Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-05-16

divine. AT last Steve, removing his gaze
from the fire, and fixing it on old An
drew, said
"You was down to Little Rock 'tuther
day, want your"
"Yes, went down on business"
81 lowed it was business and Steve
laughed In sluggish way, like the murky
slosh Of swamp water. "Seed some o.
them government men down thar, didn't
you 2"
The old man started, as though seized
by sudden fear.
"Yes; for some of the officers, hearing
that was in town, had me summoned
before the United States grand jury"
can you told 'em that several fellers
in this here curmunity was maxim wild
cat whisky, eh 2"
The old man moved uneasily and re-
piled: 81 was placed under oath and was
compelled to answer the questions which
they asked me.n
"An' l reckon you was mighty keen to
do it, want you p
at was no business of mine, and
1 should have volunteered no informa-
tion.n
"You'rc putty slick talker, old
man. All you wanted was a chance to
give us away. You want TO see us drug
off to Jail an see our wives an chillun
starve."
"The assertion is unjust, Mr.. Blue.
My mission on earth, and it is now clos
ing, has been to alleviate suffering, in
stead Of causing it. did not know that
you were an illicit distiller l did not
mention your name and only spoke of
those whom l knew to be in that unlaw-
full business.
"Unlawful business" repeated Steve,
with a merciless grin. "What right has
the government got to say that l sha'n't
do what l please with my con an ap-
Piles? This here's free country, old
man.
81 shall not enter into discussion of
individual rights. You may entertain one
idea and l may hold another. l grant
you the right and you should not with
hold it from me-"
"Never mind your high-strung talk.
l amt got time to palarver. This here's
a business visit, old man."
"What business can youhave with me,
Mr.. Blue2n
'Lemme tell you little story"
"Thought this was business visit"
"Well, airter the story the business
comes. One time thar was feller what
was a quiet sort O. man. One O. the
neighbors killed his son. He didn't say
much an didn't do nuthin'. Airter a
while another one O the neighbors
caused his wife to leave him. He didn't
do nuthin'. Some time afterwards his
brother told the deputy mavshals that he
was maxim wild cat whisky"
Old Andrew waited for moment to
hear the conclusion of the recital. Steve
sat, with his gaze fixed on the fire.
"Well, what did he do with his broth
er 2"
"Killed him." and again there was a
sluggish laugh like the murby slosh Of
swamp water.
"What, killed his brother for so little
when for great offenses he allowed others
to escaped"
"Zackly. The greatest sin what a
man can do in this world is to repo't on
a wild cat 'stiller."
The old man looked around nervously,
and then began to search the visitors
face. He might as well have studied a
shovelfull of earth.
"This evenin'," said Steve, "a deputy
marshal come to my house. poked my
gun through the window and killed him.
Then | left, an as | was passin' here,
thought I'd stop an tell you goodbye,
fur I've got to leave the country. How
old are you?n
"Seventy-eight."
"It's bad that you've got to die SC
young" turning with murderous leer
"My God, man, you don't mean to xii,
me?"
"Oh, no, wouldn't kill you. A man
never kills snake what tries to bite
him."
Steve took a short rope from hi;
pocket. He made loop at one end and
sat for time turning the hemp round
and round.
"For the love of God, do me no VIC
lence. am an old man with only few
more days left"
GA few more minutes, you mean"
81 am unable to defend myself, and
am at your mercy"
"Don't reckon want you to defend
yourself, do you2 I amt the man to give
a feller a stick an tell him tc knock mt
down"
"Will you let me pray?"
"No, you've prayed enough in youl
lifetime, an sides that, you might pray
for the marshals to ketch me-"
No, l will only pray for myself. All
Mr.. Blue life is sweet even to an ole
man. The young, with bright hopes
can die quite as willingly as the ole
man who has walked far along the dusty
road. l did you no intentional harm
and implore your forgiveness. Let nj
llve2"
cold man, life is as sweet to me as i
is to you Cause you've read book
an preached, don't think that you
life is worth more to you than mine is t.
men
Eyes, but l would not take yours TO
the world. If you had but one hour t.
live, and knew that by robbing you o
that short time would gain years an,
years, would not lift finger agains
you. You are yet a free man. You ca
escape. Yau may take my borse."
81 will take your horse"
"Thank you"
CATER have took your life"
"Oh, Lord, save your"
Steve threw the loop over the old man
head and with a jerk pulled him from tn
chair. He fell ON his knees and with hi
palsied hands, struggled to loosen tn
rope. Steve stood regarding his victir
with brutal fondness. He allowed th
rope to slacken, for he seemed to take
fiendish delight in hearing the old man
! tones of AGONY