Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-09-02
0ates aud Sketthss.
TIE SILVER BULLET.

States marshal in the southern district OF
Virginia The State was at that time fairly
oyerrun with outlaws of all classes. Bush
whackers, highwaymen,c ounterfeiters and
.smoonshiners" nestled in all the country
side among the mountains, and far from
towns and cities upon lonely roads; while
gamblers and desperadoes swarmed in and
about the settlements. Crime was frequent
and the life of United States officer was
a series of stirring adventures involving
great danger, and demanding as great
tact and personal bravery. But Nutting
proved himself worthy and fit for the Of
fee. A young man OF temperate habits,
quick wit, splendid physique and dashing
courage, he was never at a loss how to
act; and the vermin that infested that Sec
ton soon learned to hate and fear him in
tensely. Many were the expeditions
which the officer had led many his escapes
and many the prisoners safely captured
and walled by his efforts; but one man
evaded him. The shrewdest and worst
..moonshiner'' of all was still at large
despite all his efforts. Nutting had not Sc
cured Ruloff allen.
This man was known throughout the
State. His career had been that Of a
criminal from his birth. In the Businesses
of southwestern Virginia, he manufacture
ed whskev upon grand scale, and was
the owner of a dozen or more ''queer
stills" and snapped his fingers at the law.
Several times had Nutting sought this
quarry ; twice he had actually caught him
yet twice he had escaped, and at the time
of which we speak he was still free. Nut
ting sat at his office window one evening,
musing, halt dreaming, when there fell a
light touch on his shoulder. He started
up quickly. A stranger stood before him.
The United States marshal Pr said he
interrogatively.
Yes, sir" said Lawrence. rising. "Be
seated. What can do for you p
II 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, "And we are by
ourselves. You can speak freely"
The other drew couple of cigars from
his pocket, offered one to the marshal,
and lit the other himself. Nutting fol-
lowed his example; then the man drew
his chair nearer, so that he sat between
the officer and the desk wherein lay his
belt and pistols, threw open his coat so
that the butts of two heavy revolvers
might be seen. and blowing the smoke
lightly from his cigar, said in quiet tone
to his companion:
you are DESTROYS of catching a noted
moonshiner, one Ruloff Allen, are you
not ?"
There is no doubt of that" said the
marshal, smiling.
II am the man. Nutting's cigar new
er stirred in his lips: his hand did not
culver. nor his breath come the quicker.
A single sign showed how deeply he was
moved; his eyes dilated, then he laughed
long and low.
"You-you Rulof Allen? My friend I
know Allen. His hair is red; yours is
black, His face bears scar upon the
chin; yours beard. His teeth are brok.
en-; yours are perfect. The joke is good,
but you are not Allen"
The other hesitated a moment; Their
striking wig from his head, beard from
his chin, and removing single false
tooth, he turned again to Nutting, red
haired and smiling.
"And now p''
"You are Allenr' For full minute
neither man moved. 1t was. as though
two large tigers gazed at each other
Then the outlaw said:
Listen! am armed You are not
am as fully as desperate man as repor
makes me. am as strong as you. Dc
not try to arrest me, for | shall then bt
obliged to kill you. came here to have
a private talk, but it was necessary tha
you should know who l am. | will no
modest you if you will do the same by me
and give me fifteen minutes to escape
when we have finished. Nutting meas
ured his chances. Unarmed, in the pres
ence of man to whom murder was mo-
new, he deemed prudence the better part
and replied;
Il agreed"
Good" said Allen. removing his owr
pistol belt; your word is equal tc
mine. We shall both be unarmed. AnC
now would tell you story"
Then he drew his chair still nearer the
marshal, and as the twilight fell ant
night came down, he told his life
weird. strange history. every line intense
with the throbbing passion of a lawless-
ness which made the man what he was
The other listened breathlessly the dark
ness shrouded both, and the cigars were
finished long before the story was ended
At length, however. the visitor paused
and then concluded as follows:
$50 have lived. As a wild man al
most; and that life has for the past five
years been more mania than ever before
but with a method. l am and have beer
seeking money and money only. Not SC
widely different. you will say, from all
the world, except that my search was
without the pale of the law. And now the
end has come. am rich. lhave enough
and now desire to return to civilization
You can permit it-you can prevent it.
am an outlaw. Very well! will cease
outlawry, will turn over my stills to the
government, will swear a great oath, and
keep it. for my own interests demand
ito become worthy citizen; and if YOU
will accept the prodigal son, and kill for
me the fatted calf of pardon, all will be
well. came here to ask you to intercede
for me, Will YOU do so?" Nutting hest
tated moment. This man was a verita.
Bile Robin Hood Could he trust him:
The other spoke again.
"Such assistance from an official is VIVA,
l need, and can pay for it. If you will
get free pardon for me will give you
five thousand" Aliens face paled. and
his hand erent toward h:s hin. than ro