The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1855-05-03
Gbrillin9 9tory.
The Suspicious Travellers.
A SKETCH OF wrsTERN LIFE.

trodden her giant, forests, there lived u
on a branch of the Green River an oil
hunter by the name of John Slator. Hi
hut was on the southern bank of the stream
and save a small patch of some half dozel
acres that had been cleared by his owl
axe, he was shut up by dense forests
Slator had two children at home with hin
two sons, Philip and Daniel-the for
mere fourteen and the latter twelve years
of age. The elder children had gone
South. His wife was with him, but shC
had been for several years an almost help
less cripple from the effect of severe rheu
matism.
1t was early in the spring, and the old
hunter had just returned from Columbia,
where he had been to carry the winters
store which consisted mostly of furs.-
He had received quite sum of money
and had brought it home with him. The
old man had for several years been accu
mulating money, for civilization was grad
ually approaching him, and he meant that
his 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
asked for something to eat, and also fol
lodging. John Slator was not the man
to refuse a request of that kind, and asked
the strangers in. They sat their rifles be-
hind the door, unslung their packs, ant
room was made for them at the supper ia
Bile. They represented themselves as trav
elers bound farther West, intending t.
cross the Mississippi in search of settle
ment
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 theil
appearance at all, and quick glances which
they gave each other told their feelings
The hunters wife was not at the table, bu
she sat in her great easy chair by the fire
Slator entered into conversation with his
guests, but they were not very tree' ant
after while the talk dwindled to occasion
al questions. Phillip, the elder of the two
noticed that the men cast uneasy glance
around the room, and he could not rest
He new that his father had large sums o
money in the house, and his first though
was that these men were there for the pur
pose of robbery.
After the supper was over, the boy
quickly cleared off the table, and then the,
went out of doors. 1t had become dark o
rather the night had fairly set in, for ther
was bright moon upon the forest.
"Danel," said Philip, in a low whisper
at the same time casting look over hi
shoulder, "what do you think of these 'er
men?"
"'m afraid they're bad Ones" return
ed the younger boy.
$50 am l, believe they mean to ste'
fathers money, Didn't you notice ho'
they looked round%'
"Yes.'
$50 did l. If we should tell fathe
what we think, he would only laugh at u'
and tell us we were perfect scare-crows' "
"But we can watch them"
ayes, we will watch 'em, but do not Ii
them know it,"
The boys held some further consult'
ton, and then going to the dog hous'
thew set the small door back, SO that tn
hounds might spring forth if they wei
wanted. If they had desired to speak
their father about their suspicious, the
had no chance, for the strangers sat clos
by him all the evening.
AT length, however, the old man sign
fed his intention of retiring, and aros
to 90 out of doors, to see the state of a
farirs without. The three followed hin
1but they did not take their weapons Tn
old lady was asleep in her chair
"Now," whispered Phillip, "let's tax
\ two of fathers rifles up to our bed-w
NAV want them. We are as good as me
with the rife"
Daniel sprang to obey, and as quick
as possible the boys slipped two rifles frol
their pockets behind the great stove chin
new, and then fastened back and emptie
the priming from the strangers rifles, ar
when their father and the strangers retur
ed, they had resumed their seats.
The hunters cabin was divided into tv
apartments on the ground floor, one
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