Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-10-15
THE OUTLAW.
He Came to Eat but the Meal Remained
 Tnflni.hed.

He Came to Eat but the Meal hemAanFo
 Unfinished.
 There vero six of us eating supper in the rude cabin on tho sheep ranch in the district of Victoria, Australia, when the door softly opened and in stepped stran- ger with a revolver in his hand. The three of us who faced him recognized him on the instant as a bushranger, and those with their backs toward him knew what he was as he calmly and quietly said:
 Sorry to disturb you, gentlemen, but thcrc is a cold rain falling out doors. Don't let my presence detract from the happiness of the occasion!' He was a man not over 10 years of age. His voice was soft and pleasant, and nc was evidently an educated man, though his hair was long, his face almost hidden by whiSkers and his garments were Tn rags and tatters. He had evidently been hiu- | ing in the bush n long time. Our weapons I were all stacked in the corner beyond where he stood, and the six of us were perfectly helpless
 Reminds me of old times to sec such n spread said the man after n moments | silence. II have lived on kangaroo, hare and mutton roasted over the fire in the bush until sometimes feel that am half | animal You might crowd down the table | and invite me to take scat. Every man moved along to give him a | place at the head of the table. | 'Sorry I'm raggcd and dirty" he said | as he throw down his rabbit skin cap, but you cant expect man to look like gentleman after year in tho bush | Thank you very much. will keep this | revolver on my knees, and it Is unneces- sary Ia observe that l shall not hesitate to use it if occasion rcquircs.
 | An cscapCd convict of course:' quericd the major as the man sat down to plate heapcd up with food.
 That's corrcCt," he replied.
 An escaped convict turned bush rangCr!''
 Just so. While most convicts join a gang havc so far worked alone. That's about the only difference. Some of you may have heard of me as The Shadow l have such way of disappearing when pursued by the police that the sobriquct has been bestowed upon me"
 And the police were in this neighhor- hood looking for you only this morning, gruwlCd the major who was the only Englishmnn in the party.
 | Yes, no doubt For that reason 1t Is now the safest place. You were all laugh ing and talking as I entered. Pray, don't let me cast dampCr on your spirits observe that five of the gentlemen present arc Americans.
 What uf it:' growlcd the major, who was out of temper at being practically held by an outlaw.
 'Nothing. except that I like Americans on general principles, and because they don't murder n man by inches for com hitting a trilling offcnsc against the law. won't deny the truth nor misstate facts. forged n check for $a to help me out of a boyish scrapc. l could have made 1t good 5O times later on. but was arrested, pushed to trial and hurried off tn Botany Bay on l j year sentence. For eight years was Il Iaz haN cursed and bounded. For !. years have lived like n wolf
 You gut your dcscrts,' said the major, whose temper was on edge. ''Scs, under the English law, which takes no account Oi } intent was young, of respectable fam ily and had never broken tho law bcforc So called friends got me drunk and then induced me to commit crime. l actually wrongcd no one. l r1ally broke no law, for was not myself when l scrawlcd g signature to that check" They all say that.
 'YcS. most of them. and I'll tell yOU that it iS q fact that eight out of ten sent J to this penal colony would not get thrc' months in jail in any other country" ) And what will be the cnd!'' asked on, of the group.
 of my clrCcr, you mcans Oh, tn, same old thing, I shall either die in tn, bush of shake bite ur spear wound, or thu bullets of the police will finish me of il the open. am an outlaw and must di' the death of one.
 As he was speaking caught glimps' of face at the open window back of him As looked n hand, holding n revolver, wa thrust in, followed by an arm, and an in stant later there was a strCam of fire anC ! sharp rrpurt. The weapon was within l four fC,t Ot tho back of the outlaws hea' when discharged. Tho bullet passed righ through his head and fell on the table The man was sitting bolt upright, knif and fork in hand His eyes closed. and h leaned forward until his face touched tn
 table, and he seemed to be saying grace
 It all came so sudden that never n man O 2 us had spoken or moved when five or si
 policemen came rushing into the cabin
 and their leader called out: He WAS n desperate man, and W
 wouldn't take any chances. Here, boys, gc
 hold of the carcass and drag it outdoor
 and see if he has anything worth takin
 away!' M. QUAD.