The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-11-25

SeCllon Ol country
"No, he doesn't" said. And expected
that my host would urge me to stay with him
until morning. so had my answers all prepared.
But was mistaken. lie didn't urge any such
thing. On the coatrary, he said he thought
was wise in my determination. He would like
my company, but it would be better for me to
push on. was quite relieved. 1t wanted a
quarter Of seven when my horse was brought
to the door, took out my wallet and asked
what was to pay. Half a dollar. paid it and
then asked which was the most direct route.
"you see that big tree just over the barn
therep'
ayes" said
"Wal, that's right on the best road. When
you strike that you cant miss the way"
"But isn't there another road?--one which
follows the stream right down to the mills?" |
asked; for had been informed by the young
man who had taken charge of my horse at noon
that Groomss inn was right by the very stream
which gave Foster his mill power, and the road
followed the stream direct
"Oh,'' said my host turning and looking off
towards the stream, "that road amt fit to be
travelled now 'Tother one's the best"
"But what's the matter with it?'' asked.
"Why-the bridges are all washed away; and
there's been wind falls across it. tried it last
week and had to come back. The upper road is
the matter of mile or two further, but that is
nothin'-your beast is good for it guess"
/ told him my horse would stand it we'll
enough, and then asked where the other road
struck the stream.
"Abuut three miles this side of the mills" he
replied, o
"Its all clear and dircct?'
eyes, you can't miss the way"
babe my host good bye and then started on.
didn't like this idea Of new road. The
youth, before mentioned, had told me what an
excellent road it was from Groomes to the mills
by the river road. He said it followed the
stream, which was very near strait, and that it
was light and open the whole distance. How
ever, of course, Groome knew; so l must take
| the best of it. looked back as reached the
ledge of the wood. was upon gentle emil
.nence, ond could overlook the shrubbery | had
passed | looked and saw "Ike'' going from
the house to the barn. He had a saddle on his
arm. was sure it was saddle Perhaps he
had an errand to do.
Ere long entered the wood and found it thick
and gloomy. The path was plain enough, and
had evidently been once travelled road Aye
i remember, now, Of having heard my infor-
mant of the noon-tide speak Of the "old road.
He said there used to be road leading to Rock
River, but when Foster commenced his Settle.
ment a new road was opened by the stream
and the old one discontinued He had said no.
thing about any bridges.
At the distance of two miles, I came to 9
place where bed Of sand lay across the road
1t was sort of gully, and stream must have
some time ran through it. | looked but saw
no tracks upon it. Water hal swept across
there since any living thing had trodden it.
slid from mNsaddle and examined thorough,
but could iind no tracks.
OF course, the father Of my noontime's hos
could not have gone this way! And yet he hat
gone to Fosters Mills. | began to suspect mis-
chief There had been an uneasy sensation lurk
ing in my bosom ever since left the inn. Some
thing was wrong. l regained my saddle anC
looked about. The sun was nearly down--.ir
twenty minutes at the iarthest it would be ou
Of sight
lnstinctively drew one of my pistols from
the holster. raised the hammer and fount
the cap in its place. l was just putting it bacl
when | noticed mark upon the butt. 1t wa
! peculiar knot in the wood. That pistol | al
wsys carried in my left holster. 1t was not s.
sure as the other one. took out the other
and was sure the weapons had been changed b.
other hands than mne They had remained i
the saddle at the forest inn, and the exchang
might have taken place there.
; began to think. Why was Groome so par
ticular to know ifmy friend expected me? An
then why should he have been so anxious
, have me set out that night instead of stayin
with him. and paying him dollar or so NOR
than did? Then, this road-I believed ha
been deceived. There had been no freshets t
carry away the bridges, for it was now nearl
all sumner. And then the saddle | had see
3 ''Ike" carrying to the barn There was surel
mischief in this. Daniel Groome had daughter
at his house and perhaps others, whom he wo'
J 1 IL, 6 L.
!, very likely he wo'd not wish have such dee
: connected with his house at all. OF course, h
! knew had money. No one would be trave
. ing, as was then travelling, without a consit
able sum.
If my pistols had been taken out might the
not have been further dealt with? | took Il
one from my right holster and examined it,
, The ball was in its place and the cap on. ST
|. ! was not satisfied. | slipped the cap off, ar
!, found the percussion composition removed
!. There was nota particle left within the CAP
] And this was all found the tube spike
with q little pine stick! s4
Here was the mystery sure enough. to-
my pcnknife and succeeded in drawing out d
! stick; and then examined the ether pist,
!. which found in the same plight. stopp
and went at work in earnest. / had an ex,e
!. lent screw for removing bullets, and my pist
\ barrels were emptied in a few moments. Ih
+ aserious objection to firing off there in t
n woods, where the report might betray Il
!, knowledge had gained, So / emptied the