Litchfield enquirer., 1829-03-05
From the Amsrican Zrayeiler. A TALE OF THE WEST.

At the close of cold December day ,as the landlord of the Cup and Bottle, ,near the village of Schenectady ,had closed the shut ters of his snug bar-room, and heaped his ample hearth with fresh supply of fuel, a loud knocking was heard at the door. He was standing undetermined in his own mind whether to let the traveller in or not, when the door opened,a ,and a strange figure entered with all the familiarity of an old acquaintance. Standing his long rife in the corner,he began to lay aside his snow clad garments, displaying beneath a pair of horseman's pistols, and double edged scalping- knife, and without noticing the greeting salutation of the landlord on bis entrance, of its "being cold work for chil- dren to go barefoot" After having made these arrangements, and adjusted himself to his ease on the oak settle, he looked up, and called, in stern voice, for gin cock tail. The landlord quickly brought it, which he presented with low bow, and a look of as much assurance as the condemn- ed criminal assumes when he sees the place of execution-speaking at the same time in an affected tone,--
 "From the lakes, I suppose, sir!"
 "What ground have you to suppose any such thing, old Boniface2 ar'nt my cap coated as white behind as old Grizzy's tag locks !" said tho hunter.
 'sI hope no offence, sir" snid the land- lord "l didn't observe your condition.- Sit a little nearer the fire; and, kind sir, won't you take little of my last years ale ?''
 "No; | had as live drink pigeons milk. Do you take me for one of your smelling bottle gentry' These hands would tell a different sarvice, if they could speak. Give mo some brandy, and drink your ale your self, if you like it." The maid had before this been busily employed in setting the table having now left the room on an errand ,lhe old chieftain pulled off his disguise, and showed the hard features of one, who the landlord though, had long since gone to his long home.- "Master John," said he, "alive and we'll you walk late-to-night." "Not as you wish me to, Old Boniface ; but our day of reckoning has at length come," said the hunter. "I have help enough to pitch you out of tho window, you old croaker," said the landlord !; beside, there is company of regulars, SO Dame Goblin said, at the Old Guard House, searching with orders to take you, dead or alive"
 "Let them search where they will, ,"said the hunter. "The eagle scars far above the linnet 1; besides that, have means enough to disguise myself from them, if you will assist me-"
 ''Is it me you ask to screen prescribed criminal me to aid murderer ?''-said Boniface.-"Wherefore would be the cus- tom Of my house 2"
 "Where your soul will soon be, you can- ting hypocritc," said the hunter, Eff you do not do it quickly"
 "Well," said the landlord, "what can I do?''
 "Give me your daughter, as a pledge of your fidelity, till the chase is o'er."
 "Ask what else you willy said the ag- onized landlord-"ask all my possessions : but take not from me my Eliza, the pride of my heart"
 The hunter raised his cooked rifle ''give her or die '" said he, with the firm tone of one de,ermined-"Sh shall-not be the worse foe it; do you hesitate, you cra- ven coward f''