The Forrest City times., 1892-05-20
A TALE OF A TRAMP.

the dusty highway that sultry August afternoon. The terrible heat of n burning sun had been too much for his feeble strength and he had sunk to the earth overpowered by stiHing atmosphere that seemed like breath from the scorching interior of some fiery-hearted volcano
 Most people would have bundled the old ragamuffln of to the workhouse immediately. helpless and sun-smitten as he was, but she was made of dif- serent stuff. this tender. hearted little Aunt Libbie of ours. She hastily sum- moned the whole household out into the heat and dust of the highway. and made the hired man and myself raise the almost lifeless form of the old beggar and put it tenderly to bed in the tiny spare room that she had re- served when we came to live with her. while Maggie went in haste for Dr. Palmer.
 There was a mournful tragedy hid den away in the buried past of this soft voiced. tender hearted little old lady, though no one ever would have suspected it from her sweet face and calm and placid appearance. Long years before when Aunt Libbie was still fresh and beautiful young girl. her heart had been won by handsome. dashing young stranger called Tom Dacre As he seemed steady and re- liable and the soul of honor. they be. came engaged after a short courtship, even though she knew nothing what ever of her handsome lovers ante- cedents. For a while everything went on happily and the wedding-day rap idly drew near, then came a thunder clap.
 A neighbor Deacon Burgess, bought large tract of land known as the Edmonds estate and went to the city one day to draw funds from the bank with which to pay for it. As it was n long drive and he did not expect to get back until late, he took his son. Henry. an intelligent lad of fifteen, with him for company,
 About ten O clock that night the boy came rushing back into the Burgess homestead, with face like ashes and great mortified eyes, and with all the incoherence of extreme terror he told an awful story. He said that he and his father had nearly reached home again, when, as they were going through a dark and lonely strip of woodland, highwayman suddenly sprang from the bushes by the road side and seized the horse by the bridle. Pointing pistol straight at the dea- cons breast he demanded his money. The carriage lamps were burning brightly. but the mans face was en- veloped to the eyes in a thick. dark muffer so he could not be identified.
 The deacon was brave man though somewhat along in years and he was not one to give up his hard earned savings without a struggle. Leaping suddenly from the carriage he grap- pied with the robber at the same time calling upon the boy for assist ance.
 The onslaught was so unexpected surprise. The cloth was torn from his face in the struggle but before the frightened boy could render his father the slightest assistance the robber pulled the trigger and Deacon Burgess fell headlong to the earth
 The boy leaped into the bushes and escaped in the darkness; but as he fled from the fatal spot he threw a nasty glance behind him and saw the assassin leaning over the prostrate form of his victim as he groped in the breast for the roll of bills that had been the occasion of the crime
 The boys story created the utmost consternation at the Burgess home- stead. kn armed party of neighbors was hastily summoned. and set out at once for the scene of the encounter. The terrible tale was but too true. They found the unfortunate man pros trate in the road and weltering in blood, shot through the breast while the old horse stood hitched to a tree close by The money was gone.
 Deacon Burgess lived until the fol- lowing day and recovered his senses perfectly toward the last Both he and the boy Henry swore most posi- lively that the perpetrator of th he dastardly deed was no other than Tom Dacre. But no earthly power could save the wounded man. as he was bleeding internally, and at 3 o'clock in the afternoon he breathed his last
 It was two days before Tom Dacre could be found but at the end of that time he was arrested returning from a neighboring town. The officers kept the infuriated citizens from lynching him only with the greatest difficulty. and that very evening they started for the city with their prisoner
 Not long after they set out as Aunt Libbie sat with dry eyes and stony heart in the little garden. we'll known voice called to her from the shrubbery; and a momout later Tom Dacre was at her side. He had broken away from his captors and succeeded in eluding them in the darkness; but he could not leave the place. perhaps forever without bidding his sweet heart farewell and at the risk of his life he had sought her side for that purpose.
 He swore that he was innocent of the crime of which he stood accused and begged for single word of love and consolation to cheer him in the long, dreary years of his coming exile; but all in vain. The proofs of his guilt were too strong, and Aunt Libbie drove him from her side with horror and loathing; even while her own heart was breaking with the pain of the separation.