Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-10-25

nearly west, ! should have light enough. had
entered the woods, and had gone about half
mile when my wagon wheels settled, with a
bump and jerk, into deep hole. uttered an
exclamation Of astonishment, but that was not
all. heard another exclamation from another
source
"What could ii be- looked quickly around
but could see nothing Yet knew that the
sound heard was very close to me. As the
hind wheels came up felt something besides
the jerk Of the wheels. | heard something
tumble from one side to the other Of my wagon,
and | could also feel the jar occasioned by the
movement. 1t was simply man in my cart
knew this on the very instant. OF course
felt puzzled. At first imagined some poor
fellow had taken this method to obtain a ride
but | soon gave Il up, for ! know that any de-
cent man would have asked me for a ride My
next idea was that somebody had got in to sleep;
bot this passed as quickly as it came, for no
man would have broken into my cart for that
purpose. And that thought gentlemen, open
ed my eyes. Whoever was in there had brok-
en- in.
"My next thoughts we're OF Mr.. Dick Hard
head. He had heard me say that my load was
was all sold out, and Of course he supposed
had some money with me. In this he was
right, iot | had over two thousand dollars.
also thought he meant to leave the cart when
he supposed had reached safe place, and
then either creep over and shoot me or knock
me down. All this passed through my mind
by the time had got rod from the hole.
Now | never make it point 10 brag oimy-
self, but have seen great deal Of the world,
and | am pretty cool and clear headed under
difficulty. In very few tnoTiients my tesou-
tlon was formed. Ny horse was now knee deep
in the mud. and knew ! could slip OF with
out noise So drew my .revolyer-l never
travel in the country without one-l drew this,
and having twned the reins about the whip
stock, carefully slipped down in the mud, and
as the cart passed on went behind it examin-
ed the hasp
"The door Of the cart les down, and is fast
ened by hasp, which slips over a staple and
is then secured BY padlocke The paddock
was gone, and the basp was secorcd in its place
by bit of pino--so that slight fore from with
in could break it, Ny wheel wrench hung in
a leather bucket by the side Of the cart, and
quickly took it out and slipped it into the staple,
the iron handle Just sliding down.
"Now | had him. My cart was almos, new,
made in stout frame Of white oak, and made
on purpose for hard usage. did not believe
any ordinary man could break out. got on
my cart as noiselessly as got off and then urg-
ed my horse on, still keeping my pistol handy.
knew that at the distance of half mile furih-
D 4 I
allowed nv horse to pick his way through the
mud. Abont ten minutes after this | heard a
motion in the cart. followed by a grinding noise
as though some heavy force were being applied
to the door. said nothing, bu, the idea struck
me that the william nigh, Judge where sat and
shoot up through the too of the cart at me. so
| sat down on the foo,-board.
OF course ! knew now that my unexpected
passenger was a villain for he must have been
awake ever since started, and nothing in the
world but absolute villany would have caused
him to remain quiet so long and then start up
in this particular place. The humping and
pounding grew louder and louder, and pretty
soon heard human voice.
Let me out of this he cried, and he yelled
pretty loud.
| lifted up my head so as 10 make him think
| was sitting in my usual place, and then asked
him what he was doing there.
Let me out, and will tell you, he replied.
Tell me what you are there for said |.
4 go, in here to sleep on your rags he
answered. LET me out, or ! will shoot you
through the head, he yelled.
Jus, at that moment my horse's feet struck
the hard road, and knew tha, the res, Of the
route to Jackson would be good going. The
distance was twelve miles. | slipped back on
the foot-board and took the whip. had the
same horse then I've got nova tall, stout,
powerful bay mare-and ycu may believe
there's some go in her. Atany rate she struck
a gate that even aslonished me- She had re-
ceived good mess Of oats, the air was cool,
and she felt like going. In fifteen minutes we
cleared the woods, and away we went on clean
jump. The chap inside kept yelling 10 be let
out.