Year: 1874

he lauullDB aDU CAultdHb SHoEI VI
the departing robber, rung in the ears
of the dazed and bewildered traveller
like the mirthless mockery of de-
mon Imperfectly recovered from
the treacherous blow so suddenly and
SO skillfully dealt by the outlaw, he
yet realized that be was a ruined
man; in moments of emergency the


mind works rapidly and while the
physical still quiyered with weakness,
the mental was scheming to revenge
the loss, the blow and more especial
ly the treachery, that had in few
moments so entirely changed the edes-
Tiny aud the disposition ofthe victim.
From a careless, genial-minded man,
whose life though full of ups and
downs, had as yet Known no great
sorrow or Overwhelming disappoint-
ment, he was almost instantaneous
ly transformed into moody, revenge
full being who would stop at nothing
TO carry out the plans to which be
from that moment devoted his life.
There on the mountains side, the
most impressible of the visible forms
of nature, which but few moments
before had been to him scene of
beauty, that all unconsiously to him
was an elevating and refining inhu-
cree. In the early. cheerful morning
which mans rapacity and guilt had
as by wizards blasting touch chang
ed to the leaden cheerless hue of
bleak December. The positive good
and the better possibilities of his ma
5are were by the subtle alchemy
of evil changed to the worst phases
Of human passion, to which the Ii


GERS rage is quietude He deeply
swore to revenge himself upon Lew
IS and his whole gang, not merely TO
have them imp: isoned or killed, that,
to bis swelling rege would have been
too tame, too commonplace. But to
iunt, worry, harass, disappoint and
iaally destroy when he bad made
their lives burden and curse.


His horse seemed 10 realize that
some great misfortune had hefallen
bis rider. All the springiness was
gone from his walk, and instead Of
the proudly arched neck and coquet-


sh champing, it was with bowed
head and funeral pace, with which


ie descended the mountain with his


netamorphosed rider Returning to
the tavern where he passed the night
before, he carelessly told them what
nad happened, speaking of it lightly


as one OF the ordinary incidents OF
adventures in travellers life, and
merely necessitating return to bis
western home and making another
beginning. Nothing very unusual in
that, ina Wastern mans experience.


he offered his horse for sale saying
ne could no longer keep him and
that lie regretted being compelled to
part with his horse more than the
loss Of his money. The people oi
course were both loud and profuse in
expressions of sympathy which be
received very coolly, having fully
convinced himself that they were all
more or less implicated, and for that
reason be pretended to treat his loss


so lightly. While talking Of his plans,
now long it would take him to re-
turn home and what be would do
when he got there, he was inwardly
deyoting them all to the internal del


ties as being connected either active
~ or psssively with the robbers.


The Landlord Hospitality insisted


on bis stopping with him for a day
or two, to recover from the shock
| and to give him better chance tc
sell his horse Ga pretence that The
rest and care the animal would re


ceive would enhance his value, but
really in the hope Of learning some
| thing of the robbers, be consented Il
stay aud was most kindly treated by
| every one. All were, or seemed
anxious to atone in some degree by
by their kindness for the misfortune


be had met with. OF course the


news soon spread through the sparse
lily settled neighborhood and many
called to condole with the stranger
The robbers and their Chief were The
staple, which for purposes of bis, owl


the traveller encouraged and the con


yersation confined to that channel
| Whether be learned anything suita


bic to bis purpose or not, the stran
| ger gave no sign, but often reverted
| 10 the size of the robbers, their com


plexions, etc, calling attention to biz
own and neutrality-suspicious. witt
present and absent persons. Tha
be was of forid complexion anC


had light colored hair was particu
larly noted and often afterwards men
toned when this and other robberiei


were spokenof On leaving, he bad'
! all good bye and thanked them fo
their friendly interest in one neye
again likely to travel that way or b


seen by them.


! And SO be passed away and hi
adventure was added to the stor,