True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-05-08
THE SUSPICIOUS TRAVELLERS.
a sKErcu OF WESTERN LIFE.


When KostuOk5 was aH infant State
and before the foot of civilization had trod
den her giant forests, there lived upon
branch of the Green River an old hunte
BY the name of John Slator. His hu
was upon the southern bank of the stream
and save a small patch Of some half dozel
acres that hal been cleared by his Town axe
he was shut up by dense forests. Slate
had two children at home with him-tw
Eons, Philip aud Dauiel-the former four
teen and the latter twelve years of age
The elder children had gone South. Iii
wife was with him, but she had been 70
several yearsOn almost helpless cripple from
the effect of severe rheumatism.
1t was early in the spring, and the ole
hunter had just returned from Columbia
where he had been to carry the winters
store which consisted mostly of furs. HI
had received quite sum of money ant
had brought it home with him. The ole
man had for several years been accumu
hting money, for civilization was gradually
approaching him, and he. meant that hi,
children should start on fair terms with
the world.
One evening, just as the family were
sitting down to their frugal supper, they
were attracted by the sudden bowling Of
the dogs, and as Slator went to the door to
see what was the matter, he saw three
men approaching his hut.
He quickly quieted the dogs, and the
strangers approached the door. They ask
ed for something to cat, and also for lode
ings for the night. John Slator was 10;
the man to refnse request of that kind,
and he asked the strangers in. They sat
their rifles behind the door, unslung their
packs, and room was made for them at the
supper table. They represented them
selves as travellers bound farther West, in
tending to cross the Mississippi in search
Of settlement.
The new comers were far from being
agreeable or prepossessing in their looks,
but Slator took no notice of the circum-
stance, for he was not one to doubt any
man. The boys, however, did not like
their appearance at all, and the quick CLAN
ees which they gave each other told their
feelings,
The hunters wife was not at the table,
but she sat in her great easy chair by the
fire.
Slator entered into conversation with
his guests, but they were not very free,
and after while the talk dwindled to oc
casional questions. Philip, the elder of
the two, noticed that the men cast uneasy
glances around the room, and he could not
rest. He knew that his father had large
sums Of money in the house, and his first
thought was that these men were there
for the purpose of robbery.
After the supper was over, the boys
quickly cleared off the table, and then
went out of doors. 1t had become dark
or rather, the night had set in, for there
was bright moon, two-thirds full, shin
lis down upon the forest.
"Daniel," said Philip, in a low whisper,
at the same time casting look over his
shoulder, ''what do you think of these 'ere
men~
M'm afraid they're bad ones,' returned
the younger boy.
$50 am I. l believe they mean to steal
fathers money. Didn't you notice how
they looked round p
eyes"
$50 did I. If we should tell father
what We think, he would only laugh at us,
and tell us we were perfect scare-crows."
"But we can watch them"
"Yes, we will watch 'em, but do not let
them know it."
The boys held further consultation, and
then going to the dog house, they set the
small door back, so that the hounds might
spring forth if they were wanted If
they had desired to speak to their father
about their suspicious, they had no chance,
for the strangers sat close by him all the
evening.
At length, however, the old man signi-
he'd his intention of retiring, and arose to
so out OF doors, to see the state of affairs
without. The three followed him, but
they did not take their weapons. The
old lady was asleep in her chair.
"Now," whispered Philip, diets take
two of fathers rifles up to our bed-we
may want them. We are as good as men
with the rife"
Daniel sprang to obey, and as quickly
as possible the boys slipped two rifles from
their places behind the great stove chin
ncy, aud then hastened back and emptied
the priming from the strangers rifles, and