Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-01-31

valley of the Sacramento resounded
with the roar of a pistol shot.
A few minutes elapsed and the
dying body of Tom Redgrave was
dragged through the flames to the
open air The rescuer of Benton
advanced and leaned over the wound
ed man, and in firm voice inquir-
ed
"Haye you any word to leave with
your Infamous name?"
The only response was success
sion of bitter curses. The inquiry
was repeated and as death drew nigh,
the dying villain beckoned his worst
earthly enemy to his side, and said;
Hawkins, | have short confess
sion to make ere go, and only re-
peat it now that you may write, and
tell the injured parties that | am
dead, and how died"
"Well ?"came from the indignant
Hawkins.
"Only one short year ago left
New York City, and came here to
escape death a punishment that |
deserved. In my early schoolboy
days | learned to admire a young
girl of my own age, named Maggie
Benton. AS we advanced III years,
our intimacy increased until at the
age of twenty years we were mar
ried in opposition to the will of her
parents. The consequence was an
elopement. Far away from the
home of our childhood we passed the
first year of our married life happily.
At the end Of that time became
dissipated, and then commenced our
troubles. | know now what my
drunken mind failed to see then
how cruelty | beat her, how merci-
lessly | lashed her. Her parents
learned of this, and threatened me
with violence if did not change my
wicked life. ! was coward and de-
termined to leave home, fearful Of
the result of my actions. | took
passage on steamer bound for San
Francisco. Soon after my arrival
learned that Maggie had returned tc
her parents raving maniac, and
that her brother had started in pur.
suit of me. never saw him to this
day, and luckily for him too, for his
life would have been brought to q
speedy termination if we had ever
met"
Redgrave paused. The pain from
his wound caused him to move un-
easily upon his hard bed.
The sterner feelings toward the
wretched convict seemed to depart
from the heart of Emory Benton
as he remarked:
"Redgrave, the woman whom you
once called your wife, and her pa.
rents, who from sorrow found an
untimely grave, are revenged--I am
Emory Benton"
And | am Maggie Redgrave,
said the stranger, kneeling by the
side of her brother. Casting off hel
coarse wig, and brushing the dirt
and dust from her face, she continu
ed: Even you Emory Benton, die
not recognize your injured sister
The world calls me crazy, but yor
are aware | am rational enough tc
pursue and bring to death the cause
of all my despair. My work is done
Ha! Ha! my work is done" These
words told plainly the awful anguish
of the speaker.
Then my dream has been fulfill
ed--she has been the means of my
death" came from Redgrave, ere he
breathed his last.
One week after the occurrence
above narrated, every preparation
was made for the return of Emory
Benton and his sister to the East
The night previous to the day or
which the steamer was to sail, Mag.
gle Redgrave disappeared very sud
denly. Search was instituted, but
no trace could be found of the LOST
one until the next day, when hel
body was found on the beach. Sht
had drowned herself during thu
night, and was washed ashore.
There was now no inducement
for the lonely miner to return to thu
East, and he once more sought hi
former occupation, at which he con
tinued the remainder Of his days
never mentioning his distress to any
one, always feeling that the Benton'