The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1858-10-16
lFrom The Home Joumall
TALES OF THE SOUTH.
BY 4 SOUTHERN MAN.
DEN or TIE noBnRRs.

Soon after the close OF the last war be-
tween Great Brtnin aud the United Stntrs,
Thomas Stogdon, a tobacco planter living
in the western part Of Virginia, started on a
journey for the purpose Of transactng some
private business which required his attention
in one OF the north-eaStern counties OF that
State. His route lay across one Of the lofti-
est spurs of the Blue Ridge, the longest and
most picturesque mountain range in the
South.
As the times were Troubled, and the pas
sage across the mountains considered dam
gerous on account of the robbers who infcst-
ed them, Mr.. S,ogdon went not only well
mounted but well armed-a brace Of trusty
horsemaps pistols being carried, according
to tho custom OF the day, in front of the rid
or and attached to the forcpart of the saddle.
The third night after leaving home he stop
ped at a roadside inn, distant about, five
miles from the base OF the mountain. On
dismounting, he observed that one Of his
horses shoes had been lost. and directed
another To be put on At the shop attached to
the inn. lie rose early the next morning
and resumed his journey with view Of oh
tanning morning prospect of the mountain
and the scenery OF the subiacent country,
which he had heard was very fine.
His horse soon began to limp, and was
quite lame when he reached the base of the
mountain. Surprising that the shoe had
been unskillluTly put on at the inn, he stop
ped at u blacksmith's shop, Eear the foot of
the ridge, aud had the horses foot examined.
After diligent scrutiny, the workman said
that the lameness was not produced by the
-Ghoe, which WIS properly adjusted and fast
enod to the hoof.
At the request Of Mr.. Stogdon, the smith
examined all the shoes, but could find no
r. :. ~ -. l.
one of them. His quick eye, however, de-
tccted q ring of rufTled or lifted hair running
around one of the hind legs of the horse, just
above the fetlock. Raising the hair, he OBJ
served that the flesh was bloody and much
swollen. On more careful examination he
discovered that a small cord of silk had been
tied so tightly around the leg that it had cut
into the flesh, producing Inflammation of the
part and, doubtless, also the lameness Of the
horse. -
The discovery at once excited the suspicion
of the workman, who was both honest and
shrewd Calling the attention of the traveller
- the cord, which he speedily detached from
the leg of the horse, he expressed his appre-
hension that foul play Of some sort~was med
itaied. A few years before, he related, rid
erlcss horse had come down from the noun
tans and was found to be lame from a simi-
lar cause, n tight Silken cord having cut in
almost to the bone of the animals leg. The
owner had never been heard oi, and it was
believed that he had been murdered and his
body concealed in the mountain
The smith suggested TO Mr.. Stogdon the
precaution of examining the priming and
loading of his pistols. On examination the
iiints and pFinTingGn the pans were found TO
bo IN. n.rproper condition, but the loads had
been withdrawn from both barrels, and wads
Of cloth substituted in their place
The suspicious of Mr.. Stogdon w6fe fully
aroused by these proofs Of premcditated
design of some sort upon him. lie was a
bold, brave man. however, and did not once
think either of changing his route or of ahan.
doning his journey across the mountains.--
Carefully reloading and testing the reliabili- !
iy Of hisNpist6ls, he bade adieu TO his honest