Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-02-22
STRANGER THAN FICTION.

:. In the autumn of 1917, while the
woods were bright with the variegated
hues which fellow the light touches of
early frost, q mountain traveller was
pursuing his way through dark broad,
lonely forest, Ia the western part of
New York. He had ridden three
miles since seeing q human hsbitatiUn,
and be had two to 90 before he could
get sight Of another. He was descend.
ing hin into q gloomy looking valley,
through which fiewed shallow, but
swift running stream; and on reaching
the water he permitted his thirsty
beast to stop and drink. /.
AT that moment man. game put
from q cluster Of bushes into the fOad,
or horse path, on the other side of the
stream. This man was dressed like q
hunter, and carried rifle on his shoul-
der. In his appearance there was
nothing that indicated hostility or
wicked design. He was of medium
slze, compactly built. with intellectual
features, and q certain air OF gentility
-something rather as one abroad from
some settlement for days sport than
q professional hunter. All this the
mounted traveller carefully noted as he
crossed the stream to continue his Jour
ney, and when they came together a
pleasant salutation was exchanged.
& Zine weather for travelling, sir, re-
piled the msn with the gun.
And for huating, also, l should sup
pose smiled the other, on the horse.
Yes, there Is game enough returned
the other, but am not a good hunter,
and can only show one bear for my
days work SO far, and that is almost
useless to me, because have no means
to take it away. | would willingly
pay dollar for the use of horse like
yours for a couple of hours. Ii you
could spare five minutes or SO would
Likely to see the bear, it Is only bsck
behind the bushes, some two hundred
yards from here
II will not only look at it, replied
the traveller, dismOunting and fasten-
ing his horse, but if not too heavy, I
will take 1t along for you, seeing am
going that way.
The hunter thanked him in most
cordial manner, and then, as If to make
himself agreeable and keeping up the
conversation, inquired where the other
was from, whittier journeying, etc; and
Learned in reply that the latter resided
in Albany, was a merchant in good bu-
si0ess, and was travelling partly for his
heath and partly with view of max
ing an extensive land purchases for fu
cure spe ulhtiGn.
ssWeii, here we are,' exclaimed the
hunter, as the two emerged from the
. de.es thicket, through which they
hal forced their way into the open
wood; and now l will show you as
fine and fat beast as you ever saw.
Observe where point with nay rifle
He stepped back some eight or ten
feet, deliberately raised the piece TO his
eye, and pointed the muZzle directly
at the head of the traveller. There was
y fash aud loud report, and the vic
tim felllike log his face covered with
blood.
This might or might not have been
the first crime cpmmitted blythe 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 to his victim and hur-
riedly robbed him of his purse, pocket
booE, gold watch and chain, some
curious seals, q diamond ring, which
he fsirIy tore from his finger. Then
ne dragged his body into the, thicket,
picked up his rife, and plunged madly
through the bushes to the road, mOun-
ted the travellers horse, and dashed
away from the awful scene.
We must now suppose q. lapse OF
twenty years.
! 10 the spring OF ls37. there lived in
the city of New York banker and
millionaire whom We shall call Stephen
Edwards. He owned a pallatial man
sion, splendidiy furnished, in the very
heart OF the tewn, aud he and his wife |
wsre among the leaders of the fashion,
able world. They had \ beautiful
daughter, Just turned to sweet sixteen,
Who was abont to be married to a for
eigu noblemsn,. and great Preparations
were making for the happy event.
Oas day about this period, as the
vreat banker was conversing with a
from another city, who call
81 to see him on business, he observed
Inc Isttsr to turn suddenly very pale,
md begin to tremble.
MY dear SIR he said, in his usual
one of off-hand sympathy, what Is
ne matter? Are You iIi?' -. :
a little faint. sir, but nothing to s
,atise alarm replied the other, hur. ,
Ioiiy. 81 Am subject to similar spells. G
4 you would be kind enough to excuse I
10 for ten minutel or 80, will take