The Port Gibson reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 185?-1857, 1853-12-07
The Travellers Story.

A party Of travellers were seated around
blazing fire, in a tavern upon the Alleghany
mountains. The coach had broken down,
and perforce we we're detained until the next
morning. We had finished substantial y r.
gnia supper, and each one with his feet on the
fender, and cigar in his mouth, ruminated
upon the storm without and the warm cosy
comfort within. Each one in his turn told
his story or related an anecdote and at last
the Joke came round TO hollow checked IN
diyidual. who, until then. had remained silent.
Gentlemen" said he, fixing a piercing
grey eve upon one Of the company Span
iard-who, uninvited had drawn up to the
fire. "some ten years ago came near being
murdered in this very house"
At this moment the Spaniard got up and
was going out Of the room. when the narrator
arose and locking the only door in the room,
took the Spaniard by the arm aud leading him
to an old picture surmounted by the English
coat of arms. in guilt work, ran his finger
along the motto:
" Honi soft qu mally pense,"
said, displaying at the same time a butt-end
of a large pistOl-"Evil to him who evil
thinks"
The Spanird smiled, and said he did not
feel we'll, but the stranger swore that no man
should leave the room until he had finished
the story. Requesting us not to be amazed ut
his conduct he proceeded:
Some years ago (said he,) was travelling
over these mountains on horseback and stop
ped at this very house. The landlord was ex-
trcmely Obsequious in attending to my COM
fort, aud alter supper he requested me to JOIN
him ia a bottle of wine. Nothing loath. L
consented, and before midnight, four empty
bottles stood on the table end, and he was
acquainted with all my business.
Il very imprudently remarked in the
course of conversation, that | had very large
sum Of money in my valise and be politely
informed me that he would take care of 1t till
morning. Although somewhat intoxicated !
did not approve Of leaving it in bis charge,
and took my yalise in my hand, retired to
bed. After had undressed, | placed my pis-
tolls under my pillow, and carefully, os |
thought, examined the room. | laid myself
down. and sunk into ftful sleep.
a" suppose It must have been two hours
after when [ awoke, and collecting my scat
tered senses, ! endeavored to think what l
had been about.
"Suddenly / detected a noise nnder my
bed. What was my horror when l observed
small piece of carpet, stretched along my
bedside move as though something was under
il. A cold perspiration started from every
more but. thank God. had presence OF
mind enough to prepare for the worst. Grasp
ing pistol in my right hand, and hiding 1t
under my bed cloths feigned to be asleep.
"In an instant afterwards l saw trap door
which had been concealed by carpet, eau
tiously lift up, and behcld my landlord with
n dark-lantern in his hand directing his gilt
tering eyes towards me. Still l moved not {;
but as he turned bis back to put the lantern
ON the floor fred, and
"You killed him, did you !" shrieked the
Spaniard, almost jumping from his seat.
"SiIence till have finished it" said tue
slranoer. and again he touched the end OF his
veapon. 1.-The instant that fired, the vii
liam fell l started up. and merely pulling
NV overcoat on, snatched up the lantern that
he had dropped, and crept cautiously down,
with my valise in my hand, to the stable IL
wa. a bright moonlight night and l soon sad
died INV horse. l galloped ten miles, when
met party Of wagoners, and iu their comPa-
nv | returned to the house but despite our
search. not even as much as the williams body
could be found. But if | can once put my
hand upon him, if it costs me my life, nc
shall die the dogs death.
The stranger arose and caught the Sganlaro
by the throat. Tearing his shir. collar nc
showed the mark of wound on his neck
We need not say any more. Three weeks
after that, Joseph Gomez was hanged 10 .ne
citv.of Cumberland, upon his own confession
of having murdered no less than i've travel
ers In that very room. sH