Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-04-15
THE SILVER BULLET.

mat Tune larry OVeffun Win outlaws Of
all classes. Bushwackers, highwaymen,
,ounterfeiters and "mooshiners" mes
tied III all the countryside, among the
mountains, and far from towns and
cities upon the lonely roads; while
gamblers and desperadoes swarmed in
and about the settlements Crime was
frequent, and the lot Of II United States
officer Il succession of stirring adven-
lures, involving great danger, and de-
handing great tact and personal
bravery.
But Nutting proved himself worthy
and fit for the Office A young man Of
temperate habits, quick wit, splendid
physique and dashing courage, he was
never III loss how to act; and the
vcrmn that infested that section soon
learned To hate and fear him intensely
Many were the expeditions which
the officer lad led, many his escapes,
and many the prisoners safely captur-
"a and walled by his efforts; but one
man evaded him. The shrewdcst and
worst ''moonshiner" Of all was still at
large; despite all his efforts, Nutting
had not yet secured Ruloh Allen.
This man was known throughout the
State. Ills career had been that of Il
criminal from his birth. In the fast
nesses Of Southwestern Virginia, he
manufactured whisky upon II grand
scale, and was tie owner of dozen or
more queer stills" and snapped his
fingers 1T the law.
Several times NuttiHg had sought
this quarry; twice he had actually
caught him, yet twice had he escaped,
and III tire time Of which we speak he
VAS still free.
evening, mnsing, half-dreaming, when
there fell Il light touch on Ills shoulder
H. started and turned quickly. A
stranger stood before him.
The United States District Marshall
MD he interrogatiyely.
Yer, sir. said Launce, rising "Be
seated What can | do for your"
q would speak with you alone" he
said, CHANGING around. 81 have matters
Of importance to communicate.
This office is out of hearing from
the street" replied Nutting, land we
are by ourselves. You can speak free
""
The other drew Il couple Of cigars
from his pocket, offered one to the
marshal, and lit the second himself
Nutting followed his example; then
the man drew the chair nearer. SO that
lie sat between tile officer and the desk
whcreon lay his belt and pistols, threw
open his coat 50 that the butts Of two
heavy rcyolvers might lie seen, and
blowing the smoke lightly from hi.
cigar, said III i quiet tone to his com
panions:
You are DESTROYS Of arresting not
cd moonshiner. one Ruloh Allen, are
you not
There's no doubt of that" said the
marshal. smiling.
Il am the man"
Nutting's cigar never stirred in his
lips; his hands did not culver, nor hi.
breath come the quicker. A single sigl
showed how deeply he was moved; hi'
eyes dilated, then he laughed low anC
long.
You you, Ruloff Allen My friend
| know Allen. Ills hair is red; your.
Il black. Ills face bore u scar across
tic chin; yours Il beard His teeth arr
broken; yours are perfect. The Joke il
good, Int You are not Allen"
The other hesitated moment; then
striking wig from his head, i hearo
from his chm, and removing single
false tooth, he turned to Nutting, red
haired and smiling.
And now =
You are Allen =
For a full moment neither man NOV
ed. 1t was MS though two tigers gazed
ii each other. Then the outlaw said
Listen | am armed! you are not
am fully desperate u man as report
makes me. am as strong rs you. Dc
not try To arrest me, for shall ther
be obliged to kill you. | came here t,
have Il private talk, but it is necessary
that you should know who L am.
will not modest you if you will do TIL,
same by me and give me fifteen min
utcs to escape when we have finished
Nutting measured his chances. I'm
armed III the presence of man (
Wnom murder was not new, I've deemed
prudence the better part, and replied
Il agree
Good, said Allen, removing Iii,
own pistol-helt. Your word is equa
% mine We shall both go unarmed
And now | would tell you my story"
Then he drew his chair still nearer
the marshal and rs the twilight fell and
night came down. he told of his hfe-a
weird strange history, every line intense
with throhhing passion of lawlesSnes,
winch had made the man what he was
The other listened breathless: the
darkness shrouded both and the cigar:
We're finished long before the tale wa.
ended
1t last the visitor paused, and ther
concluded Is follows
so have | lived As Il Wild man
almost: and that life, for the past fly,
years. beer more mania than ever be
fore Int with i method. | am ant
have been seeking money and none,
only. Not 50 widely different. You vii
say, from Ill the world, except that nj,
search was without the pale Of the law
And now the end has come. | am ricl
| have enough. and | desire TO return
10 civilization. You can permit it
You can prevent it. l am an outlaw
Very we'll | will cease outlawry. vii
turn over my stills to the government
will swear great oath and keep it. toe
for my own interests demand lit,
become worthy citizen; and if yol
will accept the prodigal son. and xii
for me the fatted calf pardon. | cam,
here to ask you to interceede for me
Viii you do so.
Nutting hesitated 4 moment.
This man was veritable Robin
Hood Could he trust him? Should
he aid him, or continue his efforts t,
suppress him2
The other spoke again.
Such assistance from an official i
what need, and can pay for it. /
You will get free pardon for me,
will give YOU five thousand"
Stop The yound mans eyes blaz
ed. You have gone too far Nigh
have deemed it my duty to do as yot
asked, in order TO wipe out your curseC
traffic; but you have sought to plac,
me on par with yourself. You offe