The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1880-05-21


Very proud and fond was Martin of his
young wife, She was to him an all-in-all
of life, and he worked most faithfully for
the means that would enable him to
turn his back upon the Pacific slopes
and purchase a home where he could
surround her with luxuries. Early and
late he toiled, and she saved his earn
ings. Day by day their store increased,
and both were happy in their prospects
for the future. She always walked with
him part of the way to the little stream
where he labored amid the shining sand,
always met him on his return with a
smile and kiss; and, when absent, she,
800, earned money with her needle, and
the days of plenty and happiness ap-
peared to be swiftly drawing near.
But one morning the husband fingered
longer than usual. Something seemed
to stay his footsteps, and he babe his
wife good-by again and again. It might
have been that the little cluster of cabins
would be more than usually deserted
that day-that, save his wife, no human
being would remain. A new fume was
to be built; all were interested, and
every hand was needed. This being the
case, Nelly Martin would be entirely
alone and, as he was turning away for
the last time, he paused and asked her
if she was not afraid to remain, and if
she had better not go with him.
"What should I be afraid of, dar-
ing?" she questioned. '"There is moth
ing can think of. No, I have no fears;
and, besides, [ have plenty to do. Do
you think would spend my time in
idleness when you are working so hard ?
What would you do for supper when you
came back tired, wet and hungry? No,
it would not do for me to CO."
But if anything should happen" he
continued, "fre off the revolver three
times in succession, and you will soon
have plenty of help. will tell all the
boys that is signal-you are in danger"
"What could happen?"
It was a question he could not answer,
and, beginning to grow ashamed of his
causeless fears, he kissed her again, and
soon was out of sight. But all through
the day he often paused at his work and
listened. Once he was certain he heard
the report of pistol, but it was single
evening drew near, he fastened home
ward with a heart as light as his step,
satisfied that his wife was safe. Yet, as
he came in sight of the cabin, he could
see no smoke issuing from it, and in
stantly all his fears returned with ten
fold force. His pace was quickened to
run, and very soon he stood breathless
in the door. His call was unanswered.
He repeated it again and again in vain !;
then he glanced wildly around. There
was nothing but cold ashes in the fire.
place. The cache where his gold dust
had been concealed was torn open, and
the floor of the cabin was sprinkled with
blood.
In an instant he had given the alarm.
It spread like prairie fire through the
group of cabins, and the miners gath
cred. Among the first that came was
the old scout, Kit Oliver, and his keen
eyes drunk in everything at glance
saw what had happened just as plainly
as if he had been present.
"Thar has been foul deed done,
boys" he said, as he drew the sleeve Of
his hunting shirt across his eyes to wipe
away the swiftly gathering moisture !;
land thar has been sharp struggle.
You kin see the marks just as plainly as
yer kin the print of Their buffers huff.
And it hain't been long, neither"
"What in the name of Heaven can
be done ?" asked the nearly-distracted
husband.
"That am hard to tell"
He knelt down and examined the
ground carefully for few moments, and
when he arose his face was black with
passion, and he continued
cit warn't no Injun, as I fust sur
missed, but a white man, that has got
Their worst kind of blood in his veins"
"Who could it have been?"
"One," and the hand of the old
mountaineer clutched the handle of his
revolver savagely, "with whom I've got
an ercount ter settle. Do yer see this
scar on my throat and this bullet-hole
in my shirt, boys? Wal, they am his
marks.
Who dO you mean q
Joaquin, the mountain robber He
is more treacherous than er rattlesnake,
savage than er painter, and cunning
than er fox, and desperate than er wound
ed grizzly. know ther country we'll,
and whereabouts his trail will be likely
ter lead. Six Of yer get yer rifles and
revolvers and foller me. Their rest, as
[ have said, must take keer of poor
Milt."
The name of Joaquin was at that time
a terror upon the Pacific shore, and from
his Gas no one doubted) having carried
away the beautiful young wife, theworst
was to be augured. But strong, daring,
and active men were soon upon the trail,
and would have oyertaken him had not
darkness forbidden. AS it was, they
penetrated to a considerable distance
into the Businesses of the mountain, and
with sorrowful hearts waited for the re-
turning light, seated round little camp
fire, discussing the probable fate Of the
one who had grown so strangely into
their love