Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-24

ventured to 1nterpoSe at this point.
 ''surely we arc not justified in thus taking the law into our own hands," l began.
 "Yes. we are," interrupted the stern volcc of Barton; ''in this hero commu- nifty the people make the laws and carry 'em out, too. The people have said that this murderin' cuss shall die, and die he must"
 II thank you for your interpretation In my behalf" said Smith, addressing mo. "but assure you I care not what be- 8 wrong which has ranked in my bosom for years, and am ready to dio if such be the will of God"
 An impromptu gallows was now con- structed, by merely throwing stout branch of an oak tree.
 ''Now, then, take your place here," ordered Barton, addressing Smith, and pointing to spot directly under where the end of the rope dangled.
 The "Dominie" obeyed without hesita- tion.
 Have you anything to say before we swing you off?' demanded Barton.
 "les, have," replied the condemned man, in loud clear voice.
 "Wel, then, now's your slime. Go ahead, and be quick about it. "1 want to say few words in justifiea- eANAA VA sAAS SAAAhS l AidNo SoulullVtcus po- gan the "Dominie." "To begin with, let me say that my real name is Henry Varrey.
 -Four years ago I was a prosperous and happy mechanic in San Francisco. I had a widowed mother and q sister, o beautiful girl of IS. In an evil hour in- troduced Edmund Dunbar to them. He was workman in the same shop with me, and believed him to be one of the best fellows living. Instead, he was tiend incarnate. Oh, could I but have penetrated his mask ere it became too late!
 "In time he became engaged to my sister, who had learned to love him with all the strength of her nature.
 "It was at about this time that our em- ployer, Mir. Bennett, began to miss money from his safe, and various articles of value from his office and shop. Who the thief was, or when the thefts were committed, for long time remained mystery. But one day 1 saw Edmund Dunbar take a sum of money from his employers desk. confronted him on the spot and accused him of the crime. But what was my horror when, without even replying to me he called in Mr. Bennett and de- nounced me as the thief.
 ''I could scarcely believe the evidence of my ears. Was this internal villain the man in whose care would have entrusted my sisters happiness2 In a few excited words told my employer tho truth.
 :" Henry, said Dunbar, with a we'll feigned expression of grief, do not add falsehood to your other crime. MT. Ben nett he added, I am willing-nay anxious-that the most searching lnvesti- gation of the case should be made. I have good name which I cannot afford to lose. propose that you send 0 man at once to both my house and Varreys and have them thoroughly eXamined.'
 "Ah, the artful villain! This had been a deep-laid plot.
 "The messenger was sent. In hour hc returned with several of the stolen articles, and some marked money which had been stolen from MT. Bennett's safe, and which he had fonnd in my trunk In whatever that would point to that man as the thief. The scoundrel hadcarefully concealed all evidence of his crime.
 It looked bad for me. Everything pointed to my guilt, and every one be- lieved mo guilty. Yes every one; for, bitterest blow of all, that internal vil- lain, Dunbar, succeeded in making even my beloved mother and sister believe that was thief They accepted his statement and rejected mine. I could have born anything else with fortitude, but this completely broke me down.
 "Well, I was tried, found guilty and sentenced to two years imprisonment.
 II had served out one year of my term when Edmund Dunbar married my sister Oh, would she had never seen his face for they had not been married three months when it was learned that Dunbar had a wife and child in Chicago, whom he had deserted several years before.
 "'Yes, he said, with brutal laugh, when my sister accused him of. his false- ness and deceit; tits true, Nelly, that that woman Is my wife. suppose must leave you now. We'll, I've been happy with you, and would have preferred you to her, but it can't be helped
 "Maddened with shame and anguish, my sister rushed from the house and threw herself into the river. The next day hor body was recovered and laid in the family plot. This blow killed my mother. A month later she was laid by my sisters side.
 "Thus was robbed of honor and repu- tation and of the dear ones that were more to mo than all else on earth by one in whose care l would have trusted my very life.
 "At the expiration of my term left the prison and came to this camp, not with the intention or desire of making a fortune, but in the hope that I might thus isolate myself from all I had ever known before.
 II have lived for one thing-to meet Edmun Dunbar again. Last night when saw the newcomer in your camp. fam cied I saw in his face a resemblance to the man who so foully wronged me. But was not certain, for the heavy beard which he wore had effected a great change in his appearance. But this morning met him when was taking stroll and knew him at once.
 "The sacrifice of his life cannot atone for the past, but I leave the rest to heaven. What I have done l cannot re- gret. may be wrong, but cannot.
 "That is all have to say, gentlemen"
 "And that man, Frisco Bill, was Ed mund Dunbar?" demanded old Sam Bar ton in husky voice.
 'Yes."
 "Boys," shouted Barton, while the tears streamed down his bronzed and rugged face, II move that we release the pris- oner."
 Second the motion," responded every man in tho crowd.
 "'Dominie, you kin go," said Barton,