Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-08-17
A TRAVELLERS STORY.


A party of travellers were seated around
blazing fire, in tavern upon the Allegheny
The coach had broken down, and
perforce we were detained until the next morn
ing. We had finished substantial Virginia
supper, and each sat, with his feet on the ten
der and cigar in his mouth, Illuminating upon
the storm without, and the warm, cosy comfort
within Each one in his turn told story or
related an anecdotc, and at last the joke came
round to hollow checked individual, who un-
til then, had remained silent.
Gentlemen said he, fixing piercing gray
eye upon one of the company Spaniard--
who uninvited, had drawn his chair up to the
fire, "somc ten years ago came very near be-
ing murdered in this very house."
At this moment the Spaniard got up, and
was going out of the room when the narrator
arose and locked the only door in the room, took
the Spaniard by the arm and leading him to
an old picture, surrounded by the English coat
of arms in gilt work, ran his finger along the
motto
Honi soft qH maly pensc,"
said, displaying at the same time the butt end Of
a large 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 the
story. Requesting us not to be amazed at his
conduct, he proceeded
" Some years ago was travelling over these
mountains on horseback, and stopped at this
very house. The landlord was very obsequious
in attending to my comfort, and after supper,
he requested me to join in bottle of wine.
Nothing 10th, consented, and before midnight
four empty bottles stood on the table end, and
he was acquainted with all my Business.
81 very imprudently remarked, in the course
of my conversation, that had very large sum
of money in my valise, and he politely inform
ed me that he would take care of it till morn
ing. Although somewhat intoxicated, | did
not approve of leaving it in his charge, and i
took my valisc in my hand, and retired to bed
After had undresscd, placed my pistol under
my pillow, and carefully, as thought, exam,
incd the room | laid myself down, and sunk
into ftful sleep.
81 suppose it must have been two hours after
when awoke, and collecting my scattered sem
ses, | endeayored to think what | had been
about.
Suddenly, detected noise under my bed
What was my horror, when | observed small
piece of carpet stretched along my bedside, move
as though something was under it. A cold
pcrspiration started from every pore but
thank God had presence of mind enough tC
prepare for the worst. Grasping pistol in my
right hand, and hiding it under the bed-clothes
feigned to be asleep.
I" In an instant afterwards | saw trap door
which had been concealed by the carpet, cauti
ousy lifted up, and beheld my landlord, witt
a dark lantern in his hand, directing his gilt
tering eyes towardc me. Still moved not; bu
as he Gurnou iis Ddch W puV nio l"h'0ih oh viz
floor, | fired, and -
"You killed him, did you " shrieked th'
Spaniard, almost jumping from his seat.
=" Silence! ii | | have finished it, said tn
stranger, and he again touched the end OF hi
weapon. The instant fired the villain fell
| started up, and merely pulled my overcoat on
r snatched up the lantern that he dropped, an
cautiously crept down, with my valise in ~
hand, into the stable. 1t was bright moonligh
night, and soon saddled my horse. gallope
ten miles, when met IL company of wagoners
and in their company returned to the house
7 but despite our rigid search, not even SO muc
as the villains body could be found. But if
, can put my hand on him, if he costs me III
life, he shall die the dogs death"
v The stranger arose and caught the Spanial
| by the throat. Tearing open his shirt cola
Is he showed the mark of the wound on his nec
.e We need not say any more. Three weeks aft
| that, Jose Gomez was hanging IN the city
ar Cumberland upon his own confession of ha
ING murdered no less than five travellers in tn
>, very room.