River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-05-03

When il was brought, took out my
bag of money 10 pay for it. | noticed
directly the eager look that passed over
the strangers face as he saw H.
One of the countrymen. noticing the
expression, said 10 him, Mate, YOU
seem to take fancy to that money, May
be you'd like it,"
He replied in sullen manner, I"
would like many things that | cannot
GET"
However, L soon forgot the fellow in a
hearty laugh over we'll told tale. But
the time had quickly passed; so | rose TO
put on my coat and wrapper, saying as |
did so, 8 fear it will be late before |
reach ""
Ii was not much TO say but il gave the
clue to the direction | was going. bid
them all Goodnight" and was once
more in the darkness and the cold.
had now to descend a steep pathway,
which led into an old quarry, through
which had to pass. Some parts of the
path were only about four feet wide. On
the one side was solid rock; on the 9th
er precipice, fall down which would
end any mans troubles, as far as this
world is concerned.
Well, | was cropping my way down as
best could, when suddenly felt some
thing spring upon my shoulders, followed
By horrible sensation of strangling.
For moment or so | was stupefied;
but on raising my hand, felt a mans
arm pressed against nv throat. | knew
/ had no time to lose so | leaned back
ward a little This threw my assailant
III 4. I. Il, ho1
tainted: and then with the wild strength
of despair. bent suddenly forward, and
threw the fellow over my head. But be-
fore had fairly recovered, he was upon
me again, like tiger, and this time it
was hand-tO-hand struggle. We
wrestled for some time, till at last we fell
and my head was projecting over the pre-
cipice.
/ felt the hot blood rush to my head
a numbness seemed creeping over me,
but | shook it off, and determined to
have another struggle for my life.
As raised my head, the moon came
from behind cloud, and | recognized
nv would be assassin as the stranger at
the tavern.
And at the same moment | saw some
thing glistened in his hand, and | knew
he meant to stab me.
caught his arm as it descended, and
with nv other hand clutched his throat
He snatched his right arm away, and
quickly drew a knife across my hand that
was at his throat Though it cut me, my
struggle prevented it being deep
wound. Again that fretful knife was be-
ing brandished before my face, and more
than once I felt the cold steel touch my
neck; but each'time | succeeded in beat
ing it off: and all this time we were close
10 the edge of the path.
How we kept on the pathway at all is
a mystery to me.
Once in trying to stop blow, sliced
the keen blade in nv hand, infiicting
terrible wound; but succeeded in get
ting the knife from him, and | threw it
away as far as | could. Then came the
real struggle for life who should go over
the precipice.
1t was a hard time. We were very
equally matched, and both strong. Sew
eral times he kept me from going over,
because | 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 strength could muster, |
struck him upon the head with it.
He groaned and fell back insensible.
| must have tainted, too, for | found my
self living across him. with one hand still
at his throat.
As soon as my scattered senses re-
turned, tied his hands fast together, be
hind his back, with my scarf. and hur-
ried back to the tavern for assistance.
directed them where to go, for was too
weak with loss of blood TO accompany
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 remained for several weeks
down with brain fever.
afterwards appeared against my would
be murderer, and had the satisfaction of
knowing that / was safe from his attacks
in the future, for he was sentenced to
state prison for life.