The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-03-07
A Desperate Villains Fate.

A Desperate Villains Fate.
''Riordan, arc you readys" shouted a
threatening male voice, about midnight,
in front of small and rather dilapida-
ted frame house, situated in the dense
wood extending south of Knoxville,
Ten.
The door of the house was opened, and
a tall and slender young man stepped
out.
His face was very pale, he trcmblcd
visibly, and his whole appearance indica-
ted that he was greatly frightened.
No sooner had he descended from the
low vcranda in front Of the house than a
short but powerful built man, about forty
years Of age, with most brutal express
sion of countenancc, collared him, and
with savage oath, exclaimed:
"Riordan, ought to cut your throat,
sneaking scamp that you are"
"For Gods sake, scribner, don't kill
mel" cried the young man, piteously.
"You did not show up to- night, Rior-
dam"
II oversight myself, scribncr. I was
acting in good faith toward you--'
ARE you ready TO go nOW!'
Eyes, Scribner."
"Thcn come on"
''That internal Doctor, Rockway, can
send you and me to the gallows."
Had we not better leave this part of
the country instead Of"
"Instead of killing him?' exclaimed
Scribner, with a scornful laugh. mo
you white-livered coward. I amt going
to leave here. Knoxville and surround
ings arc good enough for me-
but DR.. Rockway has large family"
pleaded the young man.
do you, fool, perhaps, expect that
= Rockway will make you his son-in-law?
You, who ravished his daughter Bella?"
cried scribner, sneeringly. "Why, if /
let him know that it was you who did
that, he would not only forgive me for
stealing his best six horses, but he would
collect all his neighbors, and they would
burn you alivc!'
Riordan shuddered, and made no reply.
Scribner added: mo; the old fellow
must die! You knock at his door, and
when he opens it tell him that very
sick man needs at once his professional
services. shall stand close behind you.
and shall fire two pistol-shots at him
Then you fire, and in the darkness it will
be easy for US to escape. An hour after
ward we shall meet at the Abingdon
cross-road. Now, Mr. Riordan, if you are
go chicken-heared as to finch, ] shall have
another bullet for YOU"
Riordan faltered out that he was ready
to do scribener's bidding, and they set
out for the house of DR.. Rockway.
The latter was Il very wealthy man.
He lived with large family in an ele-
CANT manion about one mile from Knox
vile. Notwithstanding his large fortune,
he devoted himself with the utmost
energy to the practice of his profession.
In times gone by he had been noted
for the chcerfulncss Of his disposition.
But about year ago great misfortune
had befallen him and his family, and
ever since he had been gloomy and mel
ancholy. His beautiful daughter Bella,
girl Of sixteen, had been brutality out
ragged by an unknown ruffian upon return
ing one evening from neighbours house.
Notwithstanding all efforts the pcrpetra
tors IF this dastardly crime had not been
discovered.
He was, as VIC know from the lips of
the villain Scribncr, the young man
Rior,lan, who, though descended from a
decent family, had become a horsc-thicf
and a highway robbcr.
He had seen Bella once and had fallen
in love with her. Under the influence OF
liquor he had committed the infamous
outrage.
He knocked at DR.. Rockway's door
A female voice, which he recognized as
that of his beautiful victim asked from
within:
"Who is therc?"
lis DR.. Rockway In? A very sick
man needs his professional services al
once"
"Where is he?"
Call the doctor at once"
The door opened, and female form in
white night dress appeared.
It was Bella. She was always marcd
at night with small pistol.
For Gods sake stand back" cried Ri.
ordan to her.
At the same moment Scribner, who
stood behind Riordan, fired at the girl
but missed her.
Miss Rockway, believing that Riordan
had shot, fred at him. Her bullet enter.
ed his left breast.
6cribner ran away at the top of his
speed. The doctor was at once in alarm
He himself came with Ii ght, and exam
ined the wound of the PROSTATE and
Pr grooming Riordan.
- "You have but few minuets to live. ,
4 he said to the young man.
" The latter than made clean breast OF
his crimes, and expired imploring Miss
Rockway:s forgiveness.
scribner was arrested next day, and
summarily hung. 49,,
There is nothing like good cbaracte,
when you want employment. Some
young men can always get work, no mat.