The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1880-09-19
Peek's Wager" and some very quaint
Scotch Stories with illustrations. The
other Editorial Departments maintain the
usual high standard Of excellence.
A TEXAS TRAGEDY.
BY AN OLD CONTRIBUTION.


happened to others; why not to us?
AS a general thing we pursued our way
In company, but occasionally we would
separate for day or two, agreeing on a
place of rendezvous at which whoever ar
rived first would wait for the other. Our
explorations were thus given wider scope,
at less expense of time than would have
been possible had we remained constantly
together
We had hardly crossed the Texas bound
airy when we began to hear of Reuben
Duckwall. Like other travellers through
that sparsely settled region, we found 1t
prudent to keep ourselves informed, from
time to time, Of the various places ahead at
which food and shelter might be found
To the answers to our inquiries one piece
OF advice was invariably added;
stop at Dnckwall's tavern, whatever
time We git there. Old Reubs the chap to
do the squar' thing by an beast, an besides
he's man Of eddycation."
Come, said Harvey Knight, as we took
the saddle one morning. push on straight
to Duckwall's, keeping an eye on the face
of the country meanwhile, while take a
more circuitous route with view to in
specting few Of the prophetic towns and
cities so plentifully scattered hereabouts.
"And be sure" said Harvey as we turned
our separate ways, "to put the backwoods
Boniface on his mettle by asppising him of
what connoisseur your expected friend is
in the culinory arts"
The sun was setting as | drew rein at
Reuben Dukwalls door. There was an air
of hospitality and comfort about the huge
log cabin in no way belied by tie hearty
welcome of its owner, as he babe me alight
and enter, while he took charge of my
horse.
The sound of voices within, in angry dis
cussion, ceased as | crossed the threshold.
The sole inmates of the room were a
young man and young woman, of whom
the former was some years the senior,
you will repent this" was the speech,
in the male voice, which appearance inter
rupted.
The two facing each other with flushed
cheeks; and it was some moments before |
was favored with the notice of either At
length the young man, the scowl upon his
face added nothing to lis gainliness, IN
graciously offered me seat, His cOmpan-
ion, with an abashed look left the apart
ment without speaking.
The silence renamed unbroken TIL tho |
hosts return. Mr.. Duckwall was not the
man to leave the ice long unbroken. In less
than five minutes we were in unreserved cOu- |
versation.
When | informed him of my friends an
ticipated arrival during the night he look
ed good deal concerned
How soon do you expect himl' he in
CURED
Between midnight and morning an
swered. I'VE started together, but his road
was much longer than nine
HAS he much about him in the way Of
valuablesln
"A gold watch, and a considerable sum
OF money" l replied.
The landlords look Of concern deepen
ed.
is there any danger of robbers'" l ask
ed.
~ think--at least hope-not, at pre-
sent said Mr.. Duckwall. There was 2
desperate gang heleabouts, but the regula-
tors took them in hand, and those who es-
capped have kept shy ever since"
lhe young man, who sat moody and sui
len during the conversation, | learned was
Mr.. Duckwalls son and the girl who had
disappeared at my arrival, but who reap
peared at supper-time, was given TO un-
derstand, later on, was the only survivor of |
family of emlgrants slain by the savage S
the helpless babe having been left, with |
tiendish cruelty, to perish in the wider
ness fate from which it was rescued by
kindly.hearted hunter, who found and carri-
ed to his home the little orphan, whom he
reared with all a parents tenderness
This, as l learned it in the course of the
evening, was the story of Ellen Vail, who, |
her protector being dead, had found en-
ployment IN the house of Reuben Duck
wall.
The fatigue Of the days journey caused |
me to retire early, and the sleep into which
fell was undisturbed till morning.
The first impression on my waking senses
came from the sound of voices beneath my
window, which readily distinguished as
the same my entrance had interrupted on
the previous evening.
mo, Tom, can never be your wife"
said the girl, in low, distinct tones.
"And why nots' was the passionate re-
Spouse. "Will not that tempt youl See
there is money to dress you like lady,
and it's at your service"
"Were it Millions honestly got, and not
as fear this is, the fruits of crime, it could
never lure me into marrying a man do
not love-"
"Be careful how you brave my anger"
returned the other with Unsurpassed rage.
81 have already felt its violence" the
girl answered. II shall never forget the
blow you once gave me in fit of ungovern.
ed passion. But not even the terror of
your fury can influence me in this"
A fierce imprecation in reply ended the
dialogue
My first inquiry, after rising, was for my
friend; and it was with much surprise and
alarm that l learned he had not vet ar
lived.
In the midst of my anxiety band of