Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-02-26

aware Of his departure by the noise of the wooden
latch. He then up to me, and took me in
his arms without saying word, and carrying me
to the bed, laid me gently down upon il.
You make yourself at home, snarled Johnny,
who just then came in again.
Always DO that, reckon, when I'm in a tavern
answered my guide, quietly pouring out and swal-
lowing another glassful. The gentleman shall
have your bed to-day You and Sambo may sleep
in the pgsty You have none though, believe 2
Bob = screamed Johnny furousy.
That's my name-Bob Rock
For the present. Kissed Johnny with sheer
The same as yours is Johnny Down, replied
Bob in the same tone. Pooh Johnny, guess we
know another q!
Rather kaIkilste we do, replied Johnny through
his teeth.
And have done many day laughed Bob.
Your the famous Bob from Sodoma in Georgia.
'Sodona in Alabama, Johnny. Sodoma lies in
Alabama, said Bob, filling another glass. Don't
you know that yet, you who we're above a year in
Columbus doin' all sorts Of dirty work
Better hold your tongue, Bob, said Johnny
with dangerous look at me.
POOH don't mind him /; he won't talk I'll answer
for it. He's lost the taste for tha,terin' in the
Jacinto prairie. Bat Sodoma. continued Bob. is
IN Alabama, man Columbus in Georgia. They
are parted by the Chaiahooche. But no:hin' lasts
IN this world as my old schoolmasieF used to say.
Pooh They've druv the Inluns a step further
over the Mississippi now. But it was a glorious
life-warnt tP
Again he filed his glass and drank
The information | gathered from this CONVERSE
ton TO the previous life and habits OF these two
men. had nothing in it very satisfactory
ing for me. In the whole of the southwestern
states there place that could boast Of being
the resort of so many outlaws and bad characters
as the town of Sodoma. 1t is situated, or was
situated, at least few years previously 10 the time
| spake OF, in Alabama Indian ground, and
the harbor Of refuge for all the murderers and out
casts from all the southern and western parts Of the
Union. Here. under Indian government they found
shelter and security and lrghtful were the crimes
perpetrated al this place. Scarcely day passed
without, assassination, not secretly comit,ed, but
in broad sunlight. Bands ofthese wretches, armed
with rifles and knives. used to cross the Chatahoo-
chic, and make inroads into Columbus; break into
houses, rob- murder il-treais women and then re-
turn in triumph TO their dens, laden with booty,
and laughing the laws 1t useless to think
OF pursuing them, or Of obtaining justice for they
were on Indian territory aud many Of the chiefs
were in league with them. At length General Jack
son, and the government took 1t up. The Indians
were driven the Mississippi, the outlaws and
murderers fed Sodoma itself disappeared and,
released from its troublesome neighbors, Columbus
is now as hourshing town as any in the west.
The recollectons OF their former life and exploits
seemed highly interesting TO the two comrades
and their communications becoming more and
more confidential Johnny filed himself glass,
and the conversation soon increased in animation.
could understand little Of what they said for they
spoke a sort Of thieves jargon. After time, their
voices sounded a confused hum in my ears, the
objects in the became gradually less distinct
and fell asleep
| was aroused. not very gently, by mulato
woman, who poured spoonful Of tea into my
mouth before had well opened my eyes She did
not at first appear to be attending TO me with any
great degree Of goodwill bu,by the time she had
! given half dozen spoonius, her womanly
4 sympaihes began to be awakened, aud her manner
| became kinder The tea did me an infinite deal
! OF good, and seemed to infuse new life into my
veins. | finished the cup, and the mulat,o laid me
! down again on my pillow with far more genileness
/ than she had lifted me up.
Cor Gorp cried she, what poor young man
| Berry weak. Him soon better One hour, massa,
| good soup.
Soup wha, do yOu want with soup p grumbled
Johnny
Him take soup. | cook it, screamed the wo-
"Worse for you if she DON'T Johnny" said
1 Bob
Johnny mu,tered something in reply, but did
not distinguish what it was, for my eyes closed, and
again fell asleep.
IL seemed IN me thut haunt been nFe minutes
slumberng when the mulato returned with the
soup The tea had revived me, but this gave me
strength aud when | had taken it was able TO
sit up in my bed,
i While the woman was feeding me, Bob was
eating his beefsteak 1t was a piece Of meat that
might have suficed for six persons, but the man
seemed as hungry as il he had not eaten anything
for three days He cut of wedges half as big as
his fist. swallowed them with rayenous eagerness,
and instead Of bread bit into some unpeeled pola-
toes All this was washed down with glass after
glass of raw spirits which had the effect of wake
ming him up, and infusing certain degree Of
| cheerfulness into his strange hnmnr. He still
spoke more of himself than Johnny but his recol-
lections seemed agreeable he nodded sefap-
proyngly. and sometimes laughed aloud At last
he began to abuse Johnny, for being, as he said,
such sneaking, cowardly feow-such treacher-
Gus, ialse.hearled galows-bird.
lbs true said he, 4 am gallows-bird enough
myself but then I'm open, and man can say
Pam a-iear'd but Johnny, Johnny, who'--
do not know what he was about to say, for
Johnny sprang towards him. and placed both hands
over his mouth, receiving blow in return that
knocked him as far as the door, through which he
retreaied cursing and grumblng.
soon fell asleep again, and whilst in that state
had confused sort Of consciousness of various
noises in the ROOM loud words, blows and shout
ing. Wearied as was, however | believe no
} noise would have reused me fully although hunger
at last did,
When | opened my eyes saw the mulatto wo-
man sitting by my bed, and keeping off the mus
quitoes. She brought me the remainder Of the
t hours more, to bring me beefsteak Before the
ttyo houra had elansed axoke hunorier than ever