Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-01-21

manned in the saddle at the forest inn be-
gan to think. Why was Mr. Groome so par
ticular to know if my friend expected me p
And then why should he have been so anxious
| to have me set forward that night, instead of
remaining with him, and paying him dollar
or SO more than did Then, this road
believed had been deceived. There was no
freshets to carry away any bridges for 1t was
now nearly Autumn, and the river road had
been travelled all summer And then, the
saddle had seen Ike " carrying to the barn
There was surely mischief In all this Daniel
Groome had daughters at bis house, and, per
haps Others whom be would have to hear the
noise of the robbery. Or very likely he would
not wish to have such deed connected with
his house at all Of course he knew I had
money. No one would be travelling, as /
was then travelling, without a considerable
sum.
If my pistols had been taken out, might
they not have been further dealt with |
took one from the right holster and examined
it. The ball was in the right place, and cap
on. Still | was not satisfied. | slipped the
cap off, and found the percussion composition
removed. There was not particle left with
in the cap. And this was not all | found
Hore was the secret sure enough. | took
my penknife and succeeded in drawing out the
stick. and then examined the other pistol,
which found to be in the same plight. l
stopped and went to work in earnest | had
au excellent screw for removing bullets, and
nv pistol barrels were emptied in very few
moments | had serious objection 10 firing
them of in the woods, where the report might
! Z. Al. Ii I
emptied them, and then snapped a cap upon
each found them both clear, and then pro
ceeded 10 load them. which did carefully
And now, how should | proceed That
this road would lead me to Fosters Mills, |
had no doubt and il would be nearer for me
to keep on than to turn back. So upon that
point my mind was made up
And next-which way would nv host come
For that he meant to rob me felt certain
Every rcumStance-eveVything that trauspiT
ei between him and me-pointiag 10 the one
simple result Would he 20 down the river
road apiece, and head NE of or would he
follow ME directly up Most likely the for
mer considered il awhile, and then resolved
to push on and keep on nv guard
The sun went down. and il grew dark in
the deep wood but the moon was already up,
and as her beams fell lengthwise upon the road,
she gave NE considerable light when my eyes
had become used TO the transition Half an
hoar had passed since looked At my pistols.
and Just as began to wonder if | had been
mistaken, | heard the sound of horses
tramp at distance. At first it puzzled me 10
tell the direction from which il came. but in
moment | knew it was in advance of NE, and
and upon nv right hand which was toward
the river Presently it stopped, l drew my
horse to the left side of the path aud kept on
a gentle trot. having raised the lapel Of M
right holster.
In few moments I saw q dark form amid
the bushes. little way ahead. on the right
As came up man rode out 1t was my
host
Good evening, sir, he said, with exceed
ing politeneSS,
:" Al. good evening" | returned Il had
not expected the pleasure of your company"
No, | expect not he resumed, in 3 sort
of hesiGating manner. And shouldn't have
come out. only for little business | forgot
when you were At the iun."
Il was plain as day Ny pistols had been
rendered useIeSs--I had been sent of into this
uufrequented wood. and now the william had
thought to take my life and nv money without
any risk TO bis own body, and then hide nv
poor carcass in the earth. where. very likely.
others had been hidden before. Ny eyes were
open. and nv hand ready
MAY | 10 what business voa alude - |
said
Yes" he snapped cut, something in agree
meut with his features Il money, money.
sir"
AZ he spoke, he raised his pistol
Take il" cried. raising NY pistol. and
pointing it in bis face.
"Ha, ha ha," he laughed in coarse triumph,
" your Yankee pistols weVa't made too harm
such IS M ! III soon put you where I've pa:
others afore-
When = man knows ieath IS staring him in
the face. and that only MS act Will avert it.
he is 40; apt 20 wsiI long. At least am not,
And nv hosts last words gave NE ample
proof Of the correctness &C nv suspicious
Without waiting for him 10 flash, | fired
His fingers must have pressed the trigger OF
his pistol. for within the space Of watch tick,
a sharp report answered, and mingled mine,
and ny hat shook upon NJ head
Daniel Gr00me swaved 20 and FRO several
! times in his saddle. and then with s gurgling
! grusn sank uron the earth. | slipped down
after hi@ and when | stopped over Ehe body
/ saw few drops OF DARK blood trick,iug from
I bis forehead
For few moments felt awe-<trGck and
| condemned Il waS 5 natural feeling in sCch
. ureSeece But when came 20 reflect Bpon
( all sha; had preceded the deed, felt that
/ / had done nv country q seFvlce- made the
robbers horse fast TO tree, and then remo1nt-
/ ed and rode On.
/ reached the mills aboGt half-past nine, and
| found Poster and his family up They were
glad 20 see NE, aud introduced ne 10 $ Mr.
| Price, whom | afterwards found 30 be the
owner OF the place WHARF had taken ny din