The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-05-02
Misffllanruns.
SCENE IN A VILLAGE BAR ROOM.
ny HORACE n. STANFORD.

H Atii@sSss w ouhoiV, III ANSW Aoik Ss"sot "
stage. II was bitter cold morning when
we sat out, and the roads were frozen hard,
there having been considerable mud only q
few days before. The first night we put up
at Dadville, and on the following morning
when awoke, found that the earth was
not only covered with snow, but that the
snow was then falling fast. .-....
After an early breakfast we started out on
wheels, but at the end of eight miles We
were forced to take runners, the snow clog
ged up so that the wheels would not run
When night came on we found ourselves
forced to stop at small village only twenty
miles from where we set out in the morn
ing.
A good supper was provided at the inn,
and the place had the appearance of comfort.
We had just sat 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 flu
rious manner. There was Ere in she small
sitting-room, and thither we passengers, six
of us, adjourned. We sat there and con-
versed until near nine o'clock, and then |
went out into the bar-room to smoke cigar,
previous to retiring.
In the bar-room l 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 judged to
be teamsteH; a rough, hardy, good-natnred
set, who were enjoying themselves hugely
over big mug of Flip. Then there were
some whom judged to be yillagen-
men who lived near the inn-sort Of village
politicians and newsmongers who made the
bar-room ther place Of social meetings.
had lighted my cigar, and taken q seat
near the FIRE, when l noticed buffalo skin
on the end of the log settee opposite to
where sat, and was confident there was
human being beneath it. l supposed it
might be some stable hand who had been at
work hard, or who expected to be up most
Of the night, and was getting little sleep.
l was looking at the buffalo robe, and
thus meditating, when heard low, deep,
death-like groan come up from beneath it,
and in few moments more the robe was
thrown upon the floor, and the man who had
eposed 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 Of the
teamstcrs hastened to his assistance. They
lifted him to his feet, and after considerable
effort he managed to stand up.
My God what thrill struck to my
heart when | saw that face. 1t was one Of
noble features; q high brow and amply de-
veloped, over which clustered mass Of dark
glossy ringlets; the face beautifully proper
toned, and each separate fcauture exquis-
itely chiseled. But what an expression rest
ed there now! The great dark eyes had q
vacant idiotic stare: the face was as pale
as death, and the lips looked dry and parch-
ed. His clothes were torn and soiled, and
one of his hands was bloody. He was sure
ly not more than fve-and-thirty, and his
appearance would at once indicate man Of
more than common abilities. But the de-
mon had him, and made him into something
below the brute.
"How dye feel now, GcOrge?" asked
one of the men who had gone to his assist
ance. ......
But he only groaned in reply, and was
soon persuaded to lie down again, being
told that he'd soon feel better.
As soon Us he wason thesettee once more,
and the buffalo over him, the men returned
to their seats.
"who is that chap?" asked one Of the
teamsters, looking towards the villagers who
had been assisting the unfortunate.
"That's George Lockland," returned q
stout honest-looking man.
"Does he belong here?"
"Yes. Didn't yenever hear Of him?"
The teamster replied that he had not.
"Well, ," resumed the fat man, "it's too
bad, declare tits. Lockland might be one
of the first men in town if he had mind
to but you see he will drink; and the
worst of it is, he makes fool of himself
He cannot touch II without doing Just as
he's doing now. He started here as a law.
yer. and a smart one he is. too. Why, he
can argue old Upbam right out of his boots.
Blu, ye see he's lost all his best customers
now. They daren't trust him with business
cause he amt sure of doing 1t. He's got
one of tho bcautifalest little wives you ever
saw; and one of the handsOmest children.
Il - g