Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-24

IxT.NfNd some Il ic k n m @.
 .NeaSS}eSA John Smith was such
 a man, and, conse- quently, before he had been in the camp forty eight hours he had gained tho title of "Dominie."
 Smith and myself were the only men in the camp who had any pretensions to an education in more than the commonest English branches. As for myself, 1 al- ways possessed the faculty of making myself at home wherever I went, and so soon managed to win the favor of my companions at Rocky Fork.
 But Smith possessed different tenn perament from mine. He was educated, refined and sensitive, and the roughness of his companions grated upon him. So without making any attempt to overcome this natural repulsion, he summed their society, and when not working, spent his time in his tent or in long and solitary walke.
 Of course the miners were offended by selves as good as the "Dominie,' and bitterly resented his attitude toward them.
 remonstrated with him for his con- duet toward the other men, told him it was impolitic, to say the least, and ad- vised him to act differently in the future. But his only response was:
 "I don't dislike the men, but I don't care for their companionship. If they will let me alone, will not interfere with them"
 would have liked to have asked the ''Domine" to tell mo the secret of his life, but there was something in his man. ner which forbade mo to do so.
 One afternoon, whom the "Dominie" had been one of us for about three months. there came into camp man who called himself Frisco Bill, and who said he had been working for the past year in another part of the country with very little success, and concluded to join us if there was room for him.
 Frisco Bill was large, stout, black bearded man, with certain frank, hearty way about him, which made him a favor ite immediately.
 He was welcomed to our camp at once, and during that time ingratiated himself still more in our favor by his relation of incidents and adventures in his career among the diggings. He possessed rare talent as story teller, and moved us alternately to laughter and tears.
 "You're the right sort of man." said old Sam Barton, tho veteran of our party, as we arose to our feet after as jolly an evening as we had ever spent together; 'you're just the kind of fellow We want here. No high toned finicky airs about SOu, 4lhS luS 'bOlQlulS
 '.The 'Dominie? Who's hc?" asked the newcomer, with laugh.
 "Hes cuss as owns claim out yon- der. He works 1t all day, and spends his evenings alone in his tent. We ain't good enough company for him."
 He must bo derned hard to please, then," said Frisco Bill, and with this he left us.
 As I passed the~ "Dominie's" tent on y,,y fr ,nv Cxyp r boord fb, ,,D;oo .>s that individual calling my name.
 I paused, and an instant later was joined by Smith.
 ''Who is that stranger who was in camp tonight?" he asked, in Q strange, hoarse voice.
 Frisco Bill he calls himself" I re- piled. He's @ hrst-rate fellow. Why didn't you como out and make his ac- quaintance2"
 "What Is his full name?" asked Smith, not needing my question.
 'I don't know" l responded. II only heard him called Frisco Bill. Why do you ask?"
 No matter. Good night"
 And the ''Dominie" turned on his heel and re-entered his tent.
 The next morning at an early hour about o'clook-l was awakened by the noise of scuffiing just outside my tent.
 Then came loud cry of mortal agony, and heard the sound of heavy body falling upon the ground.
 l rushed out, and in the dim light-the first faint streak of gray was just appear ing in the east-I saw, lying by the en- trance of my tent, the body of Frisco Bill, the blood pouring from frightful wound in his breast, which the loose, open shirt he wore displayed.
 As approached he uttered a faint, con- VulSiye sob and died
 bent over his body In horror and cried help.
 In less than ten minutes he was sur rounded by group of excited men,
 ''Who did it?" was the cry which arose from dozen throats.
 ''Are we all here?" some one asked.
 "All but Sam Barton and the sDomi- nie,' was the reply; "and sam was here just now"
 "Hero he isW shouted tho voice of Barton at this moment; '.and here's the ouss that killed Frisco Bill p
 "The 'Dominie,' exclaimed all, for Bar ton had that individual by the collar
 In his hand the ''Dominie" clutched q bloody knife.
 His face was pale but calm.
 'Yes, the 'Dominie.' hang him." said Barton; II caught him just as he was sneaking off,"
 ''You arc mistaken, Barton," said Smith, quietly; "I was not attempting to escape"
 "Soe here, boys," interposed, at this tuncture, ''there must be some mistake, ''the dominic did not kill thls man."
 ''Yes, Reid, I did kill him !! said tho "Dominie," as calmly as if he had been making the most ordinary statement, rather than confessing a frightful crime
 '.What, you confess it, do you?" ex- claimed Barton. 'All right, you white faced sneak, we'll make short work of you. Boys," he added, turning to the rest of us, what shall we do with him7"
 ''String him up"
 "Hang him to tho nearest tree"
 ''Serve him Hs he served poor Bill"
 XnAn ne~ls