliberately raised the piece TO his
eye, and pointed the muzzle directly al
the head OF the traveller. There was a
fash and loud report, and the victim
fell like log, his face all blood.
This might or might not have been the
first crime committed by the man with
the rifle. But as the traveller fell the
rifle slipped through his hands, and he
shook violently from head TO foot; yet he
ran on to bis victim and hurriedly robbed
him of his purse, pocket book, gold
watch and chain, with some curious
seals, diamond breast pin and dia-
mond ring which lie fairly tore from his
finger. Then he dragged his body into
the thicket, picked up his rife, plunged
madly through the bushes 10 the road,
mounted the travellers horse, and dashed
away from The awll usccne.
We must now suppose lapse Of TWEEN
ty years.
In the spring of 1912, tere lived in
the city OF New York banker aud a
millionaire, whom we call Stephen Ed
wards. lie owned paIatiaI mansion,
splendidly furnished, in the very heart OF
the town, and he and his wife were
among the leaders Of the fashionable
world. They had beautiful daughter
just turned TO sweet sixteen, who was
About 10 be married TO foreign noble
man, aud great preparations were max
ing for the happy event.
One day about this period, as The great
banker was conversing with a gentleman
from another city, who called TO sec him
on business, he observed the latter turn
suddenly very pale and begin TO tremble.
My dear cir, be said, in bis usual tone
Of otI.band sympathy, What il the mat
terY Are you ill
A little faint, sir; nothing TO cause
alarm, replied the other, burriedly, | am
subject TO similar spells. II you would
be kind enough TO excuse me for ten min.
utes or so, | will take a short walk and
return in better condition.
In ten minutes be did return, report
ing himself quite well, calmly proceeded
( TO finish bis business with the banker,
and then respectfully took his leave.
1t was perhaps week after this that
one night, the banker was seated before
the fire In bis library, when a servant
came in and presented him letter. He
took il with yawn, opened Il In the
most indoleni aud indifferent manner
possible; but he had not read dozen
I words pefore be rose up with a start, and
trembied 30 that the paper ratified. Ht
Z finished the uole--for ii was rather note
+ than letter worked one hand nervous
I ly al bis throat, aud with tie other clasp
ed hls forehead and temples. For min
nle or two be seemed to be choking into
a