The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-10-09

brayed fiendish hordes OF savages miles
from the aiding hand of civilization was
not now, in the land of enlightenment
and Justice, to be frightened. The
noble impulse of helping a woman in
distress would have nerved him to any
adventure. He would have faced any
foe. His heart was one among the
many He was nobleman-not a no
bleman of the earthly creation, but one
of Gods noblemen.
Bidding the boy to lead the way. he
plunged into the utter blackness with
| out.
For a long way he followed the
youth. Even his travel-worn limbs be-
gan to feel fatigued.
There is something wrong here,
thought Tolliver; "Why did the boy
pass so many houses and come to me
| for assistance? But [ am not afraid.
| know not fear!'
Even as he was revolving the ques-
ton in his mind, his guide turned into
a dark wood and led the way up to a
small and dilapidated cabin.
Pushing the door open, horrible
spectacle met his sight. There, in a
pool of her own blood, lay, not a wom-
an, as Tolliver had expected to find,
but beautiful young girl OF perhaps
eighteen years OF age Across the white
throat had been drawn a knife, leaving
q horrid, gaping wound.
Paying no heed to the boy who had
departed. closing securely the door
through which they had entered, Tolli-
YER, by the light of the fire on the
hearth, sought to closer examine the
body OF the murdered girl.
Her black hair, which was matted
and clotted with her own blood, was OF
silky texture. Her half-closed eyes
were of very dark brown. Her features
were regular. and Tolliver, as he gazed
upon the PROSTATE form of the MUIR
dered girl. could hardly suppress an
exclamation of wonder at her rare
beauty. She was of medium stature,
and richly dressed, yet divest of all
ornament and jewelry.
Boy" said Tolliver, turning as he
supposed. suddenly upon his guide, sis
this girl"
His question was not finished. The
boy was gone.
"a plotm exclaimed the traveller at
once. This is the work of some
cursed friends who have thus slyly en-
trapped me and have their victim, liy.
ing, us much under control rs their
victim, dead" he added, as he discov-
cred that he was securely locked in
with his CHASTITY charge.
Ruefully he surveyed the corpse lying
in her blood before him. How could
he escape and pursue the murderers?
"At that moment the sound of ap-
preaching voices was heard.
Yes said voice, this is the
house. You see, the boy yonder. came
and gave us the alarm, and we caught
the villain in the act. Knowing him to
be a desperate man, we deemed it safer
to lock him in the shanty and procure
help, rather than to try to take him by
ourselves. know Ben Tolliver of old.
He always was a fearless sort of a fell
low, and don't think would have any
scruples in numbering the whole lot OF
us. We had better look sharp as we
go in on him. He is heavily armed"
With this the voice ceased.
"Ah! Just as had expected!
I saw into their Internal plot
as soon as | found the doors locked on
me. But | need have no fear
With that he advanced toward the
door and cried loudly: LET mo out!
There has been murder committed
here and /"
Never mind. my friend" replied a
voice, you will get out soon enough.
just wait till they get here with rope.
Judge Lynch will settle your uneasiness
about that murder. Lynch is short and
quick in its work and is the best remedy
for such cases"
For the first time did the true situa-
ton in which he was placed dawn up
on the young traveller. He was soon
to be pointed out to an Infatuated moi
as the murderer of the beautiful girl
lying in a pool Of her own blood at his
feet. A mob will not listen to reason.
Their first impressions are the one up
on which they act, and he clearly saw
the circumstantial evidence was strong
against him. Blood was upon his hands
for he had lifted the poor girls body in
to an easier posture than it lay whsn hi
first entered. The mob would find him
there bloody handed over the very
body OF the victim, and, melted by the
cunning OF the real murderers, would
fall upon him and destroy him
Nothing better dare he expect. Oh
for the wilds of Africa! Oh! for the
hordes of savages! Even the ferces
savage is gentle beside a reasonlesE
mob OF civilized men.
Tolliver was aroused from his gloomy
thoughts by shout from the crowd ir
waiting on the outside of the cabin
Well" he reasoned, my time is
about up. The mob is upon me-
In very short time Ben Tolliver was