Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-11-30
The TRAVELLERS STORY.

Ii a. GNAt ELEhsS > IORG'
A party of travellers story were seated
around blazing fire. in a tavern upon the
Allegheny mountains. The coach had
broken down. and -perforce we were de-
Caiued until the next morning. We had
finished a substantial Virginia supper, and
each one, with his feet on the fender, and
a cigar in his mouth, ruminated upon the
storm without, and the warm cozy comfort
within. Each one, in his turn. told a sto-
ry or related an annecdote and at last
the Joke came round to hollow checked
Individual who, until then, had remained
silent
Gentlemen" said he, fixing a pier
cling grey eye upon one of the company
a Soauiard-who, unlimited. had drawn his
chair up to the fire, "some ten years ago
l 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, took the Spaniard by the
arm, and leading him up to an old picture
surmounted by the English coat of arms.
in gilt work, ran his finger along the mot
to:
I" Honi soft qui nal penso
and, displaying at the same time the butt
end of a pistol Evil to him who evil
thinks
The Spaniard smiled. and said he did
not feel well, but the stranger swore that
no man should leave the room until he
had finished his story. Requesting US not
to be amazed at his conduct he procee-
ded
u Some years ago. (sAid be. WAS
travelling over these very mountains on
horseback and s:opPe at this very house
The landlord was extremely obsequious
IN attending to my comfort and after sup
per he requested me Join him in a bottle
OF wiue. Nothing 10th, | consented, and
before midnight, four empty bottles stool
on the. table end. AMI he was acquainted
with all my business.
[ very imprudently remarked in the
course of nveriatiJn, that l had very
large sum of money in my valse and he
politely informed that he would take care
Of it until morning. Although somewhat i'll
toxicated, did not approve of leaving it
in his. charge, and | took my valise in my
hand, and retired to bed. After l had
undressed, placed my pistols under my
pillow, and carefully, as [ thought, exam
iued the room. laid myself down, and
sunk into itful sleep.
- suppose it must have been two hours
when | uwoke, and collecting my scat
tered senses, | endcavorcd to think what
had been about.
" Suddenly, detected a noise under my
bed. What was my horror when | OBJ
served small piece of carpet, stretched
along my bedside, move as though some
thing was under it, A cold perspiration
started from every pore bat, thank God!
1 had presence of mind enough to prepare
for the worst. GrASpiug II pistol in my
right hand. and hol ling i. under my bed
clothes ieigned sleep.
In an instant afterwards [ saw a trap
door which had been concealed By car
pet, cautiously lifted up, and beheld my
landlord with dark lantern in his hand,
directing his glittering eyes towards ME.
Still moved not ; but as he turned his
back to put the lantern on the floor, fl
red and
&" You killed him, did you " shricked
the Spauiard. almost jumping from his
seat.
g Silence till have finished it !" said
the stranger, and again he touched
the butt end of his weapon. 1.-The in
slant that fired the villain fell star
ted up, and merely pulling my overcoat
on, snatched the lantern that he dropped,
and crept cautiously down. with my valise
in my hand, to the stable 1t was bright
moonlight night, and soon saddIed my
horse. galloped ten miles, when met
a party of wagoners, and in their compa-
ny returned to the house but despite
our rigid search. not even as much as the
Villains body could be found. But if 1
can once put my hands upon him, if it
costs me my life, he shall die the dogs
death"
The stranger arose and caught the
Spaniard by the throat. Tearing open
his shirt collar. he showed the mark of a
wound upon his neck. We need not say
more. Three weeks after that, Joseph
Gomez was hanged in the city of Cumber-
land, upon his own confession of having
murdered no less than five travellers in
that very room