Evening star., 1897-04-17

1t. At this moment the fathers eye rested
upon the form of his SON. and tears of
gratitude wet his rough cheeks There
was not an instant to lose-a less observ-
ing man than the son could have seen
that. In the fraction of a minute ne had
gained possession of his trusty rifle. showed
the muzzle through the window pane and
fired. His nerve was not the steadiest nor
the light the best. but simultaneously with
the discharge of the weapon the hickering
flame of the candle went out and the whole
weight of the pinioned mans form tested
the strength of his bonds. He had tainted.
With muttered curse. knowing not but
his father was dead, he picked up log
OF wood and with three giant sweeps bat
tered the door in. In another moment he
had cut the bonds which held the Unp
form of his father and placed him tenderly
upon his cot in the corner
Then with his father safe for the pres
ent. the thought OF PERSONAL danger came
to him. Rushing to the window overlook
ing the road. he saw in the gathering rwi-
light the forms of two men. they ap-
preached, with uncertain steps. The true
condition of affairs dawned upon him In
an instant. These men, temporarily con-
tent with the success of their plans had
left, imbibed freely of moonshine. and.
having heard the report of a rifle from
the cabin were now returning to loot the
premises. thinking it was all over, They
were soon to realize their error however,
for. before they had proceeded half a dozen
more steps. the report of a rifle again
broke the Stiffness, and the foremost of the
The narrator paused moment at this
juncture. and wiped the perspiration from
his brow. while his three auditors awaited
the resumption of his story with eagerness.
The other villain took to tree" he
Went on, but as the son injudiclously
showed his form at the window. rife ball
came crashing in and tore his good right
hand almost to pieces. His teeth were set
now and lcok of interse hatred glowed in
his eyes His opportunity came before
long, for the desperate moonshner Was
Imprisoned behind the. tree. Knowing
cspe TO be well nigh impossible. he hastily
reloaded his weapon. and getting down
upon his knees. cautiously peeped from his
covering, unable to resist the chance of
taking another shot at the man in the cab
i'm. IL is needless to tel you what followed.
except TO say that the single look caused
his DEATH which might otherwise have
been averted for some time, perhaps indefi-
nltely, as darkness was fast coming or.
There is little more TO relate. The older
man. he upon whom the torture had becn
inflicted, lived for many years after the
tragedy. and the son-well, he is living 20.
day."
And the son was never brought to trial.
L presume. spoke the treasury official with
a rising infection of his voice.
NO, sir, was the emphatic response
that is not the way things are done. I'm
our section of the country, al least Why
sir, he was one of the most talkcd.of men
IN the whole state, and strange as II may
seem. was elevated to a position of some
prominence. In fact, some of YOU may
have heard of him"
He arose as he spoke took a deep breath
OF cool air at the open window sluny his
orercoat over his arm and extended his
hand to his host with a hearty Good
night"
But his name: who was he?' 1 asked.
But the colonel, more used to such reyeIa-
tions than the treasury official and myself
made answer fer him. There was no word
spoken, bIt raising the hand he held in his
own. SO that it was fully exposed 10 The
electric light, We saw, with feelings OF awe
mat II bore ragged, unsightly scar ex-
Lending from the second joint of the fore
hrger clear to the wrist!