The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1877-06-21
- . l q G L II ale
Mark BIakely's Vengeance.

1t was a gloomy, foggy afternoon
in November, 1841. The largest
forest extending almost the whole
length Of the high road between
Lynchburg and Somerville, Virgil
MIA, was leaAess, and presented a
most desolate aspect. For miles
not living being was seen. Only
now and then q few crows filed the
air with THAR dismal voices.
At tho bend in the road, about
midway between Lynchburg and
Somerville, there stood by the way
side rough-hown cross, The cross
had been erected in commemoration
of an horrible event which had ia
ken place on that spot many years
ago.
Two brothers, William and Frede.
rick Beyers, had returned from
Lynchburg in q state Of con nsiderabl
intoxication. On the road they fell
to quarreling. and at tho above
mentioned bend in the highway
they came to blows. Drawing their
knives, they began cutting at each
other until they both lay on the
ground, bleeding from m ortal
wounds.
Thus they were found by passers-
by groauing in their agony, but still
cursing each other with their dying
breath.
The two fratricides wero buried
on the spot of the horrible deed, and
wooden cross was erected over theii
last resting place.
Tho humble farmers Of the neigh
boring country never passed by that
spot without q shudder, and the
slsves of the few large tobacco plan
tations south of the forest believed
that the ghosts of the two brothers
haunted the spot, and nothing could
induce them to walk past the cross
after nightfall.
On the afternoon mentioned at
the beginning of this sketch, a young
man, dressed like the well-to-do
planters OF Virginia, was sitting be-
hind the cross.-He had q long ri
fe in his hands, and was peering
with intent suspense in the direc.
ton Of Lynchburg part of the road.
Ho was . tall, handsome man, but
on this occasion there was burning
q sombre 6re indicative Of o murder.
Gus purpose.
Il thought Laselle would have
been here an hour ago, he said to
himself.-Can it be that the mes
sage from Somerville has not reached
him I cannot believe it, for my
slave Solomon, who delivered it to
Laselle, never lied TO me yet. o,
my God, If I should have to wait
still longer for the fulfllment of
my oath of my revenge |! My poor
sister is dying at home in utter dis
pair-she, the idol OF our family, the
most beautiful girl in yirginia-and
now the victiem Of o married vii
lain's lust-dishonored forever and
ON the point Of giving birth to q
child, which will be an outcast on
Garth. All, Laselle,' he Kissed out
SAIuObb biOuu, MuAh oAuhoiy Will
take your life for what you have
done to his sister Vera ]!
He suddenly paused, The distant
noise Of o galloping horse fell on bis
car. An air Of triumph overspread
his features and made his face as ra>
disnt as that OF the prince Of dark
ness in the hour OF bis horrible tri.
umphs. He crouched down still
lower, and raised his rifle. The
horse approached at Q rapid rate.
Suddenly horseman came in view.
He was a short, stout-built man,
with pleasant features, o sun-burnt
face, and kindly eyes.
When he was within three feet of
the cross behind II fred-the horse,
man, who had been mortally hit in
the head, uttered q piercing cry, and
fell from his horse The latter, ter
ribly frightened, sped ON at o furious
rate. The man who had fred the
murderous shot rushed from his
place OF concealment In o moment
he was by the aide Of his victim.
The latter was still conscious. The
sn,vrdnnnr Oloakod unNn him In HE