Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1903-03-13

and unexpected announcement.
Himself something OF practical
joker it was natural that the dramatic
student of human nature should be
suspicious lest he fall victim to some
deep-laid plot to bring down upon his
head the laugh that cuts so keenly.
But Charlie looked as grave as a
deacon Had he been attending the
obsequies of the man who was hung,
he could not have appeared more sol
emn.
Matters of this character always pos
sessed for him a peculiarly strong in
terest. and he was eager to CLEAN the
particulars.
well, it isn't given to most of US
to see a man hung, and then meet him
afterward alive and well. Tell me
about it, Charlie, my boy"
There isn't a great deal to narrate.
At the time an instruction in Chill
was causing the most intense excite
ment, and some very bloody battles
were fought about Santiago.
81 CHANGED to be, as l said, in Val
paraiso One day l found myself in
crowd of excited citizens and soldiers.
in the midst of whom stood a prisoner
"a spy, caught red-handed, upon
whom they were about to execute sum
mary judgment.
THAT was Captain Nathaniel.
'The word was given, and I heard
a roar from five hundred threats as
the wretch was jerked off his feet.
zone moment l saw him as he
dangIed in space, hands and feet strik-
ing out wildly-a spectacle shall new
forget to my dying day.
There came a sudden shot, and
Hedge fell to the ground in heap
some one had cut the rope with we'll
aimed bullet.
Immediately the deuce of a row
broke out, but bless you, the affair /
died away as speedily as it began, and /
then, gradually, it dawned upon the /
minds of the crowd that great hoax !
had been successfully carried out
For when they looked for Hedge, |
in order to complete their artistic lit
tie job, behold the man who had al /
ready been partially hung had disap-
peared. nor were they able to discover
him, though Valparaiso was thorough
ly searched.
THAT is my little story, and I am
almost ready to swear that our Capt.
Brand in yonder is the identical
Hedge. grown little gray in the SER
vice of beating the world, but just
the same old sixpence"
Artemus nodded. and they separated
for a time.
But their meeting had not been IN
observed.
The ubiquitous baron had his eye on
them, and possibly figured out some
wonderful game as connected with
his mysterious conversation.
Charlie went back to Airline and
Capt Brand, and the three chatted for
a while
Then Airline graciously consented to
play several favorite pieces. while
Charlie idly glanced through a book
made up OF fugitive songs and music
1t was while doing this he suddenly
came upon an opportunity to make
another test of the mans identity. So
Charlie handed the well-worn book of
music to the fair girl.
''Play that for mean old favorite-
always revives pleasant recollections.
Charlie was so situated that a side
glance into massive pier glass gave
him an excellent view of the man who
had arisen from the dead
What Stuart had so accidentally, yet
fortunately, come across was the Chi
liam National Hymn. He watched the
effect upon Capt. Brand.
When the first rather weird notes OF
this Spanish-American music throbbed
upon the air, Brand sat bolt upright
upon the divan.
Involuntarily he seemed to gasp for
breath; his tongue partly protruded
from his mouth, as though he were
being choked. while his hand crept up
to his throat and clutehed his loose |
collar, as if TO tear 1t away. {
Charlie exulted in the sight. 1t con-
frmed his suspicious.
There was no longer the faintest {
doubt remaining in his mind.
This was the man, S
Finally they said goodnight. I
Charlie managed to whisper few a
sentences in Arline's ear while the |
captain waited at the door. so that C
he was assured of seeing her again t
on the morrow.
Capt. Brand led her away. b
One smiling glance she sent back
over her plump shoulder-gods. what e
a thrill it gave the bachelor who re-
ceived It,
Here was a miracle.
He felt dazed-felt as though he /,
walked in dream. He who had scott d
ed at such a ridiculous thing as love a