Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-10-25
MISCELLANY.
AN UNwELCoME PASSENGER.
rIIE PHDLKR's srOR

A cold winters night found stage load Of
US gathered about the warm FIRE of tavern bar
room in New England village. Shortly af-
ter we arrived, pedler drove up and ordered
that his horse should be stabbed for the night.
After we had eaten supper we repaired TO the
bar-room, and as soon as the ice was broken,
the conversation flowed freely. Several anec-
do,es had been related, and finally the pedler
was asked to give US a story, as men OF his pro-
fesson are generally full OF adventures. lie
was a short, thick man, somewhere about forty
years Of age, and gave evidence of great physi-
cal strength. He gave his name as Lemuel
Viney, and his home was in Dover, New Hamp-
shire.
"Well, gentlemen" he commenced, knock
ing the ashes from his pipe and putting it in
his pocket, "suppose | tell you about the last
thing of any consequence that happened TO me
You see am now right from the far West. and
on my way home for winter quarters. 1t was
about two month ago, one pleasant evening, that
pulled up at the door of a small village tavern
in Hancock County, Indiana. j said 1t was
pleasant | meant il was warm, but it was
cloudy and likely 10 be very dark. | went in
and called for supper, and had my horse Ia
ken care of, and after had eaten sat down in
the bar-room. Ii began to rain about eight o.
clock, and TOR a while II poured down good, aud
it was awful dark out Of doors.
snow wanted to be in jackson early the
next morning, for expected load Of goods
there for me, which intended to dispose Of on
my way home, The moon would rise about
midnight, and knew il it did not rain could
ge, along very comfortably through the mud af
ter that. So asked the landlord if he could
not see that my horse was fed about midnight
as | wished to be of before two. lie express
ed some surprise at this, and asked me why
did not stop for breakfast. told him had
sold my last load about all out and that new
lot Of goods was waiting for me al Jackson, and
wanted to be there before the express agent
left in the morning. There was a number of
people sitting round while ! told this, but took
but little notice of them, one only arrested my
attention. had in my possession small pack
age of placards which ! was to deliver to the
Sheriff of jackson, and they were notices for
the detection Of a notorious robher named Dick
Hardhead. The bills gave description ofhis
person, and the man before me answered very
hCil W W. tu idSA ~ "oo HoiiNtis ilc was a
tall well-formed man, rather slight in frame,
and had the appearance Of a gentleman, save
that his face bore those hard, cruel marks which
an observing man cannot mistake for any thing
but the index of villainous disposition.
"When / went to my chamber asked the
landlord who that man was, describing the sus-
picious individual. He said he did not know
him He had come there that afternoon and
intended TO leave the next day The host ask
ed why ! wished 10 know, and ! simply told
him that the countenance was familiar, and |
merely wished to know if was ever acquaint-
ed with him. resolved not 10 let the land
lord into the secret, but to hurry on to Jackson,
and there give information TO the sheriff, and
perhaps he might reach the inn before the viii
lain lefi for / had no doubt in regard TO his
identity.
81 had an alarm watch and having SET il to
give the alarm at one o'clock, went To sleep.
! was aroused at the proper time aud Immediate
/ ,y got up and dressed myself. When reach
ed the yard, found the clouds all passed away
and the moon was shining brightly. The host.
Ter was easily aroused, and by two O'Clock
was on the road. The mud was deep and my
horse could not travel very fast-ye. it struck
me that the beast made more work than there
was any need of, for the cart was nearly emp
ty.
"Howeyer, on we went, and in the courst
half an hour was clear of the village. At 4
short distance ahead lay large tract of forest
mostly OF great pines. The road led directly
through this wood, and as near as could re-
~ ttyalva miles Va
the moon was in the east, and as the road raj