Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-02-14

LII DIS own peculiar ulduHeI.
sat listening attentively for some
time, when my attention was drawn to
a man who had just entered the room.
He was shabbily dressed, though far
from being ragged. He appealed to us
for assistance
did not like his appearance alto
gether. He had one of those faces
that seem to inspire the beholder with
the idea that the owner is a william.
He had low brow that was contracted
by a continual frOwn; small gray,
cruel-looking eyes. and square jaw.
AS [ said before, [ did not like his
looks; but | thought to myself, "Well,
the fellow can't help his appearance"
So [ ordered a hot drink for him.
When it was brought, I took out my
bag of money to pay for it. I noticed
directly the eager look that passed over
the strangers face as he saw it.
One of the countrymen, noticing the
expression, said to him, Mate, you
seem to have taken a fancy to t1at
money! May be you'd like it?
He replied in sullen manner, !
would like many things that l cannot
get!"
However, I soon forgot the fellow in
hearty laugh over well-told tale.
But the time had quickly passed; SO [
rose to put on my coat and wrapper,
saying as did SO, Ifear it will be late
before I reach n"
1t was not much to say, but it gave
the clue to the direction I was going.
l bid them all Goodnight " and was
once more in the darkness and the
cold.
I had now to descend steep path
way, which led into an old quarry,
through which I had to pass. Some
parts Of the path were only about four
feet wide. On the one side was sulid
rock; on the other a precipice, q fall
down which would end any mans
troubles, as far as this world is concern
ed.
Well, [ was cropping my way down
as best | could, when suddenly felt
something spring upon my shoulders,
followed by a horrible sensation of
strangling.
For moment or SO I was stupefea;
but on raising my hand, 1 felt 8. mans
arm pressed against my throat. l
knew had no time to lose 50 I leaned
backward little. This threw my as
sailant off his guard-no doubt he
thought l had tainted; and then with
the wild strength of despair, bent sud-
denly forward, and threw the fellow
over my head. But, before l had fair
ly recovered, he was upon me again,
like tiger, and this time it was q
hand-to-hand struggle. We wrestled
for some time, till at last we fell, and
my head was projecting over the pre-
cipice.
I felt the hot blood rush to my head;
numbness seemed creeping over me,
but I shook it off, and determined to
have another struggle for my life.
AS raised my head, the moon came
from behind a cloud, and [ recognized
my would-be assassin as the stranger at
the tavern.
And at the same moment I saw
something gl;sten in his hand, and I
knew he meant to stab me.
| caught his arm as it descended, and
with my other hand clutched his
throat. He snatched his right arm
away, and quickly drew the knife
across my hand that was at his throat.
Though it cut me, my struggling pre-
vented it being deep wound. Again
that fearful knife was being brandish-
ed before my face, and more than once
[ felt the cold steel touch my neck; but
each time succeeded in beating it Oft;
and all this time we were close to the
edge of the path.
How we kept on the pathway at all
is mystery to me.
Once, in trying to stop blow, siez-
ed the keen blade in my hand, infict-
ing terrible wound; but I succeeded
in oetting the knife from him, and /
threw it away as far as I could, Then
came the real struggle for ife-who
should go over the precipice
1t was hard time. We were very
equally matched, and both strong.
Several times he kept me from going
over, because I held him so tightly
that he would have gone as well.
At last | got the better of him for an
instant; and throwing out my hand to
steady myself, [ gripped large, sharp
stone.
With all the strength I could muster,
struck him upon the head with it.
He groaned, and fell back insensible.
I must have tainted too, for l found
myself lying across him, with one hand
still at his throat.
As soon as my scattered senses re-
turned, tied his hands fast together,
behind his back, with my scarf, and
hurried back to the tavern for assist
ance. directed them where to 60, for
[ was too weak with loss of blood to &C
company them.
They found him just as had stated
and before two hours had elapsed he
was safe in goal.
did not spend Christmas with my
friends, for [ was put to bed at the tav-
ern, where l remained for several
weeks down with brain fever.
] afterwards appeared against my
would be murderer, and had the salts
faction of knowing that [ was safe
from his attacks in the future, for he
was sentenced to state prison for life.
Mr.. LANCASTER HODGES of Brown
vile, Me-, is a gentleman who has at