Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-07-24

lest affection was known and quoted
MI the country around.
Bat when pretty Annie Davis re-
snrned from distant school to brighten
her fathers home, four miles west of
the Foster place, there was trouble.
The brothers after little time were
seen together no more. Marks face
wore q worried look, and Wills was
like thunder-cloud, with deadly
lightning hidden behind it.
Then Will disappeared. A few
weeks later Mark and Annie Davis
we're married, and the man, in his
new-fonnd happiness, seemed not to
miss or regret the one so necessary to
hiIn- When asked Of the whereabouts
ef Win, he would reply, shorty: "Gone
down South"
Two years more, and then came the
siyil war. Among the first to volun-
3ear IN his State was Mark Foster.
He was man strong in his convic-
tiDns, firm in the discharge of what he
considered his duty, and he believed
he was called upon to aid as best he
eoald in preserving the Union. He
enlisted to serve his country.
VIII had drifted to the South, where
his hot, nervous temperament found
congenial company. His heart and
soul were filled with bitter, jealous
hatred of the brother he fondly loved,
and against the girl whom he had
hoped to win as his bride. He
gladly embraced the cause of seces-
xion, and threw himself into it with all
the aElaor of his impetuous nature.
He knew Mark would be among the
troops who fought under the stars and
stripes; in the hot excitement of war
there was forgetfulness; in battling
against the North, he was likely to
meet the brother he was so revenge
fnlly angered against; and he prayed
that ihey might be brought face to
lace In strife.
The boy, for he was little more, soon
Wun name and fame among his Con-
fe1erate companions by his reckless
daring, but the same turbid blood that
gained him such reputation also unfit
Ted him for the restraints of discipline.
In passion reused by some real or
fancsea insult he killed the Colonel of
ms regiment and was forced to desert
from the regularly organized and reor-
ganized troops Of the South to escape
ahe consequences of his deed.
Rendered more reckless than ever,
he joined one of those guerrilla bands,
proclaimed outlaws by both armies,
EepHdiated by both governments, that
infested the border lines between the
free and slave States. Here his wild
Aatare found free vent, habit soon ac-
enstomed him to deeds from which he
would have formerly recoiled with hor-
EDE, and his utter disregard of his own
OF ether life quickly raised him to sec
ena IN command OF the large band of
eus-throats with which he had become
aBnneeted.
Hwas in the fall of 1868 when this
body of two hundred and more villains
reached the Kansas line, plundering
and numbering as they rode. Will
wss oD on near the soil once owned by
his father, from which he had made
himself voluntary exile. Careful
1nquiTy by the scouts of the party re-
yealsd the fact that Mark, now a
Nla5pF IN the United States Volunteers,
was st the old homestead. prostrated
With wounds and sick nigh unto death.
Ths news was sweet to Wills ears
and heart as loye-song to a willing
maiden.
He sought his chief, azd asked thai
he might pick his men and make 3
raid that promised not only large
booty but also the capture of Yankee
ofioer, whose influence in that neigh.
borhood was unlimited. OF course
ms request was granted. Captain
Thaxton Thy that name only was VIII.
known among this lawless ban6 nevel
zaade mistakes, never had any foolist
aRalms about taking life or 1ootine
Ealnables; he was q most valuable
highly esteemed land pirate, and per
HnissiOn was given him to carry out hi
wishes at his own will.
With twenty of the most desperate
Mzn u the command, this man started