The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-06-15

brought up, and for whom he felt rude
but strong attachment, he prepared q
sort of cave In the rivers bank, furnish
ed 1t with supply of whiskey, and,
with his companion, turned in to pass
the winter, which was then closing
upon them. In this place he buried
himself, sometimes unseen for weeks,
his protege providing what else was
necessary beyond the whisky. AT
length attempts were used, on the part
of those in the fort, to withdraw Car
penter from Fink; foul insinuations
were made as to the nature of their con-
nection the youth was twitted with
being mere slave, &C., all which (Fink
heard of 1t in spite of his retirement)
served to breed distrust between the
two, and though they did not separate,
much of their cordiality ceased.
The winter wore away in this sullen
state of torpor; spring came with its
reviving influences, and to celebrate the
season, a supply of alcohol was procured
and number of his acquaintances from
the fort coming to Grouse out" Mike, a
desperate "frolic'' of course, ensued.
There were river yarns, and boatmen
songs, and "nigger break DOWNS" in
terspersed with wrestling matches,
jumping, laugh, and yell, the can circu-
lating freely, until Mike became some
what Modified.
"I tell you what it is, boys" he cried,
the forts skunk hole, and I'd rather
live with the bars than stay in it. Some
on yes been trying to part me and my
boy, that L love like my own cub-but
no matter. Maybe he's poisoned against
me; but, Carpenter, (striking the youth
heavily on the shoulder took you by
the hand when it had forgotten the
touch of fathers or a mother's-you
know me to be a man, and you amt
going to turn out dog !"
Whether 1t was that the eyouth fancied
something insulting in the manner of
the appeal, or not, we can't say; but it
was not responded to very warmly, and
a reproach followed from Mike. How
ever, they drank together, and the frolic
went on, until Mike, filling his can,
walked off some forty yards, placed it
upon his head, and called to Carpenter
to take his rifle.
The wild feat of shooting cans off each
others head was favorite one with
Mike - himself and ''boy" generally
winding up hard frolic with this saw
age, but deeply-meaning proof of con-
tinued confidence; as for risk, their
eagle eyes and iron nerves defied the
might of whisky. After their recent
alienation, doubly generous impulse,
without doubt, had induced Fink to
propose and subject himself to the test.
Carpenter had been drinking wildly,
and with boisterous laugh snatched up
his rifle. All present had seen the par
ties "shoot," and this desperate aim,
instead of alarming, was merely made a
jest.
Your grog is split, forever, Mikel"
"Kill the old varmint, young 'un |"
What'll his skin bring in st. LOU
is 2" &c.
Amid loud laugh, Carpenter raised
his piece-even the jester remarked that
he was unsteady-crack 1.-The can fell
a loud shout-but, instead of smile of
pleasure, dark frown fell upon the face
of Fink. He made no motion except to
clutch his rifle as though he would have
crushed 1t, and there he stood, gazing at
the youth strangely. Various shades of
passion crossed his features-surprise
rage, suspicion-but at length they COM
posed themselves into sad expression !;
the ball had grazed the top of his head,
cutting the scalp, and the thought of
treachery had set his heart on fire.
There was a loud call upon Mike to
know what he was waiting in which
Carpenter Joined, pointing to the can
upon his head and bidding him fire, if
he knew how.
Carpenter, my son." said the boat
man, s. 1 taught you to shoot differently
from that last shotl You've missed
once, but you won't again |"
He fired and his ball, crashing through
the forehead Of the youth, laid him a
corpse amid his, as suddenly hushed
companions t''n ri" aA
Time wore on-many at the fort spoke
darkly of the deed. Mike Fink had
never been known to miss his aim-he
had grown afraid Of Carpenter-he had
murdered him While this feeling was
rising against him, the unhappy boat
man lay in his cave, stunning both
sympathY and suatenanoe. He smoke to