The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-03-02

felt in their glance something more of
the wild beast, than the gentle gaze of
human beings. +
| Take seat, stranger?' said a burly
thick set man, as he handed me chair,
which groaned piteously with its infrmi-
ties. As cast glance upon the group
before me, I seemed to hesitate, which
was instantly noticed, and the officiating
man, who seemed to be a landlord, came
toward me, and in a conciliatory
tone, and as gentle as could be expected,
said:
| Sorry can't accommodate you better.
stranger; but make yourself at home, we'll
do the best we kin
A significant glance passed among the
men as the host concluded his hospitable
invitations, which did not escape my no.
tice.
At length supper was served, consist
ing OF corn bread and bacon, and for this
meagre fare abundant apologies were Of
fered.
After listening while to their dis
gustirg conversation, informed my host
l would like to retire.
Will leave your saddle bags?' said he,
with bland smile, as he extended his
monstrous hand to take them. :.
No, sir replied with heavy frown
gathered on my brow .
i have very safe place to keep them,
he rejoined, while his blood shot eyes
stabbed me to the heart.
No doubt said 1 with a menacfng
nod, but woald prefer taking them with
me.'
This conclusion was received rather
coolly, and as prepared to leave the
room one of the men espied the handle
of my revolver protruding from beneath
my coat: aa
'Hollo, stranger!' he exclaimed, in q
quick tone, let's see that 'ere pistol, will
you?' ..as- e
So sudden had been the demand, and
in such seeming innocent curiosity, thai
I put my hand back to give it him
But second thought decided me, and
replied that it was no great curiosity
and would show it to him in the morn
ing.
BY this time the men had gathered a
round me, and seeing things looked rath
er peculiar, 1 backed myself through tn,
door, followed by the host. When tn,
door was closed 1 could hear loud muir
murings, and an oath uttered in vehemen
tones.
The landlord hurried me up a feebl
pair of stairs, and in a few yards from
the landing, pushed open door an,
bade me enter. glanced around th
2 apartment, and showed by my action
that 1 was dissatisfied with its appear
ance. l
1t is the best can do for you, stran
ger,' said he, and you needn't be afrai
of them fellows down stairs, they won
: hurt anybody
4 shall not be alarmed replied, a
he closed the door and descended tn
steps. ota 53a
I was somewhat annoyed at the or
pearance of things, and determined t
! place myself in the best possible positio
{ of defense. examined my quarter
closely, and found the door had no fas
: ening whatever, nor was there any.hin
9 fconvenient with which it could be secul
Q ed.i p. ],-,a ai# 1a# g.
!. Determined not to be baf1ed, I tore
l strip of board from the wall, and with m
knife cut out piece sufficiently long t
: make brace from the lower clete of th
s door to the floor Then with my pockt
: knife bored holes in the casing at th
: upper end, drawing several nails frol
s the wall, drove, them in with the har
! die Of my large knife. Having examine
the walls and apprehending no treacher
from them, secured the window, an
then turned my attention to the foo
Beneath the bed discovered trap doc
l and its discovery made my hair stand O
end. / found it opened downward an
the possibility, of securing it strongl
8 seemed hopeless. e.g r G
t h, Once thought of removing the be
and then watching, as a trapper does
hole in the ice for game. But thu
!, would not do, for tho / should success
fully repulse the first intruder-for ha
no longer doubt of being in q Robber
$ roost-it would leave hole open whic
: would expose me to their fire. A
, length plan came to my relief.
threw the chaff bed upon the foor,g an
! directly. over the suspected trap. But ol
horror l. what discovery had mad
! The bed was saturated with blood, and
3 many places hard from the gore whie
Q had dried in it. r. al .as.....s
Having thus fortified, took a seat o
9 one, end, of the bed, with my saddle bag
close by me, my knife in one hand, an
my revolver in the other, and my ammr
: nition convenient in case I should nee
t lit. blew out my light and in the darl
Eness awaited the announcement of tb
, plot. How long I had waited coul
not tell, but in spite of my perilous stir
alton, my eyes grew heavy, and we
g almost overcome with sleep. But
! slight moving Of the bed aroused all m
perceptiye faculties and in an instant