The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-12-31
Swift VENGEANCE.

ono evening In n hamlet. A number OF
dcsperadoes had ridden Into the town
and were IN possession Of the saloon.
from which came chorus os yells.
was sitting Oh the vcranda OF the
tavern when | saw d young Mexican
man and woman 80 BY. The man was
good looking, and the girl was beau'
ty. Though could not understand
the Spanish lingo they talked, IT was
plain they were lovers, They separat-
Cd almost In front Of the tavern, not
scrupling to embrace at parting nor
caring that any one saw them In each
others arms. apparently obliyious TO
all except themselves.
Ten minutes later tho young man
was passing the saloon when several
Of the brawlerB came out roaring
drunk. brandIshing revolycrs.
"You say you can beat me shootin'T
yelled one to another. "I'll show you
what ! can do" And, aiming at the
young Mexican, he fired. The boy
sank down on the ground with moan.
heard a shrek and. looking toward
q house the girl had entered. saw her
staggering toward her lover. But she
made only few steps when she sank
down In a swoon. Her mother came
cut and carried her back to the house.
Several people put their heads out OF
their doors and windows and, seeing
the young man lying on the ground,
gathered round him and carried him
into the nearest dwelling. where he
died In few minutes.
II was the shock Of my life.
burned to see swift retrlbutlon meeted
out to the murderer, but there were
only few peaceable Mexlcans In the
town. and knew II was impossible.
would gladly have left the place al
once, but there was no conveyance ex
cept my horse. and | did not care U
risk n journey at night alone.
l sat during the evening on the tav
ern yeranda. endeavoring to quiet my
Indignation with tobacco. There was
half moon In the sky. The air wal
balmy, and perfect quiet relgned. Thu
people OF the town were all indoors
The dcspcradoes had drunk 80 hard tina
they were all doubtless In stupor. A
any rate. they made no noise. AM
they were still In the saloon. l knew
/ would not sleep " went to bed. y
continued TO sit where was, llghtin
one cigar from another, At midnigh
| was still there. The moon was bloc
| red lust above the horizon and CAV
!, no light. There was flaring lamp o
post In front Of the saloon. whic
partly illumlned the street
Ii was near morning when the me
came out OF the saloon, few at
time, and staggered past the tavern
stable below, where they had pt
their horses, Presently one went b
alone. whom, though the light was din
I recognized as the murderer. He ha
scarcely passed the tavern when | sa'
q figure. Il could not tell IL It was ma
or woman--emerge from behind
house opposite and scud along benin
him, keeping so far as possible
shadow.
Curiosity got the better OF me, and
followed the man and his shadowe
The sormer--I did not see the latter
was drawing near the stable, when
heard soft voice call:
"Signor"
The man paused and turned. VIII,
light there was shone directly on b
face. | can see that face now, bruta
bloated, with a background OF lor
touHIed hair and beard falling belo
his broad brimmed felt hat. He wol
a shabby coat over dark blue woolt
shirt. His trousers were tucked In b
boots.
Then I caught a glimpse Of anoth
figure whom | deemed to be the sha
over. The back was toward me, al
by the silhouette knew that 1t WI
woman l could hear her talking
the man, part In Spanish, part in En-
lish, but was not near enough to he
what she said.
Two more men came out OF L
saloon, and the man and the wom'
watched moved into shadow. ~
men went on past the place where Z
couple had been standing and enter
the stable. BY this time the gang /
gan to lead their horses out and we
making preparations to mount sor
tightening their saddle girths, sor
looking to articles strapped to thu
saddles. while others went back to t
saloon for last drink. Half an no
went by before they were all mount
J and ready to depart. Then ! heard o
Of them ask:
"Ail heref"
A few minutes later voice sa
"Sam is missing"
"Oh, saw him 60 OF with q Ga
: said voice.
: "well, I reckon he'll come when
gifts ready"
4 Then they all rode away.
I waited till the clatter Of tn
I horses hoofs had died away in I
Z distance, then strolled along. TAXI
1 care to keep In shadow, toward I
( place where the murderer and the v
{ man had disappeared. | listened,
Z could hear nothing. waited, still
q tening and peering into the darkne
All was still. I entered lane throu