Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1877-09-19

as warning for me to be silent
pointed toward a dark corner OF
the room.
Crouched behind a chair, white
with terror, was my poor darling
with her hands covering her face
but | saw the wild CLEAN of her
eyes as she peered through her
fingers at the drunken wretches.
My blood boiled at the sight
iustinctively grasped my revol-
yer, when red glare shot upward
and overspread the sky-at that
moment Mike exclaimed:
"Ha! the signal-it's time to
move-I'll take the swag, Charley,
you take the girl" arising as he
spoke.
Daisy screamed and ran to-
ward the window-Dick whispered,
''Alike's my man, look sharp" We
fired simultaneously and rushed
forward without giving them time
to secure their weapons-I felt like
tiger as | clutched the villains
throat, and then a fierce struggle
began.
1t was a terrible one. The des-
perado held me with a grip of iron,
and being the stronger of the two,
would have Hoored me in an in
stant, but his right arm dropped
powerless by his side, for my shot
fortunately had winged him, thus
giving me momentary advantage,
which instantly improved by
putting bullet through his heart.
| remember seeing Dick hurl his
antagonist against the heavy oaken
sideboard, and then my head reeled
from the severe blows / had receiv-
ed, and everything around me
became confused and dark.
When | awoke to complete con-
sciousness the room was full of
people, the floor was scattered with
broken furniture and glass, the two
dead bodies had been removed,
and an angel face bent over mine.
Faithful Dick lay upon a mat
tress, breathing heavily. Gamb-
ling Charley, recognizing his friend,
fought all the more desperately,
and finally succeeded in stabbing
him.
The attending physician pro-
nounced the wonnd mortal. Alas
there was no hope for the poor
fellow.
arose and went to him, and as
l took his hand tenderly, he said,
in a weak voice:
"Daisy."
"Daisy is here, near you. Can ]
do anything for you, my faithful
Dick9' she inquired, with trem-
ulous voice.
81 amt sorry. l did it all for
you, Miss, don't cry" he said.
"Bury me in the nook by the
spring, where you got the violets
for me-"
His eyes closed for a moment; /;
then they opened slowly, and gave
one last waistful look at Daisy, and
then those cold grey eyes were
fixed forever, and the face | once
Thought so repulsive wore a
heavenly smile.
My darling fell upon my shoulder
and wept-wept silently for one
whose very name had so long been
a terror.
We buried him as he had desir-
ed, but first photographed the face
of the dead hero, who had so nobly
saved the life of one more precious
to me than all the world beside.
We fingered at his grave. and
strewed flowers upon it, until the air
was fragrant with summer blossoms,
and as we turned away, hand in
hand, were not ashamed to drop a
tear in memory of faithful Dick.
But the smiling JOY chased away
grief and regret, for a wedding
soon followed these eventful scenes,
at which | figured the happiest of
bridegrooms.
Dick was not altogether forgot
ten. Always when the spring
comes, with its buds and flowers,
we deck his picture, Daisy and l,
with bunch of flowers gathered
from the quiet nook where he lies,
The Aged Tramp.
The lady Of Cottage Hill house,
the nurse-girl and cook, held a
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