The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-03-06
A Desperate Villains Fate.

A Desperate Villains Fate.
.sRiordan, are you ready2" 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
q tall and slender young man stepped
out
His face was very pale, he trembled
sisibly, and his whole appearance indica-
ted that he was greatly frightened.
No sooner had he descended from the
low veranda in front Of the house than
short but powerful built man, about forty
years of age, with most brutal express
sion of countenance, collared him.. and
with savage oath, exclaimed:
"Riordan, I ought to cut your throat,
sneaking scamp that you are"
"For Gods sake, Scribner, don't kill
me-" cried the young man, piteously.
"You did not show up to- night, Rlor-
DAM
II oversight myself, Scribner. was
acting in good faith toward you"
q, ssAre you ready to go now?'
eyes, Scribner."
''Then come on"
''That Internal Doctor, Rockway, can
send you and me to the gallows."
<s'Had we not better leave this part Of
the country instead Of"
- Instead of killing him?" exclaimed
Scribner, with scornful laugh. No
YOU white livered coward. amt going
to leave here. Knoxville and surround
ings are 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, it l
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 alive!'
=! 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 a very
sick man needs at once his professional
services. I shall stand close behind you.
3 and shall fire two pistol-shots at him
Then you fire, and in the darkness 1t will
be easy for us to escape. An hour after
ward we shall meet at the Abingdon
cross road. Now, Mr.. Riordan, ifyou are
- chicken-heared a. to finch, shall have
another bullet for YOU"
Rioraan faltered out that he was ready
to do Scribener's bidding, and they sci
- out for the house of Dr. Rockway.
''' The latter was u very wealthy man
: 1He1lived with large family in an ele
CANT manion about one mile from Knox
Vile. Notwithstanding his large fortune
he devoted himself with the utlnos
energy to the practice of his profession.
In times gone by he had been notice
Z for the cheerfulness Of his disposition
But about year ago great misfortun,
had befallen him and his family, ant
ever since he had been gloomy and mel
ancholy. His beautiful daughter Bella
girl Of sixteen, had been brutally out
ragged by an unknown ruffian upon return
ing one evening from neighbours house
Notwithstanding all efforts the perpetra
tors Of this dastardly crime had not BEEF
discovered.
He was, as we know from the lips o.
the villain Scribner, the young maj
Riorlan, who, though descended from
decent family, had become horse-thie
and a highway robber.
He had seen Bella once and had falle
in love with her. Under the influence {
liquor he had committed the infamou
outrage.
.g:s He knocked at DR.. Rockway's doc
A female voice, which he recognized ,
that of his beautiful victim asked frol
.-z within: -+s-a.. !:
t'5' "Who is there?"
VI: "Is DR.. Rockway IN? A very sic
~ ~. man needs his professional services
+. once" .-. .-.-.
"Where is hel' a.s.- r..
,sa.: .sCall the doctor at once"
81 The door opened, and female form
white night-dress appeared.
s2~ It was Bella. She was always marc
& at night with small pistol. .-..
For Gods sake, stand back, i" cried +
~ ordan to her. + ..- ..-...... .*sss.
49,, At the same moment Scribner, wi
>5 - stood behind Riordan, fired at the gi
s''-' but missed her. M ~ ., L. -.
sin. Miss Rockway, believing that Riord
M, had shot, fired at him. Her bullet emit
ed his left breast. .=
-rgf Scribner ran away at the top Of
L8 speed The doctor was at once in alar
He himself came with light and exa
4 ined the wound Of the PROSTATE a
! $50 grooming Riordan. s
"You have but few minuets to liv
he said to the Young man.