The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-06-04
Swift Vengeance.
!.
Originally


[Original.l
Travelling in New Mexico, l stopped
one evening in hamlet A number OF
desperadoes had ridden into the town
and were in possession of the saloon,
from which came chorus of wells.
l was sitting on the veranda of the
tavern when / saw young Mexican
man and woman go by. The man was
good looking, and the girl was beau
ty. Though l could not understand
the Spanish lingo they talked. it was
plain they We're lovers. They separat-
ed almost in front of the tavern. not
srupling to embrace at parting nor
caring that any one saw them in each
others arms, apparently oblivious to
all except themselves. 4
Ten minutes later the young man
was passing the saloon when several
Of the brawlers came out roaring
drunk, brandishing revolvers.
you say you can beat me shootin'"'
yelled one to another. "I'll show you
what l can do" And, aiming at the
young Mexican, he fred. The boy
sank down on the ground with moan.
l heard Shrek and, looking toward
house the girl had entered, saw her
staggering toward her lover. But she
made only a few steps when she sank
out 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 a few minutes.
1t was the shock of my life.
burned to see swift retribution meeted
out to the murderer, but there were
only a few peaceable Mexicans in the
town, and knew it was impossible.
would gladly have left the place at
once, but there was no conveyance ex-
cept my horse, and l did not care to
risk a journey at night alone
l sat during the evening on the tav-
ern veranda. endeavoring to quiet my
Indignation with tobacco. There was a
half moon in the sky. The air was
balmy, and perfect quiet reigned. The
| people of the town were all indoors.
| The desperadoes had drunk so hard that
they were all doubtless in a stupor At
any rate, they made no noise, and
they were still in the saloon. knew
| I would not sleep if l went to bed, so
continued to sit where l was. lighting
one cigar from another. At midnight
l was still there. The moon was blood
red, just above the horizon and gave
no light There was a faring lamp on
post in front of the saloon, which
partly illumined the street.
1t was near morning when the men
came out of the saloon, q few at q
time. and staggered past the tavern tc
a stable below, where they had put
their horses. Presently one went by
alone. whom. though the light was dim
l recognized as the murderer. He ha6
scarcely passed the tavern when l saw
figure-I could not tell if it was maj
or wo1nan-emerge from behind {
house opposite and scud along behind
him, keeping so far as possible il
shadow
Curiosity got the better of me, and
followed the man and his shadower
The former-1 did not see the latter
was drawing near the stable, when
heard a soft voice call:
"Signor"'
The man paused and turned. VIVA
light there was shone directly on hi
face. can see that face now, brutal
bloated, with background of Ion,
tousled hair and a beard falling below
his broad brimmed felt hat He wor
a shabby coat over a dark blue woolel
shirt. His trousers were tucked in hi
boots.
Then l caught a glimpse of anothe
figure whom l deemed to be the shad
over. The back was toward me, ant
by the silhouette l knew that it wa
woman. l could hear her talking t
the man, part in Spanish, part in Eng
lish. but was not near enough to hea
what she said.
Two more men came out of til
saloon. and the man and the woman
l watched moved into shadow. TIL
men went on past the place where tn
couple had been standing and entere,
the stable. By this time the gang be
gan to lead their horses out and wer
making preparations to mount. som
tightening their saddle girths. som
looking to articles strapped to thei
saddles. while others went back to tn
saloon for last drink. Half an hou
went by before they were all mounts
and ready to depart. Then I heard on
of them ask:
"4All here?''
A few minutes later a voice sale
Sam is missing"
ooh. l saw him go off with gal,
said a voice
well. reckon he'll come when b
gifts ready"
Then they all rode away.
I waited till the clatter of thei
horses hoofs had died away in til
distance, then strolled along. takin
care to keep in shadow, toward tn
place where the murderer and the VIC
man had diSannaared 7 liotonad nv,