Smyrna times., 1877-03-28
mise eIIUW e OWS
Stranger than Fiction.

were bright with variegated hues which
follow the light touches of early frost. ;
mounted traveller was pursuing his wa,
through dark, broad, lonely forest, in thu
western part of New York. He had ridder
three miles since seeing human habita
ton, and he had two to 90 before he coulC
get sight of another He was descending
hill INTO gloomy looking valley, through
which flowed a shallow but swift runnin,
stream; and on reaching the water he per
mltted his thirsty beast to stop and drink
At that moment a man came out from .
cluster of bushes into the road, or horse
path on the other side of the stream. Thi
man was dressed like a hunter, and carried
a rifle on his shoulder. In his appearance
there was nothing to Indicate hostility or {
wicked design. He was of medium size
compactly built, with intellectual features
and certain air of gentility-seemine
rather as one abroad from settlement for a
days sport than professional hunter. All
this the mounted traveller carefully noted
as he crossed the stream to continue his
Journey, and when they came a pleasant
salution was exchanged.
Fine weather for travelling, sir" replied
the man with the gun.
"And for hunting, also, | should SUM-
pose smiled the other on the horse.
Yes, there is game enough" replied
the other, "but / am not good hunter
and can show only one bear for my days
work, thus far, and this is almost useless to
me, because | have no means of taking it
away. | would willingly give dollar for
the use OF horse like yours for a couple of
hours If you could spare five minutes or
SO | would like you to see the bear: it is
only back behind the bushes some two
hundred yards from here"
= will not only look at it," replied the
traveller, dismounting and fastening his
horse, "but if it is not too heavy | will take
1t along for you, seeing l am going your
way"
The hunter thanked him in most
cordial manner, and then, as if to make
himself agreeable and keep up the CONVEX.
satiOn, inquired where the other was from,
whittier Journeying, ETC.; and learned in
reply that the latter resided in Albany, was
merchant in good business, and was
travelling partly for his health and partly
with view for making an extensive land
purchase for future speculation.
w ell, here we are" exclaimed the
hunter, as the two emerged from the dense
thicket through which they had forced
their way into the wood, "and now l will
show you as fine and fat beast as you
ever saw. Observe where point with my
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 a fash
and loud report, and the victim fell like
log, his face covered with blood
This might not have been the first crime
committed by the mln with the rifle. But
as the traveller fell the rife slipped through
his hands, and he shook violently from
head to foot; yet he ran on to his victim
and hurriedly robbed him of his purse
pocketbook, gold watch and chain, some
curious seals, diamond breastpin and
diamond ring, which he fairly tore from
his finger Then he dragged his body
INTO the thicket, picked up his rife,
plunged madly through the bushes to the
road, mounted the travellers horse, and
dashed away from the awful scene.
we must now suppose lapse of twenty
years.
city OF New York banker and millionaire
whom we shall call Stephen Edwards. He
owned palatial mansion, splendidly
furnished, in the very heart of the town,
and he and his wife were among the leaders
OF the fashionable world. They had
beautiful daughter, just turned to sweet
sixteen, who was about to be married to a
foreign nObleman, and great preparations
We're making for the happy event.
One day about this period, as the great
CahKer was conversing with gentleman
from another city, who called to see him on
business, he observed the latter turn sud.
IDENTIFY very pale and begin to tremble.
Ny dear sir" said he, in his usual tone
OF oh-hand sympathy, 'what is the matter?
Are you ill?''
"a little faint sir, but nothing to cause
alarm" replied the other hurriedly. 81
am subject to similar spells. If you would
oe Kind enough to excuse me for ten
minutes or SO. will take a short walk and
return in better condition"
In ten minutes he did return reporting
himself quite well, calmly proceeded to
hnlsh his business with the banker, and
then respectfully took his leave.
1t was perhaps a week after this that,
one night, the banker was sitting before
the fire in his library, when the servant
came in and presented him letter He
took it with a yawn, opened it in the most
lndolent and Indifferent manner possible
but he had not read dozen words before
he rose up with start, turned pale, and
trembled SO that the paper ratified. He
hnIshed the note-for it was rather a note
than letter-worked one hand nervously
his forehead and temples. For minute
OF Two he seemed to be choking into calm
ness, by an iron will, some terrible emotion,
a. ne so far succeeded as to address the
waiting servant in an ordinary tone.
James," he said, ''who gave you this
an answer.m
Then suppose he is waiting?"
"Yes, sir"
Soon there was light tap at the door,
and the banker said "come in,' in an
ordinary tone.
The servant opened the door, ushered in
M me stranger and Immediately withdrew.
me latter was verging on sixty, of rough
appearance and coarse attire He wore an
o.a gray overcoat, buttoned to the throat,
Sld pair of green goggles, and his whole
"ress was saturated with rain.
Take seat" said the banker, pointing
!" chair near the fire.
NO, thank you; I'll stand," was the
srun reply. "You got my letter, and of
course you know my business" he added.
on allude to this I sunnose - said the