The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-04-30
Srlnft Storp.
ANyUNwEEcossE PASSENGER.
THE PEDLARs STORY.

rFff
A cold winters night several years ago
found a stage load Of travellers gathered
around the warm FIRE OF tavera bar-room ia a
New Eagiand village. Shortly after we ar
lived pe:ilas drove up, and ordered that his
orse 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 anecdotes
had been related. and finally the pedlar was
HAsksd 70 give US a story, as men Of his pro-
fession were generally taii Of adventure and
anecdotes. He was short, thick set man,
somewhere about forty years Of age, and gave
evidence Of great physical strength He gave
his name as Lemuel yiney, and his kome was
il Dover, New Hampshire.
sWell, gentlemen" he commenced, knock
ing the ashes from bis pine and putting il in
his pocket, s'suppose tell You about the last
thing Of any consequence that happened TO
me. You see am right now from the far
west, and on my wayshome for winter quar-
tiers. 1t was during the early part cf last
snrinx, ore pleasant evening, pulled up at
the door Of q small village tavern in Hancock
county, Ind. | said it was pleasant meant
It was warm, but il was cloudy and likely to
be vsry DIRK. Iwent in and called for sap-
per aud had my horse taken care OF; after I had
eaten sat down in the bar-room. II began
to rain about eight O'Clock, and for while il
poured down good; twas very dark ont doors.
@Now, 1 wanted to be IN jackson early the
next morning, FOR expected . load Of goods
there fnr me, which i intended to dispose Of
on my way home. The moon would rise about
sAiAnight, and knew IL it did not rain, Icou.d
get along very comfortably through the mud
sitter thst. So asked the landlord If he
could not see that my horse was fed about
a. wished TO be OF by .wo. He
pressed some surprise 1t this and asked me
Thy did not stop For hreakfast. I told hin,
had sold my last load about all out. and that
new lct Of goods waswaiting for me at Jack
. son, and / wanted to be there before the ex-
sbwess agent left in the morning. There was q
n>snbsr Of people sitting round while told
this, but I took little notice OF them cne on
" arrested my attention. i had seen that
week, notices for the detection OF notorious
rohAers The bills gave description Of hia
person, and the man before me answered very
we'll to it. lie was tall. well formed man
rather slight in frame, and hadihe appearance
Of geatleman, save that his face bore. those
hard, cruel marks which "a observing mas
cannot mistake tor anything bu, the Index "a
ayillailous dispositioa. sss \. -..t ss-.l n
!, ~When went 70 my chamber asked the
landlord Who that man was, describing the
suspicious individual. He said he did mol
know him. He had come there that after.
noon end intended having the next day. The
host asked why wished to know, anA sim,
ply told him that the mans countenance wai
fau.iliar, and merely wished to know IL !
was ever acquainted with him. I resolved
not to let the landlord into the secret. but te
hurry on to Jackson, there give information
to the sheriG, and perhaps he might reach the
linn before the villain left, for had no doubts
with regard 10 Ais identify. ,ef assasw
aI had an alarm watch, and having set It u
give the alarm at one O'Clock, Iwent 70 sleep
I was aroused at tho proper time, and imme-