Litchfield enquirer., 1854-06-29
A Thrilling Adventure.

\ Twas fate m the evening Ot certain l day, some years since, that I found my i. 1! self travelling in one of the widest por- 1 tions of the Great West. The road, or \ apology for one, for it hardly deserved the name, wound through a lonely forest I-which . concourse of hoarse sounds served to make anything but agreeable or liyening 10 my spirits, worn out as l wal. by days travel. I To mend matters, 1t began to rain, not moderately and leisurely, but with such l good earnest that was soon wet to the skin. In this dilemma. I looked round anxiously for shelter of some kind. IL was with sense of relief that I beheld a Elittle distance in front off asmall house the home, doubtless, Of an adventuroas farmer who, for the sake of little more elbow room. had located himself on the very outskirts of civilization. z, i. I rode up to the house, and tapping the dooi with my riding whip. requested admittance. My call was answered by a woman of middle age. in whom noticed little more than anxious. care, worn ex- pression, of which. at the time, I did not lake particular notice. t Y Can you accommodate me for the nigh. g. ! asked. !" I am wet to the skin with the rain, and it was impossible for me to go further. My horse, too. worn out with fatigue, as he has been on his feet all day." so4 The woman paused. and l saw a sha. dow of reluctance pass over her counten ance.
 "You could better be accommodated she said at length. cat the tavern about four miles distant"
 "Ii might as well be forty" said I, with decision. As for accommodation any thing will suit me. A bed on tue straw or rug. with cup of tea and a piecs of bread # you have them. will strengthen me for to. morrow's ride" l Apparently this removed the woman's objections. for without further opposition she led the way into the common sitting room. in which were seated two rough> headed youngsters, and an infant. who seemed ailiDg. At least, SO I inferred from the squalls it poured forth, with a compass of voice truly astonishing in a creature SO young. see l The master of the house apparently was not as home. A plain repast wa, speedily set before me. and partaken o with An appetite which could not by any meant be called poor did not at. tempt to engage my hostess in converse, ton. Sue appeared disinclined to it, and even if she had been, the cries of the child which she was striving in vain to quiet, would have effectually prevented 1t. As for the two boys, they stared at me with an intensity that showed their determin- alton to know. me again. - .sg. After supper, I took my lamp, and was .ushersd into large. low room. on the second floor, in one corner of which was plain bedstead, which, with four chairs and looking glass, ten inches by twelve. completed it's arrangements so far as the furniture went.
 = hope you will rest quiet, said the woman as she withdrew. 2 94ss
 Left to myself. EGrst bolted the door. and then disarrapging myself. leaped into the bed, where was sood buried ip an uneasy slumber uneasy, because I could not throw of some anxious thoughts which had obtrudsd during the day. Itmight have been twelve o'clock when Twas aWoke from my troubled sleep. and became conscious of . conference which was being held just outside the door.
 One voice at once recognised as be- ing the farmers wife the other coniec. tured to be her husband.
 Have you killed him [" asked she softly. .4 f,.,-..4 N .,...
 "Yes." said the man. (
 "And where did you bury him 2"
 In the swamp. about mile distant.' 2
 Did he make much resistance ?'
 No; l didn't give him a chance. I raised my gun and struck him on the head with iI, on that he was stunned at once." [ listened iniently to those feW words. I was convinced that they referred to the murder of some nnsuspecting person, with what purpose l could not gather, by the master of the house. My blood run cold at the cOolness with which it was detailed. I determined. # ever | got out of this den of murdeTers, I would secure bis arrest.
 But the conversation was resumed. and iistened once more. .
 '. How shall se get in [" inquired the fsrmer. M 4 s M Z. Not by the door, for I've tried it and found 1t bolted."
 lperceived they were now speaking of entering my chamber. doubtless with lhe same design of murdsting me, and pos~ sessing themselves of my property.
 Try the trap door 1"
 Yes. but # he should wake up" Q. 10 fear of that"
 Inc afAna reeAded