Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-11-18

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the nipple, replaced it and continued
his search.
Curious where the other path is. If
I thought he had missed it I might
dive straight through the bush, and
run the risk Of losing myself and the
bird too; but that won't do. This here
looks like it; these two big tracks with
the bark peelef in a ring-yes, this
is the one. Now for making up for lost
time"
And he rose to his feet and darted
swiftly through the woods, his hand
placed on the butt of his pistol and his
eyes fixed on the vista before him.
The agent had pursued his way
amid the storm which had now some
what abated; and, as he calculated,
was about midway between the inn
where he had stopped and his destina
ton. He felt somewhat more assured
as the first half of the way was passed
without the happening of anything i'll,
and congratulated himself that three
miles more would end his journey.
He was passing large oak tree, which
he saw by a flash of lightning Il mo-
ment before marked the crossing of
two paths, when suddenly his horse
reared violently and refused to pro-
coed. He attempted to sOOthe and en-
courage him in vain; the next flash
which lighted up the scene showed
him, to his horror and dismay, the fig
ure Of man in front of his horse hold
ing him by the bride, while with his
right hand he presented pistol at his
own head.
mo words" said the man, give me
that satchel, and you may gore
fuse and your life isn'tworth minutes
time.
That face was the same that had
appeared to him twice before; that
voice the same that he had heard at
the inn
But you don't wish to rob me-" said
the agent. This money is neither
mine nor yours, and"
II tell you, no words! Whether it's
mine or not, I'm determined to have
it; so give it up quick, or you die with
out mercyn'
Never" said the faithful agent, II
will defend it with my life.r And he
drew his knife from his belt, but before
he could strike the robber, the latter
had discharged his pistol and the
agent fell heavily from his saddle, dead
ere he reached the ground
His horse snorted wildly as the re-
port of the pistol was heard, and break
| ing from the grasp of the murderer.
| fled wildly back toward the inn.
"That's bad" said the man, as he
gazed after him. [ meant to get away
on his back. And here-the fool forced
me to it he added, as he turned his
gaze upon the form of the dead agent
He turned the body over to examine
the features, but there was no life in
the look which rested on them
Dead as nail he uttered briefly
as he bent down to search the body
| But where was the valise?
He had seen it but a moment before
the dead man had perhaps thrown
it from him as he fell-a little search
would end it
The murderer beat about among the
bushes and underbrush, but the valise
could not be found. Where was it
when he saw it? OF sudden he re-
membered-it was strapped to the sad
die! And now his fearful crime had
been in vain-the horse had borne it
away with him and thus deprived him
of the fruits of his murder! Rage and
the baffled frenzy for gold overmaster-
deep curses at his luck, he hastily fol
lowed the horse, who had only just
disappeared in turn Of the path.
But he could not Overtake the
frightened animal. Nevertheless he
pursued his way along the path until
he had cleared the woods, and then
sat down to rest his tired limbs He
was almost maddened by his failure,
and in his desperation, he would have
followed the horse still further, but
that he feared to meet the men of the
inn. Swallowing his rage as best he
might, he turned and wal2 ed leisurely
back towards the scene of his crime;
intent only on burying the body, and
making his way as speedily as possible
from the locality. He had traversed
perhaps half of the distance when his
ear caught the sound of distant shouts.
Intent upon escaping before he should
be seen by those whom he knew had
become alarmed by the return of the
agents horse, he started upon a feet
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a speedy retribution; he. reached the
place of the murder only to fall into
the hands of party which had come
by shorter path in their scouting for
the agent. Fiercely he struggled for a
while, but his struggles were all in
vain; he was Overpowered and securely
| held, and N a few moments the other
party came up. To their consterna-
ton they beheld the body of the agent
lying upon the ground, the water all
around turned red by his blood. The
life of the murderer was freely de-
manded by the excited crowd. They
were already dragging him toward the
oak tree when one of the men shouted
'Stay! hold moment! | think I
know him"
He advanced to him rs he spoke,
and after examining his face, said. ut
is Bill Larkin,"
4 general shout Of surprise and hor-
ror went up at this announcement.
William Larkin had been born and
reared in the neighborhood, and after
a number of villianous acts had fled
ten years before, after committing a
robbery in this very forest. And now
he had returned to the scenes of his
youth only to end his career by a felon's
DEATH
Forest justice is speedy. The muir
derer was in the hands of the back
woodsmen, and before them lay the
fearful evidence of his guilt. 4 rope