The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1856-01-03
81 Gbuite 5tury.
~ From Bailou's Pictorial.
SCENE IN "A VILLAGE
Bar Room.
By HORACE b. STAMFORD.

In the fall Of 49,, was travelling from
Ithaca to Buffalo, in New York State, by
stage. II twas bitter cold morning when
we set out and the roads were frozen hard.
there having been considerable mud only a
few days before. The first night we put up
at Danville, and on the following morning,
when awoke, found that the earth was
not only covered with snow, but that the
snow was then faling fast After an. early
breakfast we set out again on wheels, but at
the end of eight miles We were forced to take
runners, the snow clogging up SO that the
wheels would not run. When night came
we found ourselves forced to stop at small
village only twenty miles from where we set
out in the morning. -
A good supper was provided at the inn,
and the place had the appearance ofcomfort.
We had just set down to supper when the
wind began to blow furiously, and we could
see by the dim light without that the snow
was being whirled and driven about in a
furious manner. There was fire in small
sitting-room, and thither we passengers,
six of us, adjourned We sat there and
conversed until near nine o'clock, and then
l went out into the bar-room to smoke a ci.
gar, previous TO retiring.
In the bar room found bright wood
fire burning, and some dozen people were
sitting there, smoking and drinking. This
was long before the introduction Of Maine
Laws.) Several Of the company I judged
to be. teamsters a rough, hardy, good-natur-
ed set, who were enjoying themselves huge
ly over big mug Of Zip. Then there were
several whom / found to be villagers
who lived near the inn-sort of village poll
ticians and news-mongcrs, who made the
bar-room their place Of social evening meet
ings.
lhad lighted my cigar, and taken a seat
near the FIRE, when noticed buffalo skin
on one end Of the long settee opposite to
where ] sat, and wes confident there was q
human being beneath it. 1 supposed il
might be some stable hand who had been al
work hard, or who expected to be up most
of the night, and was now getting little
sleep. was looking at. the buffalo robe
and thus me ditating, when heard a low,
deep, death-lke groan come up from be.
meath 1t, and in few moments more the
robe was thrown upon the floor, and the
man who had reposed beneath it came down
upon the top Of it. and there he lay for
some moments like dead man. ] had Just
started up, when four of the villagers and
one ofthe teamsters hastened to his assistance
They lifted him TO his feet, and after consid,
cradle effort he managed to stand up.
/ p My God! what thrill struck to my heart
when / saw that face. 1t was one Of noble
features; a brow high and amply developed
over which clustered mass of dark, glossy
ringlets the, face beautifully proportioned
and each seperate feature most exquisitely
chiselled. But what an expression rested
there now The great dark eyes had va,
cant, idiotic stare the face was pale as death
\ and the lips looked dry and parched, and
much discolored. His clothes were torn
and soiled, and one of his hands bloody
He was surely not more than five.and-thir.
ty, and his appearance would at once indi
cate man Of more than common abilities
But the demon had him, and had made him
into something now below the brute
4 Glow dye feel now, George2" asked one
i OF the men who had gone TO his assistance.
/ But he only groaned in reply, and he was
soon persuaded to lie down again, being
told that he'd soon feel better. As soon AZ
he was on the settee once more, and the buf
falo over him, the men returned to thei
seats. 81 G I si.if
"Who Is that chapl" asked one Of tn.
j teamsters, looking towards the villagers who
had been assisting the unfortunate.
That's George Lockland, , returned
stout, hoaestlooking man. III
i does he belong herer
! Eyes. Didn't ye never hear Of him r.
4 The tearlsster replied that he had not !.
4 .Wa|l," resumed the mt man, ats to,
bad, \ declare Tia Lockland might be on
4 Of the fsst men 10 &own IL he'd mind to
baf - be vill drink and the worst Of