Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-10-30

feet affection was known and quoted
all the country around.
But when pretty Annie Davis re-
turned 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 a worried look, and Wills was
like a thunder-cloud, with deadly
lightning hidden behind it.
Then VIII disappeared A few
weeks later Mark and Annie Davis
were married, and the man. in his
new-fCun6 happiness, seemed not to
miss or regret the one so necessary to
him When asked of the whereabouts
of VIII, he would reply, shorty: Gone
down South"
Two years more, and then came the
civil war. Among the first to volun-
teer in his State was Mark Foster.
He was q man strong in his convic-
tions, firm in the discharge of what he
considered his duty, and he believed
he was called upon to aid as best he
could in preserving the Union. He
enlisted to serve his country.
Will 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-
sion, and threw himself into 1t with all
the ardor 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
fully angered against; and he prayed
that they might be brought face to
face in strife.
The boy, for he was little more, soon
Won name and fame among his Con-
federate 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 a passion reused by some real or
fancied insult he killed the Colonel of
his regiment and was forced to desert
from the regularly organized and reor-
ganiZed troops of the South to escape
the consequences of his deed.
Rendered more reckless than ever,
he joined one of those guerrilla bands,
proclaimed outlaws by both armies,
repudiated by both governments, that
infested the border lines between the
free and slave States. Here his wild
nature found free vent, habit soon ac-
customed him to deeds from which he
would have formerly recoiled with hor-
ror, and his utter disregard of his own
or other life quickly raised him to sec
ond in command OF the large band of
eut-throats with which he had become
connected.
It was in the fall of 1868 when this
body of two hundred and more villains
reached the Kansas line, plundering
and numbering as they rode. VIII
was on or near the soil once owned by
his father, from which he had made
himself a voluntary exile. Careful
inquiry by the scouts of the party re-
vealed the fact that Mark, now a
Major In the United States Volunteers,
was at the old homestead. Frustrated
with wounds and sick nigh unto death.
This news was sweet to Wills ears
and heart as love-sOng to a willing
maiden.
He sought his chief, and asked that
he might pick his men and make q
raid that promised not only large
booty but also the capture of Yankee
officer, whose influence in that neigh
borhood was unlimited. OF course,
his request was granted. Captain
Thaxton (by that name only was VIII
known among this lawless ban6 never
made mistakes, never had any foolish
qualms about taking life or looting
valuabies; he was most valuable,
highly esteemed land pirate, and per
mission was given him to carry out his
wishes at his own viii.
With tive ,ty of the most desperate
men Of the command. this man started