The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1891-07-10
A SILENT THREAT.

When the war ended the two men
drifted apart, but my conviction re-
manned mistaken. knew as well as
knew anything that they would come to-
gether at the proper time.
The assassination of Capt. Ross last
week in q western town did not surprise
me in the least, 1t was just what i had
looked for-just what he had expected.
A detailed account Of the murder appar-
emily throws nolight uponit. The news
papers merely state that an unknown
person fired at the captain through the
window Of his office at night and made
his escape.
The inquest brought out no clew. 1t
was in evidence that stranger-a stout,
squarely built man-had been seen in
the village that afternoon. and that he
had not been visible after the killing.
That was all. There was nothing to con-
meet the stranger with the murder.
And yet when / read this brief item at
a,distance of thousand miles from the
scene of the tragedy, it was all very
plain TO me.
The newspaper dropped from my hand
and my thoughts travelled backward to
the last year OF the war.
Private Gray first attracted my atten-
ton under very peculiar circumstances.
When saw him he was in disgrace, and
was suffering the penalty.
Between two posts barrel was nailed
IN slanting position 1t had no head.
and no bottom--notlling but the sides.
Private GRAY, closely guarded by sol
der, was hard at work shoveIing sand
into this bottomless barrel.
It was very hot day, and it was very
unsatisfactory work As fast as the sand
was shoveled in it ran out, and the Job
was apparently endless.
People stopped to look at the prisoner.
sand joined the crowd 1t struck me
then that Private Gray was dangerous
looking man. He was short and stout,
with square body, square shoulders, a
square head and asquare face, with bull
dog jaws.
He did not shirk his disagreeable work.
He went on steadily. without looking
either to the right or to the left.
Finally ] turned away and walked off.
Ny friend, Capt Ross, followed me
What do you think of it: the captain
asked.
Who is he, and what is it about?" /
inquired.
Private Gray Of my company-he was
imparfinent and had him punished,
was the reply.
He has sullen, determined looking
face" ! said.
Yes " responded the captain, "he will
bear watching
Later in the day the soldier was re-
leased ! sat talking with Ross and a
group Of officers in front of their quar-
ters when Gray came in sight.
The man did not stop, but he slack
ened his pace and looked straight at the
captain.
A dead silence fell upon the group.
That square resolute face, with its deep
set, blazing eyes, fascinated us.
1t was oily q second or two, but the
look that Gray darted at the captain was
full Of deadly meaning.
tAheml That was Gray, wasn't it,"
said young lieutenant.
Ross did not answer. His face was
zery pale, and, muttering some excuse,
he rose and went to his room.
'.Did you notice that fellows lookg-
said an officer
YES" replied one Of the party: ''it
was more than o loOk--it was silent
threat, and there was murder in it,
The next day spoke to Ross about
Private Gray.
.'0h. that's all right" he answered,
with an air of relief, q have had him
transferred-detailed to work in the
Quartermaster's department in Mobile. :
Ibid not meet the captain again for
years. He talked very freely about old
times, and then his face clouded.
do you remember Private Gray!n he
said.
What! has he turned up againy' Il
aueried.
Several times, replied the captain.
'.0n three different occasions he has met
me III out Of the way places where he
was evidently waiting for me. Each
time the sudden appearance Of other per-
sons prevented him from making any
demonstration. lie did not even appear
70 recognize me. but quietly passed on.
What do you Think
u think, said the captain. that he
means to kill me. and | think that he
xill do 1t some day"
We turned our conversation to more
pleasant matters. but did no. forget
what my friend had said.
A long time after our meeting Ross
wrote . business letter to me. and in a
postecript mentioned the fact he had
been shot az one dark night while he
was going home from his Office. Hehad
armed that q man resembling Gray had