Year: 1864

or so, | would like you to see the bear.
two hundred yards from here


Il will not only look at it, replied the
traveller, dismounting and fastening his
horse, but, il not too heavy, | will take
it along for you, seeing am going your
way


The hunter thanked him in a most cor
dial manner, and then, as if to make him
self agreeable and keep up the converse,
tion, inquired where the other was from,
whittier journeying, and so forth and
learned in reply that the latter resided 10
Albany, was IA merchant in good business.
aud was travelling partly for his health,
and partly with the view of making an
extensive land purchase for future specua
ton


We'll here we are exclaimed the hunt
er. as the two emerged from the dense thick
ct, through which they had slowly forced
then way into the more open wood here
we are !! and now | will show you as fiue
and tat beast as you ever saw. Observe
where point my rifle


He stepped back some eight or ten feet,
deliberately raised the piece to his eye and
pointed the muzzle directly at the head of
the traveller There was a fash, loud
report, and the victim fell like log, his
face covered with blood


This might, or might not have been
the first crime committed by the man with
the rifle. But as the traveller iell he shook
violently from head to foot yet he ran to
his victim, and hurriedly robbed him of a
purse, pocket book, gold watch and
chain, some curious seals. diamond breast
pin, and diamond ring, which he fairly
tore from his finger Then he dragged
the ody into the thicket, picked up his
rife, plunged madly through the bushes
TO the road, mounted the travellers horse,
and dashed away from the awful scene


We must now suppose lapse Of twenty
years.


In the spring of 1887 there lived in the
city of New York, banker and million.
aire, whom we shall call Stephen Edwards.
He owned a p4latial mansion, splendidIy
furnished, in the very heart of the town,
and he and his wife were among the leaG-
ers of the fashionable world. They had
beautiful daughter, just turned OF sweet
sixteen, who was about to be married to
foreign nooeman, and great preparations
were making for the happy event


One day, about this period, as the great
banker stood cOnversiDg with gentleman
from another city, who had called to see
him on business, he observed the latter
suddenly turn very pale and begin to trem
bic


My dear sir he said. in the usual tone
of off hand sympathy, what is the matter,
are yon i'll p


a little faint, sir. but rothing to cause
alarm replied the other, hurretly L
am snhject to similar spells If you will
be kind enough to excuse me for ten min
utes or so, | will take short walk and re-
turn in better condition.


In ten minutes he did return, reported
himself quite well, calmly proceeded to
finisr his business with the banker, and
then respectfully took his leave.


1t Was, perhaps, d week after is that
one night, the banker was sitting before
the fire in lis library, when d servant came
in aud presented him a letter He took it
Wi h = yaWn, opened it in The most indo
lent aud indifferent manner possible, but
had Mt read dozen words, before he
came up with start, turned deadly pale,
ani trcmbied SO that the paper ratified
lie finished the n0te-fOr it was rather a
noie than et:er-Tnrked one hand nerg
nusiy at his throat, and with the other
ciasped his forehead and temples For a
minute or two he seemed to be choking in
to caimness, by ali iron will, some terrible
emotion, and be so far succeeded as to ad
dress the waiting servant in an ordinary
tone.


James, he said, who gave you this let
ter?'


A man, sir, as said he'd wait for an an-
swer'


Then | suppose he is waiting d.


Yes, sir


Very we'll, show him in


Soon there was light tap on the door,
and the banker said come in,' in an ordi.
nary tone.


The servant opened the door, ushered
IN the stranger, and Immediately withdrew.
Inc latter was man verging on sixty, of
rough appearance and coarse attire. He
wore an old grey overcoat, buttoned to the
throat and a pair of green goggles, aud
his whole dress was saturated with rain


Take seat, said the banker, pointing
to chair near the fire.


No, thank you, I'll stand, was the gruff
reply You got my letter, and of course
know my business he added


You ailude to this, l suppose, replied
the banker, producing the letter which
had caused him so much perturbation.


Yes


i do not understand it; you must have
made mjstaka'