The Gonzales inquirer. [volume] (Gonzales, Tex.) 1853-current, 1854-02-04
The Travellers Story.

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A party Of travellers were seated around n
blazing tircs IN 9. tayernsppon the Allegheny
mountains. Tho coach had broken down, and
pcrforcc NO Wero detained until the next
morning. We had finished Substantial vir-
ginia supper, and each one, with his feet on
the fendef. and : cigar IN his mouth, runina-
ting upon the storm without, and The warm
cosy comfort within. Each ono IN his turn
told story or related an anccdotc; and at
last the joke came round to q hollow.chccked
individual, who until then, had remained 81
lent.
Gentlemen, said he, fixing piercing gray
eye upon one Of the company-a Spaniard--
who uninyitcd had drawn his chair up to the
fire, "somc ten years ago l camo near being
murdered in this very house." -
at this moment the Spaniard got up and
was going out Of tho room, when the narrator
arose and locking the only door in the room,
took the Spaniard by the arm, and leading
him to M old picture surmounted by the Eng
lish coat NJ arms, in guilt work, ran his finger
along the motto:
"Honi soft qui NAL pcnse.'
said, displaying at the same time but end OF
large pistol" Evil to him who evil thinks. -
The Spaninrd smiled, and said nc did not
feel wei, but the stranger sworc that no man
should lcayc the room until he had finished the
story. Requesting ns not TO be amazed at his
conduct, nc proceeded:
Some years ago, (said he was travelling
over these mountains on horse bnck and /
stopped at this very house. The landlord was
extremely obsequious in attending TO my com.
fort, and, after supper he requested mo to Join
him in bottle Of w,nc. Nothing loath,
consented, and before midnight, fouy empty
bottles stood OH the table end, and ba was nc.
quainted with all my business.
~ very imprndently remarked in tho course
Of my conversation, that Ishad very lnrgc
sum OF money in my valise and he very po-
lite|y informed me that he would take care OF
~ till morning. Although somewhat intoxi.
Gated, ! did not approve Of leaving il in his
charge, and took my valise in my hand and
retired TO bed. After had addressed, Il placed
my pistols under my pillow, and carefully, MS
thought, examined the room. had laid
down, and sunk into titful sleep.
suppose il must have been two hours nj.
ter when / awoke and collected my scattered
senses, i cndeayorcd TO think what / had been
about.
Suddenly detected q noise under my bed
What was my horror when observed small
piece Of carpet stretched along my bedside
move as though somct'ipgtwns under it. A
cold perspiration started from every pore but,
thank God had presence Of mind enough
TO prepare for tho worst. Grasping pistol
in my right hand, aud hiding ii under the bed
clothes fcigncd to be asleep
In an instant afterwards saw trap door
which had been concealed by a carpet eau.
tiously liecd up, and bcheld my landlord
with dark lantern in his hand directing hi.
glittcring eyes towards me. Still moved
not; but as he turned his back to put his Ian
tern on the floor, fired
You killed him, did youl" shrieked tn,
SpaniaId, almost jumping from his seat
Silence! till have finishcdl said Ia,
stranger, and again ho touched the end Of hi.
weapon. The instant l fired, the villain fell
started up, and merely pulled my oycrcoal
on, snatclied up the lantern that he had drop
| ped, and crcpt cautiously down, with my va,
lisc in my hand, to the stable. It was a
bright moonlight night, and scon saddlca my
horse. galloped ten miles; whom met q
party OF wagoncfs, and IN their company
returned to the house; but despite our rigid
search, not even MS much MS tho villains body
| could be found, But If can once Put my
hard upon him, If il costs my life, he shall
die tho dogs death.'
The stranger arose aud caught the Spaninrd
by the throat. Tearing open his shirt collar
he showed the mark OF the wound on his
neck. We need not say any more. Three
weeks after that, Joseph Gomez was hanged
in the Sity OF Cumberland, upon his own con,
fessipn Of having murdered no less than five
travellers in that very room