Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-30
A Terrible Encounter.

dav to business IN San Francisco. One
evening I was watching from the ferry
boat the lights of San Francisco receding
in the distance, and was absorbed in the
beauty of their dancing, flashing, many
colored rays. Long lanes of brilliant
lamps were coming into view, and then
giving place of others, all these shining
avenues of lights, from nv shifting point
of view, seeming to revolve upon COM
mon centre, while the thousand lights
upon the the hills were reflected in the
calm water of the bay. Gradually
feeling Of dread crept over me-a cur
tain seemed to fall over the lights, ex-
Guiding from my view all save one, a
bright red lamp upon the water front
the danger signal to my awakening ap-
prehensions.
turned suddenly, and saw him for
the first tlme-a tall, athletic man. his
face covered with a long black beard,
standing near and evidently watching
me. AS turned he stepped toward nae,
and noticed that we were alone upon
the afterdeck. Jumped away from the
rail, and hastily joined the crowd at the
bow of the boat. There laughed at my
foolish fears, and looked in vain for the
fellow who had alarmed me. l saw him
no more that night, and began to curse
my cowardice, for there was nothing at
allfemarksble in the circumstances that
we two were alone upon that part of the
deck, and there really was nothing
suspicious in the movement he made
toward nae. However, slept but little
that night and felt uneasy for several days
afterward. This apparently trivial incl
dent made so great an impression on my
mind that bought a revolver, carefully
loaded it, and carried it always with me.
For some weeks saw nothing of the
man, and although l had ceased to think
of him, Continued from habit to carry
the pistol.
One night had been working late in
my Office, and was hurrying down Cali.
tornia Street to take the last boat fol-
Oakland. When near the corner of Bat
terry, was seized as before with the same
feeling of terror, and instinctively my
hand was upon my revolver. At the corn
er met the some ack-bearded strang.
er, and recognized him Immediately. He
stopped full in front of me, and extend
ing his arm to bar the way, he said:
my friend, do you know that your life
is in danger On these streets at this houl
of the night9"
had with me- considerable sum o.
money that had been handed me in the
evening, and which in my hurry I had
forgotten to deposit in the safe.
"Yes," answered, as drew and pre-
sented my pistol, II know that, and an
prepared to defend it."
The instant he saw the pistol he fled VI
Battery Street and disappeared Had
raised an alarm should be detained, auc
would have missed the last boat, which
indeed, barely succeeded in catching
did not mention the occurrence t.
any one, as my business often obliged M
to remain in the city uRtll late in tn
evening, and if my family knew of it the,
would be constantly alarmed for my safe
ty.
Sometl ing told me had not seen tn
last of the man, and carefully examined
my pistol every morning. made eau
tious inquiries at the police office, bu
nothing was there known of such per
son as described. I became nervou
and excitable from constant apprehen
sion, and walked nowhere alone at night
Some months had passed, when on
day, feeling that ramble among tn
hills would do me good, l took an earl
boat to Saucelito, and strolled for sever
al hours through the canons among tn
hills. Again that nameless terror cam
upon me, and was hurrying throug
the woods along narrow path leadin
to the road, when sudden turn brough
me face to face with the tall unknown
For the first time saw his face distinct
ly. 1t was an intelligent countenanct
but there was something relentless in il
expression, and the eyes looked wild an
cruel. For moment stood tranfxe
with fear and amazement. He bent b
piercing eyes on me, and laughed no
low. hooking laugh. My blood Gu
died.
"Aha!' he exclaimed, had no idea {
taking life over here. But am alwa,
ready for business. Excuse me, SIR" /
continued, with atiandish smile, 'sdo yo
realize that you have not long to live2"
AS he spoke, he thrust his hand I'M
his breast pocket I saw that I had
mailman to deal with. When the trut
flashed upon me, recovered my coolne
and self position in moment. My on
chance for life lay in getting the fir
fire.
''If you want my money" said I,
the same time carrying my hand to n
pistol-pocket, "here it is"
He laughed again that cruel laugh.
II don's ask for money; all war
now is to secure your life."
heard something snap IN his peck,
Quick as thought l whipped out n
pistol and fired. He fell back dead, b
hand still clutching something in h
pocket. / withdrew his hand, and W
horrifed to find that it grasped, not
pistol, buta packet of papers
What had done2 Had I made
mistake? The danger OF my SITUATE
burst upon me. Were discovered up
the ground, would be apprehended al
charged with murder! Upon the impul
of the moment thrust the pistol into
hand and ran. I reached the road q
observed, and got 70 the boat in safety.
The night which followed was one
terrible anxiety and apprehension.
knew that the body must have been fou
before dark, as the path was much Us
by workmen ON their way home at mig
Morning and the newspaper came at Ia
tore open the paper, and this was
first paragraph that caught my eye:
"SUICIDE AT SAUCELITo. Yesterd
afternoon the body of M. p. NJ. Dod
was found in the woods at Saucelito.
had shot himself through the BRAIN, a
the pistol with which he committed
act was still firmly clutched in his ha