San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-06-19
TWENTY YEARS AFTER.
Early Life in Texas.
Thy EDITH AIKEN.

FOR The LIGHT
First, a strictly private marriage;
next, that 1 should remain with her
for the present, my extreme youth
being her plea, another and the only
! condition on which 1 would consent
J to 60 through the farce was that
though Mr.. Gould might live in the
house with me, he should not claim
me for his wife really, for three years.
1 had the strongest hope that before
that time expired, you would claim
me, and 1 did not give up the hope
until your death was reported.
Your child of course passed for
Gould's but there never was any love
between them. Richard was your
living image except his eyes and hair
and he had your free trusting nature,
though strong in his likes and dis
likes, and the strongest of his dis
likes seemed to be for his reputed
father. Mr.. Gould from the first
resented the child's name, Richard
Gilbraith, but I would have no other.
Then he resented the strong resem-
blence to you though 1 gloried in it.
Matters did not improve with years.
hO UOy was ultl uOU CdI0 lOI
study, and would not listen to being
confined to store or counting room.
He seemed from his earliest years to
resent any authority on the part of
Mr.. Gould. Finally after more
severe quarrel than usual between
them, Richard left the house and soon
after come out here, to seek his for
tune he said. 1 could do no better
than hnninor RI ha n h1n tn
help him from the time when he
should find business to suit him.
That was two years ago, and since
the first letter announcing his arrival
in Dallas and expected departure the
following day for point further west,
L have not heard word until five
days ago. A letter sent enclosed in
one to an acquaintance reached me,
pleading for help, stating that he was
in jail for no crime but that his life
was in danger. Imagine if you can
my grief and horror, and hate and
rage towards Gould, for by this letter
l also learn Dick had written many
letters, to Gould as well as to me
humbling himself to plead for line
from his mother. L did not delay an
hour later than a train could start
me on my journey, and was fortunate
in meeting Mr.. Clark on the train,
and he was the blessed fate that led
me to you.O
Brave true mother! did Gould con-
sent without trouble to you coming?"
81 did not ask his consent. He
was from home when received the
letter, l did not know where nor seek
to learn. He has been greatly worried
over succession of losses occurring
in this vicinity, so L have heard
through the papers"-she stopped
looked at her husband-''do you know
anything about it, it is some of Night
hawks work! Richard! Richard! you
are Col. Nighthawkw
- Eyes l took his name, when 1 took
|my old friends place in the band
when 1 am in the band, and l do
know far more probably than you
|my darling, about the movements
| of this cursed Gould! You know per-
haps he has of late years lost a |
great deal Of money by robber-
|ies?u
"Yes.n
~ must 60 back little. You re-
member how got my terrible
|wound?" She shuddered, her under
standing grasped what he would say. |
IT see you co nprehend. Gould gave
that wretch five hundred dollars to
enlist In my regiment, and wait for
an opportunity to murder me, and
Thousand dollars when the deed was
supposed to be done. The fellow de-
serted, claimed his money, and then
came out here, joined a gang of
Iroughs. Sneaks and towards as they
mostly are, they are the real terror
Iof isolated homes, unprotected trave-
Hers, and all honest men. In al
Ecrimmage with some ofmy men about
six weeks ago, this man was shot,
hnd when he was dying confessed
many crimes, among them my sup
posed murder his first great crime,
|hnd stated who employed him. 1
learned by questioning after made
myself known thereby relieving
5his conscience of one murder, that
Gould had man in his pay, employed
lin the New York post-office and
Brother to the dying wretch-who, as
far as he knew was the INSCRIPTIONS
tool of Gould still. You can see dim
Iy can you not, how all of your cor
'tespondence passed under the sur
Feillence of that man. 1t was to
meet this same tool that I went to
BIT. Louis. He has been sent apparent
Iy on little trip for pleasure and
TEST, to the city to which you are
bound, with half million of money
concealed in his boots"
"Richard!"
at is true dear. That seemingly
1 bare free tourist wears boots lined
RI