Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1858-06-10
The Murdered Trayeler.


The Murdered Traveller.
/ was travelling through North Carolina,
and did not at all like the i,lea of pass
ing the night alone in the stage coach; not
of course, that there was anything to fear,
but night alone in the coach is the most
gloomy of all nights.
At sunset we reached small village,
where | supped alone, and the fare was
mean enough to testify the landlords utter
contempt for solitary passenger, albeit.
his table was spread for ten. hoped that
| might have a companion, for the pros
pect of the dull evening before me was
gloomy in the extreme; and don't know
but that, if could have found suit
able person, should have been willing to
pay his fare, rather than face night
alone.
] despatched my supper, and the driver
had intimated wish that ] would ''hurry
up my cakes, and l had complied by hur-
ry them down.
CAS- am alone, driver, / suppose you
will not object to my smoking inside, I"
/ said, as l was about to resume my
scat.
"You are not alone
"Eh?"
"a young woman will keep you compa-
NY"
Excellent! How far does she go?"
Through to Welden."
This was pleasing. and was willing to
forego the luxury of my cigar that might
get sight of my companion before the
darkness yelled her from my curious eyes.
| entered the coach, Jehu cracked his whip,
and away we went.
The young woman" had taken pos
session of the back seat, as in right she
should. and / was placed upon The front
seat. She was very pretty girl, not more
than eighteen. we'll dressed, though not
in the style of Broadway or Chestnut street
She looked very sad, and several times, as
the stage whirled away, noticed a tear in
her eve.
With some difficulty | managed to draw
her into conversation. the pertinent parts
of which shall presently transcribe, | was
glad she did not deem me impertinent, fol
her story was full of interest, and l dare
say, asked her great many saucy ques.
tions.
al am in great Distress" she replied,
"and | am half mind to stop the coach
and walk back homc.''
"Why so?'
"You seem to be very kind person
stranger. and | will tell you all about it
In few words, l am running away from
homc.''
"Indeed?"
"My father don't use me just as thinl
he ought"
"He is not cruel to you, hope?"
"Well not exactly cruel, but he will no
permit me to marry the man | choose"
l venturcd to suggest that parents Otter
had good reasons for their objections t,
lovers.
THAT may be; but think John Oxfor,
is as good young man as any in thcs
parts, and have determined to have him.
"Where is your father? Will he no
pursue you?" | asked.
"IIc has gone to the South, to buy stock
and / am to meet John somewhere on til
road"
'But your father may return this way
"No, he will go to Raleigh first"
/ chccrcd up the runaway. whose nam
was Martha Stoneham, as well as / could
and she had disburdened her mind of tin
secret. cautioned her not to throw her
self away upon worthless fellow, VIII,
might be seeking her fathers propert,
rather than herself; for she had informe,
me that her father was in easy circumstan
ces. She knew John Oxford, AMI didn'
fear any thing, and after she was married
if her spa" had mind to forgive her b,
might, but she didn't care much whethc
nc nc dia ai or not.
This was North Carolina 'blu1," how
ever, fox l could see that she was gcntl
hearted, and if she had been brought up il
a more refined circle, she would have beer
an angel.
We converscd till twelve o'clock, ant
Martha was in pretty good spirits by thi
time; but was getting very sleepy, anc
couldn't hold out much longer. hat
started her tongue, and | might as vel
have unearthcd a volcano, for she determin
ed that should lose my nap. At last | go
to sleep. and left her to ruminate upon he
approaching nuptials. ~
1t was daylight when awoke, the stag
having stopped to change horses.
"How long before the stage for Raleigl
viii be along?" asked person of our dri
yer.
..Mercy. this is John Oxford" exclaim
ed Martha tearing omen the door
John Oxford. Thought did not seem tt
be particularly pleased to meet her, ant
when the stage started they had had Ions
confidential interview, and / had the pleas
ure Of having two companions. 1 did mo-
like the looks Of Tie Iady's lover. ana
thought it quite probable her father wa
right in refusing to accept him as 4 soil-in
law.
| why what is the matter with 20,