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


TO become part of the great Ohis.
1t was as late as ten O'Clock when Robert
Craig, young lawyer, came upon bridge
that spanned branch Of the Green River,
in Central Kentucky. He was afoot and he
walked with very light step, because his
heart was light. be had been successful in
the most important suit he had ever been en-
/ gagged in. He had pleaded his own case,
and the court that had pronounced judgment
in his favor was simply Miss Mary Lane, the
. handsomest girl in the neighbOrhood, and rs
good as she was beautiful. She had proInis-
ed to be his wife
But Robert Craig was destined 10 plead
another case that very night, and before a
less lenient court. He had no warning Of
this, however, when he stepped upon the
bridge and walked ont over the clear waters,
mUtteTing congratulations TO himself
Yes, I'm the luckicst man liYingr' le
sOliloquized, as lie reached the middle Of the
bridge.
The bridge was not a covered one and he
stopped to lean over the railing at one side,
and looked down into the sparkling waters
that quivered in the bright moonlight
Yes, I'm the Iuckiest man Hying.' he
|
full minute gazing upon the flowing river
Don't be too sure Of that said a voice
behind him.
Robert Craig turned with a start, and saw
a tall man standing at the opposite side of
the bridge, leveling a rifle upon him. He
seemed very cool and deliberate in his man
ner, and he spoke in q tone that was hard
and icy.
At the first glance, Robert Craig saw his
danger, for he recognized in the intruder
Ralph Moore who, a. he was well aware.
regarded him with the bitterest hatred. for
the reason that both had been suitors for the
hand OF Mary Lane, and Ralph had. Of
. course, been rejected. He was noted as a
man Of desperate character-althouch be-
longing TO good family-and he was more
over known to be the best marksman i'm the
community. Robert Craig thought Of these
facts, as he found himself standing there in
the cold moonlight with that unerring rifle
pointed at his breast
he himself was unarmed there was no
hope for succor on that lonely bridge at that
time OF night; retreat was impossible as well
as unmanly; resistance was equally out Of
the question. His enemy meant deliberate
iy to take his life, and be had the power 10
do il. Robert Craig realized all this. and
felt that certain death awaited him. The
terrible eNiEcncy-tne very .hopelessuess Of
the case made him calm.
Ralph Moore, 20 he said, in a voice that
betrayed no emotion, 'slave YOU come here
TO waylay and murder me 2''
Robert Craig" replied Ralrh. coldlv.
still keeping the deadly rife al an aim. did
ID
live 2''
His finger was onthe trigger, and the fierce
look on his face denoted that the life be held
in his hands was not worth much now
But surely, " said Robert Craig, You are
not wicked enough to commit such a crime
as L see you contemplate? l am unarmed
and at your mercy. While do lot like YOU.
Ralph, never though you capable Of a COW
ardly act. 1t would be cowardly to shoot
down an unarmed man, and you know it
You are good markSman, but am willing
to fight you fairly, if you think that mortal
enmity must necessarily exist between US.
'Bosh Do you think I am fool ? Do
you think l can 5e cajoled by your smooth
talk No. I've got you, Robert Craig, and
you shall never live to enjoy your triumph
over me. You are now within just tye min
utes of your death. l viii grant YOU that
time TO pray-if you want 10. Nothing can
save you? There is not q soul within half a
mi!e to hear you if you should yell You'll
be floating down the river miles below this
before morning"
But what DO you say TO being hanged for
MURDER
There is no witness near. 1t can never
be proved against ne"
Robert Craig was silent. His enemy, who
plainly meant murder, stood Ike a statue.
with TIE rife still pointing at his head. and
watching him like cat. There was an ex-
preston Of savage exultattou in his face.
plainly visible in the moonlight and Robert
Craig saw that it was idle u think OF asking
for mercy.
Various ideas went yhiriing through his
brain. He thought Of running away and
trusting to flight, but lie dismissed the
thought, for he could not escape the uner-
ring aim Of the relentless man confronting q
him. He thought Of rushing upon Ralph
and engaging in a desperate struggle for the
possession of the rife, but be knew that it
would be hopeless. He was twenty feet dis
tant, and his enemy could shoot him down
before he could reach him.
As if diyining his very thoughts. Ralph
said, with demonisc laugh
"Oh, there is no chance for YOU: run
which way YOU will, can bring YOU down
before you can take three steps Come. to
prayer You have only about three minutes
and half left -
Robert Craig stood motionless, and with
the same coolness he had displayed from the
beginning he said:
''Ralph Moore, see that you are In ear
nest"'
Certainly am. la ha You know NE
we'll enough to know that ] did not come
/ here for nothing"
Yet you viii not kill me-" said Robert
Craig, in quiet, firm tone. u can bring an
argument to bear that viii prevent YOU
Pooh - rctortod Ralph. contemptuousiy.
. I'D like to know what IS is
'.Weu, have letter in my pocket here
.'StopT exclaimed Ralph, fiarcely. Keep
that hand away from your pocket. under
stand your game-you have pistol. -
NO; on my bonur II 1 had, you could
shoot before could use it. think Won are
quick enongh for That"
i suppose 1 an.
'-Wen, win you allow ne to take letter
from my pocket, or are you afraid o.
s'WeU don't think 1 am much afraid
Shall take the letter from my pocket -
- e -. --a,~