The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-11-26


I am merely writing a secret here, which
when you know what it Is viii induce YOU
to change your mind
''What is it Why don I YOU tell it 10 me 2''
''You viii understand that when YOU hear
me read it,"
Some trick; but remember am watch
ing you"
While Ralph Moore lost none of his fierce
ness, and did not waver in his murderous
purpose, it was evident that his curiosity
was aroused, and he watched the young law
yer closely as he wrote rapidly on the envel-
ope by the light Of the moon.
"Weu what strange things have YOU writ
ten2'' he asked sneeringly, as Robert Craig
finished
"Ill read it 20 you, replied Robert Craig
Then he held the envelope up, so that the
moonlight fell upon it, and read as follows
ON:WILsON's BRIDGE. GREEN RIVER. }
Thursday night, between 10 and II O'Clock,
December 81, 1870.
If am found murdered. bc it known that
Ralph Moore, of Jpland, is the murderer.-
He stands before me while I write this,
pointing a rifle at me, and declares that he
viii shoot me, because he is Jealous Of me.
/ am uuarmed.
RoBERT CRAIG, Attoney-at-Law.
Ralph Moore uttered a disdainful laugh.
'Ia La What good viii that scribblinR
do you ?' be said. Il can destroy il while
YOU float down the river You don't sup
pose I would 60 and deliver it TO the author
tiles FOR you-even if it is your dying request
-Iia ha ha 20
you won't deliver it for me o" asked
Robert Craig, calm as ever.
do yOu think I'm fool Come, your
time about up o."
Wont You deliver this for me after Tn
dead d2'
NO: of course not"
Then I know who will D."
Who" asked Ralph. puzzled by this
strange conduct
"The river. - and Robert Craig sent the
letter whirliuE from the bridge, and it float
ed away On the bosom Of the rapid current.
''What does that mean o."
1t means, Mr- Ralph Moore, that you may
now murder me just as soon as YOU please.
I'm Is well prepared TO die as You are, and
have fully made up my mind 20 die but if /
die you die too. The difference will be this
l die as martyr, and the man who viii be
remembered in this coutnUnitr as honored
and loved while You 60 90 the gaIlows, a
criminal, a convict covered with infamy,
ard are there strauglcd like a beast. and ell
who know you viii. in years TO come, only
remember you and speak of you rs the cow
ardly assassin who shot down an unarmed
man. Now shoot, lust Is soon as You please.
and That letter floating down the river viii
tell ON you, and you viii be hunted down ,''
Robert Craig stood with his arms FOLDED,
apparently as fearless Of the threatening
-s...u H- e. ..
Ralph Moore seemed somewhaJt8ken back.
He stood in silence a moment, stil covering
his intended victim, then said
Nonsense Don't YOU suppose can get
that letter inside Of an houre''
'IIow o. asked Robert Craig, very COM
placently.
81 could swim for ID 81 necessary"
''The water would chill you 10 death in ten
minutes. Nou knowyery well there is no boat
within ten miles, except at the nearest ferry.
and there the oars are locked mp, and could
not be had before morning. BY that time
the letter viii have fioated many miles away
and probably has been picked up and hand
ed TO the authorities. Oh. blaze away I'd
rather you would now, since / have made up
my mind 20 die aud have You hanged. 90
Ralph Moore stood for half a minute. with
the threatening rifle still at an aim, appar-
emily unable 10 make up his mind whether
10 risk the gallOws or not then he said
But if 1 spare You, and that letter is
found, what explanation can be made Of it o''
Il might say it was a joke. and in any
event if l should be stu found alive. it
would be easy to prove that you didn't XIII
me"
''Ralph Moore placed his rifle upon his
shoulder and walked away. muttering, with
an angry oath
I'm a fool. I ougnt 10 have done the
work without giving him a chance to play
such a lawyers trick %
Robert Craig stood upon the bridge. watch
ing the would-be assassin till De was out Of
sight, then once more gszed down upon the
clear, cold waters Of the river, and said aloud
4 am the luckiest man living No float
ing to night, thank YOU .'
The next day Ralph Moore abruptly start
ed on a trip TO California much % the surprise
Of the community, and be never returned to
Kentucky.
Robert CRAIG All, if l should give his
real name, the reader would know that it
was the life of a since famous man that was
saved that frosty night, years ago, by an ar
gumeut on the bridge