Year: 1878

Al tHo AUTUMN OI loli, WDlle the
woods were bright with the variegated
hues which follow the light touches
of early frost, a mounted traveller
was pursuing his way through a
dark, broad, lonely forest in western
New York.


He had ridden three miles since
seeing a human habitation, and he
had two to go before he could get
sight Of another. He was descending
a hill into gloomy valley, through
which flowed a shallow, but swift
running stream; and on reaching the
water he permitted his thirsty beast
to stop and drink.


At that moment q man came out
from cluster of bushes into the
road. or horse path, on the other side,
of the stream. This man was dressed
like hunter, and carried a rifle on
his shoulder. In his appearance
there was nothing that indicated
hostility or wicked design. He was
OF medium size, compactly built,
with intellectual features, and cer-
tain air of gentility-seeming rather
as one abroad from some settlement
for days sport, than professional
hunter.


All this the mounted traveller care
fully noted, as he crossed the stream
to continue his journey, and when
they came together a pleasant salu-
tation was exchanged.


"Fine weather for travelling, sir"
replied the man with the gun


"And for hunting, also, ! should
suppos c." smiled the other on the
horse.


~Yes, there is game enough" re-
piled the other; "but / am not a
good hunter, and can only show one
bear for my days work so far, and
that is almost useless TO me, because
1 have no means to take it away. /
would willingly pay dollar for the
use of horse like yours for a couple
Of hours. II you could spare five
minutes or so. would like you to
see the bear; 1t is only back behind
the bushes, some two hundred yards
from here"


Il will not only look at It," replied
the traveller, dismounting and fast
ening his horse. ~but il not too heavy.
1 will take it along for you, seeing
that am going your way"


The hunter thanked him in a most
cordial manner, and then, as IL to
make himself agreeable, and keep
ing up the conversation, inquired
where the other was from, whittier
journeying, etc.; and learned in reply
that the latter resided in Alabama, a
merchant in good business, and was
travelling partly for his health, and
partly with view for making an ex-
tensive land purchase for future
speculation.


"Well, here we are," exclaimed the
hunter, as the two emerged from the
dense thicket through which they
had slowly forced their way, into the
open woods, sand now I will show
you as fine and fat a bear as you
ever saw. Observe where / point
with 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 flash, loud report, and
the victim fell like a log, his face
covered with blood.


This might Or might not have been
tie first crime committed by the man
with the rifle. But as the traveller
fell, the rifle slipped through his
hands, and he shook violently from
head to foot; yet he ran to his VIC
tim and hurriedly robbed him OF his
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 his body into the thicket,
picked up his rifle, plunged madly
through the bushes to the road,
mounted the travellers horse, and