Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1880-05-12

son arose and stole ohl oi INC chpih'
Once 10 the calm, bright, almost holy
moonlight, he paused, looked well AZ
his weapons secured q strong cord
about his person, and with wonderful
rapidity travelled the wood'Soreened
path that led to the town,
The gaming houses were yet cpen
and In full blast, crowded with men
eager 10 RISK their little all upon tho
chance Of winning, and morally GER
tain TO lose. Around one table the
throng was greater than the others
aud the betting higher, II was pre-
sided over by a slpgularly handsome
and suaye man scarcely more than one
and twenty, Upon him johnson nv
eted his eyes, cleaning like those OF n
tiger when about to spring, though
keeping in the back ground And for
time he tremblcd so that one OF
the obsevant, kind-hcarted miners
thought him shaking from agae' aud
brought hm copious draueht OF
brandy,
The fiery draught steadied him. lie
became calm, obtained a perfect COM
mand of his nerves and temper, and
Satchcd from beacath his slouched
hat the progress Of the game until It's
conclusion. Nay more; he even
ioined the crowd at the bar, and drank
with them until about to separate.
But he never for a single instant per-
mitted the young Igamblcr TO escape
from his sight and when he found
himself alone with him approached
and whispered:
"Nly friend, You seem stranger in
this place, and as some Of the boys
have got an idea that you did not deal
far. your situation is dangerous one
when they have been drinking so
deeply. Tomorrow it might be all
right, but now You had better get out
of their way
The gambler eyed the man who
had thus addressed him sharply,
seemed satisfied he was some honest
miner, and after thanking him for the
warning, said:
"Can you not guide me to some
place of safety 1t would be fool
harcy to attempt to face mob
"Yes," was the reply. "Come with
me, and will put you beyond the
reach of violence from any man.
1t was a singularly-worded promise,
but the gambler gave no thought to
it. and followed johnson out into the
timber until he began to grow tired.
Then he paused, refused to 60 further
and asked:
"Where in the name of Heaven are
you taking me ?"
"To your grave, and the hell be-
yond? DO you not know me? lam
Miles Johnson, and yon--'
30, God?'
1t was more a groan of agony than
the mere utterance of words, and in-
stantly comprehending his peril, the
gambler drew pistol and fired at his
guide. But the bullet reached not its
intended mark. a blow from the
rifle barrel of johnson caused the arm
to drop helpless by his side, and be-
fore he had time to make any other
defence he was hurled to the ground,
bound and at the mercy OF the man
whose one idea was vengeance.
"Mercy!"
eyes, the mercy you showed to me
and mine-the one mercy Of a swift
death, though you deserve to die by
inches, and have life fade away drop
by drop, and each singing like a
thousand serpents Y
"Mercy! For the love Of God,
mercy!'
"Jf you know how to say prayer,
say it quickly, for, as there is Heav-
en- above us; before another five min
utes you shall be swinging from yon-
der tree, food tor buzzards y
90 God! am not fit to die"
Johnson turned away for an instant,
as if he could not bear the sight of
that plteously pleading face. The
next he was iron. He unwound the
rope he had brought with him from
around his waist, deity made moose
and slipped it around the neck of his
shuddering victim. Then he lifted
him as If child, carried him to the
tree he had selected, swung the end
of the fatal cord over limb, and
stood ready to raise the helpless man
from his feet, and send him, with sll
b;s s;,s unon his haad from tbia world