Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-09-23
MisGellamenms.
A MIDNIGHT STRUGGLE

A MIDNIGHT STRUGGLE
Twenty years have elapsed since this
event happened, but | never shall for
get it. Bill Sutton and | had beer
working as partners on n mining claim
on the banks of Lake Owen, a small
lake in the eastern part of California,
near the Sierra Nevada mountains. We
had been very successful, and by dill
gent labor had amassed quito a respect
able fortune in gold dust. Other min
ers, working not a quarter of mile
from our claim, had labored equally as
hard, but luck was against them, and
their earnings had amounted to almost
nothing.
There were stragglers about tho mines
who would not hesitate to murder a
miner for his gold. if it were known that
he had any in his possession. Only the
night before, George Wolfang, a Ger
man miner, had been found weltering
in his blood, which was still encrusted
around bullet hole in his breast No
clew to the perpctrator of the deed could
be found. II was all shrouded in mys-
terry.
On the day Of which | am about to
make particular mention, was in our
cabin, after hard days work under a
scorching sun, weighing our gold dust
Bill had just started down to the lake
for water, preparatory to getting supper,
| had finished weighing the gold, and
was about to deposit it in the secret hole
in the floor of the cabin, which served
us as n bank, when my attention was at
tracted by slight noise at the only
window in the cabin.
dropped the bag of gold dust, and
raising my eyes in tho direction of the
window saw mans face pressed close
to the glass, with his villainous- looking
eyes fixed greedily on the bag of gold
dust which new lay on the floor. [
snatched my revolver from my belt and
cooked it, but when looked again the
face had disappeared.
Immediately rushed to the door and
opened it, but was only in time to catch
glimpse of the mans form as he dis
appeared in the thick foliage which sur
rounded the cabin
knew pursuit was useless, as dark
ness was fast approaching. With evil
forebodings as to the result of the dis
covery of the villain, which believed
him to be, returned to the cabin, and
found Bill Sutton there before me-
"What is the meaning of this p he
asked, as | entered, pointing to the
opened bag of gold dust on the floor.
| explained to him what had trans
pred during his absence.
"Tom," he said, gravcly when | had
finished, "tho end of this has not come
yet. While that villain knows that VIC
have such large amount of gold in
our possession our lives are not safe. -
It's my opinion that the fellow who
murdered and robbed George Wolfang
and the man you detected spying upon
you tonight, are one and the same per-
SON."
THAT is my belief" / said. II did
not like the look of his face II had
murderous look about it, and think the
owner of it would be capable of commit
ting any crime"
off he comes here We will give him u
warm reception" said Bill, az he care
fully reloaded bis reyolvcrs.
That night we retired with our revolt
vers under our pillows, but We we're not
molested, and everything passed off
TRANQUILITY. The next night passed of
in the same manner, as did the whole
week following, and we soon began to
forget the event Of the week previous
Bill said it was only Imagination, that |
had seen no face against the window at
all but he could not make me believe
that it was Imagination. was sure |
saw that face at the window. with its
devilish eyes peering greodily at the
bag Of gold dust. Ia the midst Of my
sleep | would awake with a nervous
start, imagining that he stood over my
bed with a knife appraised ready TO
plunge it into my heart.
One day Bill had occasion to go to
the neighborlng town Of Stubvillo, stu
ated about twenty miles distant. after
supplies, and was TO be absent over
night.
"If the owner Of that mysterious face
should happen TO pay you visit -
though | don't think ho will-don't be
afraid, but give him an ounce Of cold
lead, or a couple of inches Of steel, and
solve the mystery Of tho murder Of
George Wolfang." said Bill, as he
shouldered bis rife and started of for
Stubyille.
| watched him till his form was bid
den from view in the forest, aud then
entered the ce5iu.
Darkness soon came on, and, aftei
having securely barred the door and
window, | retired to bod, but coulc
not sleep. The moon. which had here.
tofore been hidden from view by tb,
clouds, now shone out with unusua
Il A 4 i