The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-06-19
THE SILVER BULLET.

States marshal in the southern district
of Virginia. The state was at that time
fairly overrun with outlaws of all classes.
Bushwhackers, highway1nen, counter
feiters and "moonshiners" nestled in all
the countryside among the mountains,
and far from towns and cities upon lone
lyroads, while gam blers and desperadoes
swar1ned in and about the settlements
Crime was frequent, and the life of a
United States officer was a series of STIR
ring adventures involving great danger,
and demanding as great tact and per-
sonal bravery.
But Nutting proved himself worthy and
fit for the Office A young man Of tenn
perate habits, quick wits, splendid phys
ique and dashing courage, he was never
at loss how to act; and the vermin that
infested that region soon learned to hate
and to fear him intensely.
Many were the expeditions which the
officer had led. many his escapes, and
many the prisoners safely captured and
walled by his efforts; but one man
evaded him. The shrewdest and worst
"moonshiner" Of all was still at large.
Despite all his efforts, Nutting has not
yet secured Rulof Allen.
This man was known throughout the
state. His career had been that of a
criminal from his birth. In the fastness
of southwestern Virginia he manufact-
ured whisky on a grand scale, and was
i the owner Of a dozen or more "queer
Stills" and snapped his fingers at the
law.
Several times had Nutting sought this
quarry; twice he had actually caught
him, yet twice he had escaped, and at
/ the time of which we speak he was still
free.
Nutting sat at his Office window one
evening musing, half dreaming, when
there fell light touch on his Shoulder.
He Started up quickly. A stranger stood
before him.
"The United States marshall" said he,
tnterogatively.
Eyes, sir, said Lawrence, rising. "Be
Beated. What can do for your"
81 would speak with you alone" he
i 4 uldlICIS
of Importance 10 communicate"
''This Office is out of hearing from the
street, replied Nutting, land we are by
ourselves. You can speak freely"
The other drew a couple of cigars from
! his pocket, offered one to the marshal
I and lit the other himself Ndtting fol-
lowed his example. Then the man drew
his chair nearer, so that he sat between
the officer and the desk wherein lay his
belt and pistols, threw open his coat SO
! that the butts of two heavy revolvers
might be seen, and blowing the smoke
from his cigar said IN a quiet tone to his
companions:
"You are DESTROYS Of arresting noted
] moonshiner, one Rulof Allen, are YOU
! mott"
There's no doubt about that, " said the
[marshal, smiling.
81 am the man"
Nutting'S cigar never stirred in his
1 lips; his hand did not culver nor his
breath come the quicker. A single sign
showed how deeply he was moved; his
eyelids dilated, then he laughed, soft
and low.
"You-you Ruloff Allenl Ny friend, |
know Allen. His hair is red; yours is
black. His face bears scar across the
chin; yours a beard His teeth are
broken; yours are perfect. The joke is
sgood, but you are not Allen"
The other hesitated moment. then
kfrlking a wig from his head, beard
from his chin, and removing a single /
False tooth, he turned again to Nutting.
Pred haired and smiling.
"And nova"
'YQu are Allen"
For full moment neither man moved. |
1t was as though two large tigers gazed
Rt each other. Then the outlaw said:
! Listen! | am armed; you are not. I |
am fully as desperate a man as the re-
port makes me. am as strong as YOU. /
DO not try to arrest me, for shall then
pc Obliged to Kill you. came here to
have private talk, but it was necessary
6ou should know who | am. will not |
nolest you II you will do the same bv |
me, and give me fifteen minutes to
Escape when we have finished"
Nuttlng measured his chances. I'm |
Rrmed IN the presence of a man to whom |
murder was not new, he deemed pru-
ience the better part, and replied:
81 agree"
GOOD" said Allen. removing his own
pistol belt; your word is equal to mine.
We shall both be unarmed. And now /
would tell you story"
Then be drew his chair still nearer the
narshal, and as the twilight fell and as
he night came down he told of his life
"a weird, strange history, every line in
ense with the throbbing passion of a
awlesSneSs which made the man what
be was.
The other listened breathlessiv. the
<arkneSs shrouded both, and the cigars
we're finished long before the story was
*nded.
A1 length, however, the visitor paused,
ad then concluded as follows:
$50 have 1 hved-as a wild man al.
aost; and that life mas the past five wears
been more mania than ever before. but
fith a method. l am and have been
eeklng money, and money only. Not
widely c,+terent, you viii say, from
u the world, except that my search was
lthout the pale of the law. And now
fne END has come. | am rich. have
nougA, and DOW desire to return to
civilization. You can permit it-vou
an prevent 1t. / am an outlaw. Very
veil Twin cease outlawry. l will turn
ver my stills to the government, Will
wear great oath-and will keep it, too,
or my own interests demand ito be