Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-04-19
Shake Rag Under the Hill.
A STORY or EARLY DAYS IN TIE LEAD MINES.
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CHAPTER xxIv.--BUNCE MEETS HIS FATE. THE


! CHATTER NNIN.-BUNCE NEkTS HIS TATE. THk
RNopus.
Those who had hunted far and
near for Jacks murderer were sur
prised as they drifted back, one by
one, to find that the person whom
they had so arduously sought, had
been within rifle shot Of the town
all the while, an attentive observer
of all who went and came, and the
various doings at Shake.rag-under-
the-hill; and there was great talk
among the citizens OF taking
him out of the rude and insecure
Jail, where he was strongly gaurded,
and hanging him without more ado.
The law abiding element, however,
prevailed and in due time Bunce
had his fair trial by jury and was
ably defended by eloquent counsel.
The forensic efforts of tho speakers
pro and con were the wonder and
topic of the day and made lasting
impression on all who h ard. But
Bunce had fired on his last man, for
the jury rendered verdict of
"guilty," and the solemn Judge,
donning the somber cap, sentenced
him "to be hung by the neck until
he was dead"
Down in the hollow to tie south
of the town where point of land
juts out on the valley, gallows was
erected, in the fall of the year, and
people from all the surrounding
mining camps tlocked to Shake-rag
to witness the execution of the man
who killed John Trrmbul" and
everyone felt justified in being pres
ent to witness the death of so great
a felou.
As no one outside Of our little
circle had an inkling that anything
had gone wrong with Joe Tonkyns'
private relations, his disappearance
created no comment, for il was his
won't of late to wander about a great
deal, like a restless spirit that could
not be quieted
But Notwithstanding his repudia-
ton by somo who were dearest to
him, still their anxiety could not be
lightly allayed, for not easily do we
rid ourselves of an affection that
has lasted 80 long, though we may
close our hearts and try 10 think it
is SO. As matter of course the
secret was diyulged TO Sam Pichard,
but that oouumdrum in tho way of
humanity did not show nearly as
much indignation as was expected,
for looking coolly and scrutinizing-
ly at Molly as she sat in low, easy
rocking chair, dressed in loose
robe that became her so well, he
said:
81 don't knaw that can blame
i'm much seeing the stake zee played
for, though hits bad business for
all that, but wish | knawd where
the poor booy AS gone to. Like as
not 'ee's gone an thrawd himself
IN the river. I've 'eard Of the like
befoore."
As they did not answer him, he
went out in an i'll humor that anyone
should set themselves against Joe.
He went back to the old mine 10
work again as in the old times,
having procured the assistance Of
helper; but though ho put on
sturdy face, and went TO aud from
the tavern where he now boarded,
still it was all with an effort and his
heart was no longer in the work.
One day he came into Aunt Betty's
and throwing his hat into corner
/ and sitting down wearily he broke
out with;
al it's all no use; ! can't stan it
no longer to 60 up to the old place
an dig, with Jack dead an Joe
gone, an the 'ouse that was so
pleasant like all shut up. Things
bent like they used to bel No,
must give un up, an reckon | will
be of to the "Burg" an start over
again. All dear! times bent like
they used 20 bel"
ave have been thinking some Of
going down TO Gaana 20 visit Mrs
Jedder for "a few weeks, said Aunt
Betty quietly. $50 IL you have
made up your mind, you could take
us down when you were on lhe road
to the Burg Molly ism Z satisfied
here, and a change would do her
good"
eyes, / would like 10 20 away
from here. shall never be happy
here again" aud she spoke 90 low
and quietly; the ola zest ard gaiety
had gone out Of her life
80 Il was all arranged Il a weeks
time Sam leased the mine, and
the women packed DIP tboir little
necessaries for the visit, aad seated
in Sam Tiller's wagon, which they
hired for the purpose, they drove
out If town. What q sad change
had come over holly's fife since the
pleasant time ia that golden Septem-
Der when she saw Shake-r8g for Tie