Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-08-26

| occurred:
Some three months after this, received an
| account from wholesale house in New York
| for collection. The parties to collect from
were hard ones, but they had property, and be-
fore they had an idea CT the trap laid, had the
property, which they were about to assign, be-
| fore they broke, under attachment. Finding
was neck ahead and bound to win, they
seven hundred and ninety-four dollars, and
eighteen cents (per memorandum book) in
good money. They lived in Shawneetown, a.
! bout thirty-five or forty miles southeast of
Moore's prairie. l received the funds Just af-
ter bank opening, but other business detained
me until after dinner. / then started for c.,
intending to go far as the village of Mount
Vernon that night.
had gone along ten or twelve miles, when
[ noticed splendid double team of horses at
| tached to light wagon, in which were seated
four men, evidently of the high strung order.
They swept pass as if to show how easily they
could do it. They shortened in, and allowed
me to come up with them, and hailing me,
asked me to sswet," or in other words, diminish
the contents of jug Of old rye they had a.
board /; but excused myself with the plea L
had plenty on board. They asked me how far
was going. told them as far as Mount Yer
non, if my horse didn't tire out. They men,
toned pleasant tavern ten or twelve miles
distant as nice stopping place, and then
drove on.
did not like the looks of those fellows,
nor their actions, bnt was bound to go ahead
1 had brace of revolvers and nice knife !;
my money was not in my valise or in my sulky,
but in belt around my body. drove Slow
in hopes that they would go on, and I should
see them more. 1t was nearly dark when
l saw tavern sign ahead. AT the same time
l saw their wagon stood before the door.
would have pressed on, but my horse needed
rest. l hauled up, and woman came to the
door. She turned as pale sheet when she
saw me-she did not speak, but with mean
ing look, she put her fingers her mouth,
and beckoned me in-she was the wife of my
late client. When l entered, the party recog-
nized me, and hailed me as an old travelling
friend, and asked me to drink. respectfully,
but firmly, declined to do so.
ssBy Cd, you shall drink or fghti ~ said
the noisiest of the party.
ssJust as you please drink shall not 20
said L, purposely showing the butt of Colt
which kicks six times in rapid succession.
The party interposed, and very easily quel-
led the assaiant. One offered me a cigar,
which 1 reluctantly refused, but a glance from
the woman induced me to accept. She advan-
ced and proffered me light, and in doing so
slipped note into my hand, which she must
have written a moment before. Never shall
1 forget the words. They were /;
s'Beware they are members of the gang
mean to rob and murder youl Leave soon,
will detain them.''
did not feel comfortable Just then, but
| tried to do so.
'sHave you any room to put up my horse 7''
1 asked, turning to the woman.
"What-are you not going on tonight 7''
asked enc of the men sswe are.''
ssNo," said /, 81 shall stay here tonight. >,
"We'll all stay then, / guess, and make
| night Of it, said another of the cut-throats.
s.You'll have to put up your own horse
here's lantern,'' said the woman.
81 am used to that,'' said. ssGentleman,
excuse me minute; ssI'll join you in a drink
WDeH COue
"Good on your head. More whiskey, old
gal,'' shouted they.
/ went ont and glanced at their wagon it
| was old-fashioned, and linch-pins secured the
wheels. To take out my knife and pry one
| from the fore and hind wheels was but the
work of an instant, and threw them as far
| off in the darkness as could. To unite my
horse and dash off was the work of moment.
The road lay down steep hill, but my lantern
| lighted me somewhat.
/ had hardly got under full headway, when
/ heard yell from the party had so unccre-
moniously left. / put whip to my horse.
The next moment, with shout, they started.
1 threw my light away, and left my horse to
pick his way. A moment later 1 heard a
crash-a horrible shriek. The wheels were
off. Then came the rush of the horses tearing
along with the wreck of the wagon. Finally,
they seemed to fetch up in the wood. One
or two shrieks heard as swept on, leaving
them far behind. For some time hurried my
horse-you'd better believe ssrid!'' 1t was
: little after midnight when got to Mount
Vernon.
The next day heard that a Moore's prairie
team had run away, and that two men out Of
| four had been 90 badly hurt that their lives
were despaired Of: but Il didn't cry. NY cil-
snts got their money, and didn't travel that
road any more.
Sydney smith hearing II observed Of one Of
the celebrities Of the age that he had appeared
to great advantage in conversation, said, es'