The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-03-05

ha,aen his soul and he had ever been
prompted by one impulse only-grecd
for wealth-which when acquired had
never brought him any genuine pleas
ure. lie had never once stopped to
think OF tho price his victims paid to
satisfy his own insatiate desires. lie
had been absorbed in self and had lived
a life in which none others shared
part. Blu: now that the hcllish conceits
OF his dcbascd mind could only spend
themselves on four prison walls, he was
forced to think.
Leon Velasquez, running riot as one
OF the most active Of the devils en-
missaries, had never paused to think Of
the exactness with which Gods mills
grind all. had never thought 1t worth
his while to consider that those who cs-
cape the mills tho longest arc In the
end ground moro quickly and relent-
lessly. lie was In the mills now and
tho great stones were beginning to re-
volvc; so closely, SO surely increasing
the speed OF their revolutions every mo-
mcnt, never to cease grinding until tho
grist should be fine as the finest powder.
Ills nights grew restless, s.oep al
most forsook him. and tho little
snatchcs OF mapping which he did
sometimes secure were only fitful
slumbers disturbed by horrible dreams
which brought to his mind in turn.
like moving panorama, the scenes Of
his dcvilish acts. Boli as he had been
through life, he now shuddcrci undo.
the shadow OF the gallows. and 50 fear
full was tho mental torture that 1T times
he wished that the end might be speedy.
When the bolts shot into their sock
cts across his prison door all hopo fed,
and no knew full well that he would.
after all these years OF liberty, meet tho
penalty OF his greatest crime. From the
hour of his arrest he had been moody.
and entirely ceased to speak to those
who approached him. He neither ex-
pressed a hope of escape nor murmurcd
at his fate. Some imagined that the
terrible visions Of just punishment
were perhaps tho cause OF his silence.
though others avowed that he was only
meditating a bold and final plunge for
liberty. lie that rs 1t might, he per-
sisted in morosc rctieence.
While he fingered in prison Mrs. De-
laro and her friends were taking rest
| from the intense excitement at pretty
little English watering place. trying in
vain to forget for time the tina. TRACE
DIV in which they must take an import
ant part.
| Mr.. Blodger had been completely out
done by the scenes he had witnessed
He made a hurried determination to re-
turn to America AMI never again assist
at such exciting performances. lie re-
ceiyed SO severe nervous shock that
all the poetry of his soul was crushed
out, and he was compelled to postpone
for an indefinite period the writing Of an
ode to Father Thames. in which he had
avowed his intention of putting vast
amount OF research, labor and thought.
! The world was thus robbed Of another
literary gem.
lie was true to his word, and weel:
after Nelasquez's incarceration Mr..
Blodger's little party OF friends accom-
| panied him to Euston station and badc
him God speed on his journey homo.
About five weeks later Mrs. Dalaro,
Armida and Percy returned to London
| to meet tho American detectives, who
| had arrived with the extralition papers.
1t required but short space of time to
| perfect the arrangements for Neiasnuez's
| removal to California soil, where the
law required that no should take his
| trial for tho crime of murder. Every
| body concerned was anxious to start as
soon as possible. and it was arranged
that the prisoner should be taken by
the same steamer IS the others, and no
ono niade any domur - tAi- oxcapt
Armida. When sho heard the decision
she said: I'VE must not travel on the
same ship with that man. am sure
something dreadful will happen-he
will DO veritable Jonah"
What nonsense you talk. my child.
Such absurd forebodings never enter my
mind" said her mother.
Here Percy protfercd asurgestion. II
you ladies would prefer sailing on some
other vessel. will secure passage fol
you. For my part, | do not wish te
leave the prisoner again, until l leave
him in fcion's grave. want to know
all the time that he is SAFE
Exactly my feelings in the matter,
said Mira Dciaro.
This seemed to settle tho question
for Armida said: "Then. since you arc
determined, suppose | must consoles
myself ovcrruled."
Consequently, arrangements were
completed and few days later tho
party started for Liverpool.
The ship on which their passage hat
been secured was the "Duncobin Cas-
tie" 1t was an unpopular steamer ans