Little Falls transcript., 1886-04-09

"all IN . heap" Seeing my hesitation
Miss Miner continues: .s.
q will satisfy you that had good
reason for my conduct, and can only
reiterate that I am very sorry now
that my suspicious should have fallen
on you.
She then told me the following
story: s. 5s (
Five years or more ago, when the
war was almost at it's close, mys f;a-
ther, who was Colonel in q cavalry
regiment in the Union army, was seri-
ously wounded. Our house was not
very far from the seat of war, so he
was brought to the old homestead to
die-tas we all thought. But he ral-
lied and in q few weeks appeared to be
in fair way to recover. When, one
evening, a soldier called at the house,
saying that he must see my father at
once and alone on important military
business. lie was admitted to the sick
chamber and left with my father. An
hour passed, when the doctor, think
ing my father would be worse after so
long an interview, decided to go to the
room and request the soldier to with
draw. TO his horror he found my
father upon the floor unconscious, his
head badly bruised. His bureau was
open and emptied OF all money and
other valuables. The robber and
murderer had decamped. say mur-
derer, because my father died that
night, though not before he was able
to tell something OF his assailant. My
father had struggled manfuily, though
OF course feebly, for his life, and in the
scuf11e had torn away this curious
sleeve button from his murderer.
That, to me, horrible yellow jewel J.
have carried ever since, as the only clue
by which [ hope to find the man whom
| have sworn to be revenged upon.
was only a very young girl when
my father died, but l hau no
mother, sister or brother and concen-
trated all the ardent affection OF my
nature upon my dear good father. So,
young as l was, I then and there de-
termined and solemnly vowed to shoot
that fathers murderer if l ever found
him, on sight. Revenge is now the
ruling passion and only aim OF my
Life, and you can imagine my emotion
when | saw you wearing the mate to
this horrible sleeve button"
"Will you tell me where you got
that sleeve "button, for am certain
that you never owned the pair?"
Irelated all / knew of the Jewel and
then added:
''Read this letter which has lust
come, but remember that the man
who gave me the button may be, and
probably is, as innocent as | am. DO
not be too hasty, as you may mis-
Judge q second time, and in any case,
my dear young lady, do not shed
blood, even though it be guilty blood
let the law do that"
She said nothing except to request
me to unlock the door, and soon Isaw
her walking away up the mountain
side. The Riverville train left with
out Miss Milner, and I was once more
alone in the deserted depot.
About 10 o'clock she sauntered in
to the station.
'Iet me stay inside there, out of
sight, but where [ may see and hear
this man who wrote that he would be
here tonight" )"
[ agreed on condition that she gave
up her pistol, which she did after hest
tating for an inst ant.
1t was just such a night as when two
months before, had sold a ticket Tor
a sleeve button. | began to wish I
had never seen the unlucky trinket.
AS my custom Was on fine evenings,
drew my chair out to the platform
and lit cigar. Just as on that other
evening, about five minutes before the
express was due my man hurried up.
GOOD evening, Mr.. Agent. Please
let me have ticket to Nashville and
my sleeve fastening and take enough
out Of this bill for two tickets. That
will ma ke us square, 1believe, and I'm
everlastingly obliged to you'
''Stay a. minute" said. II have
taken fancy to this old button, and
would like to buy it OF you.'
"Don't want to sell it, he esaid rath-
er curtly.
"Oh, come, I'll give you a fair price
forit. Willlet you have another ticket
and give you s. to boot"
Cant DO it-hurry up. I can hear
the train.'
"Why, is there any little history at
tached to the button?" Iasked.
ayes, there is, but look above, man."
"Lots of time," said, as l gazed at
my watch. There was only three min
utes. "Any objection to telling me
what it is?' this as I slowly rose from
my seat.
eyes, l have decided objection to
telling you my private affairs
He was now getting out of temper.
He was powerful looking man, but
had never known fear, SO I resolved
to try his mettle a little.
'Must be something not very good
to tell connected with this button" as
twirled it between my fingers.
Course you! can't you hear the train
coming?" he 1nuttered. "Ifyouwon't
give me the cursed trinket keep it, but
for Gods sake stop the train"
II will when you tell me where you
got it or where the mate to it is,"
answered. My "monkey" was up pnow
and was game to see the end of the
play. The strangers "monkey" was
up, too, for he whipped out a large
seven shooter and shouted: "D--n
you, get your lantern and flag that
train, or, by Cd, I'll send you tofol-
low the man who took the mate to
that button from me. Look lively,
now; I warn you it's unlucky to keep
that trinket from me!''
The train was coming along rapidly.
In about a minute it would pass un-
less stopped at once. BY this time we
were both in the ticket Office, and
as the stranger uttered his last words
he was confronted by Miss Miner. It
was strange sight to see that beauti-
full girl, clad in q white summer dress,
walk up to him with a huge revolver
in his grasp. ."..
*Give me that pistol" she said very