Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-10-14

scutfoid.
An exceedingly pretty young woman,
leading n child hy the hand, was stand
ing near the gibhet, watching the exc
cutioner performing his office, when,
on Suddenly turning her head, she per
ceived tall man standing by her side.
A cry of terror escaped her.
"Silencei raid the tall mau, in a
deep but concentrated and terOcious
tone, while ut the same time he dis
played a long woodman's knife.
"Silence. or that infant is an orphan
She uttered not word; bnt that wild
cry of terror. and the faint murmur OF
tho strangers muttered words were
heard by one of the municipal officers.
de eyed the mysterious man before
him, and remembered that the woman
had passed some months in the brigand-
poacher's cave. He made sign to two
Of his brother officers, aud the three
made him prisoner, in spite of the
most violent resistance, ard led him
before the senators.
THE po4chers have been executed"
said the man who had been principally
instrumental in etfecting his capture.
Worshipful senators, You waited the
arch tiend that led them-there he
stands"
"Spsre him! Spare him!" shrieked
the woman, whose involuntary cry had
,, led tO his arrest, for heavens sake
spare the father OF my chiid!"
well, be it sol" said the prisoner;
"let there be 10 farce about it! This
woman has betrayed me, but l pardon
her-I am Ruiner Llncks Auge," he
added. fearlessly and proudly.
go, tell the hangman." said a
senator, that the days work is not yet
accomplished"
THAT paitry wretch who, with the
/ assistance of two others. has ma 3e me
a prisoner" quoth Rudner. 81 played
with him yesterday at 200 PAGES dis
tance. | was about to plant b,ll in
his left eye but pity withheld my hand
Had l followed my first impulse, h+
would have fallen dead, and bitterly
he continuedl l should not now be
standing before you with fettered
hands"
You reckon with certainty, then on
lodging ball at 200 PAGES distance in
the eye Cf man?"
AYE, 10-one after the other. They
shall enter through the same hole!"
Pooh, impossible! said the argue,
busters of the city, who assisted at the
execution, with the banner OF their
craft displayed.
Because you are all bungiers." said
the poacher. with an ill-suppressei
sneer, lyon imagine that am no bet.
teT; good! If yOu desire to be amused,
[ am ready, before | die. to show you
how to handle an arquebuse."
" Agreed, agreed shouted several
of the bystsnders. eagerly closing with
the proposal.
The senators did not oppose the
wishes of the people. and the chief of
the srquebusiers said:
Let bottle be placed ut 200 PAGES
distance. II ball enter through the
neck without breaking it. / would most
humLly suggest, right worshipful SEN
ators. that free pardon be accorded to
this man."
"A mere nothing!" said Rudner.
True" said another of the argue
buse troop; besides chance Nigh.
serve his turn; for the demon has his
luck. TGis lawless halliard hath borne
off pine Of the falrest maidens in all
the district. let him, then, with the
balls, writhe the figure of nine upon
the weathercock which surmonnts the
Thor Ernscheimcr, a gate 30 called; lie!
him hang else ?"
The bystauiers roared ont their ap-
plause.
eff he fails but once continued the
same voice); if one of the balls is i'll
placed, ussuredly we will haug him."
"Go"d! good! excellent" shouted
the crowd, charmed at the idea OF having
tsO nights instead of one.
agreed" ssid Ruduer "Ii l dc
what is required Of me, shall have my
pardon?"
Yes, yes" cried tie arquebusiers
"we shall demaud!"
TIE senators consulted together fol
some time; aud, as the majesty Of the
law bcis,ed no great supremacy in those
days. they Informed Radner that the
condition was accepted.
''Lst me have an arquebuse, powder
and hire balls" said Rudner.
'Place him beneath the gibbet," ," said
the burgoAaster; put the rope around
bis neck, and if he be not as good as
his word. pull until death ensues."
Hans r adner examined the arquebuse
without seeming to pay the smallest
attention to the paips,aking and revolt
ing righteousness with which the eye
ou,ioner disposed the fatal knot, Sc
thak NJ hn ulirI,Angk a,~n,1 IA
execute the burgomaster order. Rud
ner charged the piece with powder aud
ball, and rammed the wadding tightly
down. After flashing these prepara
tions with the minutest attention, he
fired, and the weatheroock, turning on
its pivot. showed itself pierced tl..ougl
and through.
"Oh, that's nothing at all! " said one
of the arquebusiers.
"Any one might do as much" SAID
another.
lin waiting for the remaining
balls." said third.
"I'll wager brace of forins," sail
fourth, that he is hung before thu
third ball"
my business nov is with the second
and not with the third ball." sait
Rudner. "HCld for a moment
look sharp-there it is"
Now for the third" said Rudner
and he fired. docs that describe tn,
curve-liDe accurstely?"
"To admiration! was the reply.
"And the fonrth-aud the fifthl
quoth Rudner; there, the 0's made
I've only to put the tail to it now"
Better and better!" cried out tn,
astonished arquebusiers; forgetting
their intense hatred Of the man in theil
admiration Of his skill.
Nov for the sixtbT The bail flew
from the muzzie of his gun and lit a
accurately rs if the schooimas.er O
the town he'd designated its place.
Long live Rudner!" shouted tn,
excited crowd; "the foremost marks
man in all the worldr'
Thousands If people, who bnt few
moments before eagerly desired tE'
poacher's death. nov offered up arden
| ynuc for lilo ,af,krl S,oi,