The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-09-18

Pooh ~ retorted Ralph, contemptu-
ously. C. would like to know what it
ispn
"Well, 1 have letter in my pocket
here
"Stopl" exclaimed Ralph, fiercely.-
keep your hand away from your pock-
ct. / understand your game-you have
pistol !"
No; on my honor. If had you
could shoot before could use it, think
you are quick enough for that"
suppose L am"
Well, will you allow me to take a
letter from my pocket or are you afraidp'
Well, do not think I'm much
afraid"
"Shall L take the letter from my
pocket?'
Yes, but no tricks; my eye is on
you"
Ro ert Craig, with the calmness of q
man merely transacting some ordinary
business, drew letter from his coat
pocket, and began deliberately to write
on one side of the envelope with pencil.
"What are you doing ?" demanded
Ralph, cycling him sharply.
am merely writing q secret here,
which, when you know it, will induce
you to change your mind"
What is it Why don't you tell it
to me ?"
" You'll understand that when you
hear me read it"
Some trick; but remember 1 am
watching YOU"
While Ralph More lost none of his
! fierceness, and did not waver in his
murderous purpose, it was evident that
his curiosity was aroused, and he watch
ed the young lawyer as he wrote rapidly
on the envelope by the light of the
moon.
Well, what strange thing have you
written ?" he asked sneering, as Robert
Craig finished.
will read it to you" replied Robert
Craig.
Then he held the envelope up, SO that
the moonlight fell full upon it, and read
as follows:
On WILSON'S BRIDGE, Near Upland. }
Thursday night, Dec. q, 1S-. !
If am found murdered, be it known
that Ralph More, of Upland, is the muir
| derer. He stands before me, while j
| write this, pointing rifle at me, and de-
clares that he will kill me, because he is
| jealous of me. l am unarmed.
ROBERT CRAIG,
Attorney-at-Law.
Ralph More uttered disdainful laugh.
+" Ha! hal What good will that scrib-
bling do youp" he said. " can destroy
it while you float down the river. You
don't suppose would go and deliver it
to the authorities for you-even if it is
your dying request. Ha ha hap
" You won't deliver it for mel" asked
Robert Craig, as calm as ever.
" Do you think I'm fool? Come,
your times about up!"
Won'tyou deliver this for me after
Pm dead 2"
No; of course not"
Then know who will.n
Who?" asked Ralph, puzzled by
this strange conduct.
" The river !" and Robert Craig sent
the letter whirling from the bridge, and
it floated away on the bosom of that
rapid current.
What does this mean ?''
:" 1t means, Mr.. Ralph More, that you
may now murder me just as soon as you
please. I am as well prepared to die as
you are, and have fully made up my
mind to die; but if I die, you do too.
The difference will be this: 1 die as a
martyr, and my name will be remem-
bered in this community to be honored
and loved while you go to the gallows,
criminal, a convict, covered with in
fanny, and are there strangled like a
beast, all who know you will, in years
to come, only remember you and speak
of you as the cowardly assassin who
shot down an unarmed man. Now
shoot, just as soon as you please, and
that letter floating down the river will
tell the tale on you, and you will be
hunted downl"
Robert Craig stood with his arms fold
ed, apparently as fearless of the threaten
ing weapon as though it had been q mul-
lein-stalk. Ralph More seemed some
what taken aback. He stood in silence
a moment, still covering his intended
victim, then said:
Nonsense Don't you suppose 1
can get that letter inside of an hour Y''