Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-10-28
THE TRAVELLERS STORY

blazing lire, III tavern upon the Allie
ghany mountains. The coach had bro
ken down, and perforce we were detained
until the next morning. We had finished
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 COSY COM
fort within. Each one in his turn told
story or related an anccdote: and at last
the Joke came round to hollow checked
individual, who, until then, had remain.
ed silent.
Gentlemen" said he, fixing pier
clng grey eye upon one of the company
a Spaniard-who, unlimited had drawn
his chair 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, and leading him up to an old pic
ture surmounted by the English coat of
arms, IN gilt work, ran his finger along
the motto:
g Honi soft qui NAL pense,"
said, displaying at the same time but
end of a large ristol-"Evil to him who
evil Thinks
The Spaniarl 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 pro-
cecded:
Some years ago, (said he,l | was
travelling over these mountains on horse
back and | stopped at this very house.
The landlord was extremely obsequious
IN attending to my comfort, and, after
supper he requested me to join him in
bottle of wine. Nothing loath, consen-
ted, and before midnight fnlnr empty DO.
ties stood on the table end and he was
acquainted with all my business.
Il very imprudently remarke ed in the
course of conversation, that [ had verv
large sum of money in my valise and he
politely informed Inc that he would take
care OF it until morning. Although some
what intoxicated, | did not approve of
leaving it in his charge, and took my
valise in my hand, and retired to bed
After | had undressed, placed my pistols
under my pillow, and carefully, as |
thought, examined the room. laid my
self down, and sunk into fitful sleep.
Il suppose it must have been two
hours after when | awoke, and collecting
my scattered senses, Iendeavored to think
what had been about.
Suddenly detected noise under my
bed. What was my horror when OBJ
served a small piece of carpet, stretched
along my bedside move as though some
thing was under it. A cold perSpiration
started from every pore; but, thank
God | had presence of mind enough to
prepare for the worst. Grasping pistol
in my right hand, and hiding it under
my bedclothcs feigned to be asleep.
In an instant afterwards | saw trap
door which had been concealed bv a car
pet, cautiously lifted up, and | beheld nv
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,
fired and
"Y You killed him, did you.' shrieked
the Spaniard, almost jumping from his
seat.
Silence. till have finished it :" said
the stranger and again he touched the
butt end of his weapon. The instant
that | fired, the villain fell | started
up, and merely pulling my overcoat on,
snatched up the lantern that he had
dropped, and crept cautiously down,
with my yalise in my hand, to the stable.
1t was bright moonlight night, and |
soon saddled my horse. | galloped ten
miles, when [ met party of wagoners,
and in their company returned to the
house; but despite our rigid search, not
even as much as the villains body could
be found. But if 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 on his neck. We need not say
any more. Three weeks after that, 10
seph Gomez was hanged in the city OF
Cumberland, upon his own confession OF
having murdered no less thai five trav
elers in that very room.
PUBLIC SPIRITED YoUTH.-The other
day very small boy came tearing round
a corner with his rags Huttering in the
| wind his face cmaared with u,olaccau