The gazette and Democrat. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1860, 1860-04-05

lelC III tDelr Hiance SOmetnnb more OF
the ferociousness of the wild beast, than
the gentle gaze of human beings. -
"Take a seat, stranger2" said burly
thick set man as he handed me a char,
which groancd pileously with its inGrml.
ties. AS cast glance upon the group
before me,,l seemed to hesitate, which
was instantly noticed, and the officiating
man, who seemedto be landlord, came
toword me, and il conciliaory tone and
as gentle as could be expected, said.
"Sorry cant accommodate you better;
stranger, but make yourself at home, well.
do the best we kin" .ea .r.g
y A significant glance passed among the
men las the host concluded his hospilable
invitations which did not escape my no.
tice. Z. a.r., . -arH HH a. .
Al length supper was served, consist
ing of COIN bread and bacon, and for this
meagre fare abundant apologies weto Of.
fered. .,.s.,.g ..f.-.. .r. .tert ..'
After listening while to their disgust
ing conversation, l informed my host l
would like to retire. ra.
"Will you leave your saddle bags"
said he, with bland smile. as he extend
ed his moUstrous hand 10 take them.
"No, sir" l replied with heavy
frown gathered on my brow. .a..
~ have a very safe place 10 keep them"
he rcjoined, whilst his bloodshot eyes
CLEANED with malice and avaricc. J..
h "No doubt said | with meaning nod
"but I would prefer taking them with
me" en-. lrf.- .9r ..a .a...t
This conclusion was received rather
cody, and as prepared to leave the
room one Of the men espied the handle of
my revolver prorruding from beneath my
Ecoat. r.u..t t- tt44
"Hello, stranger!r he exclaimed in a
quick tone, ''let's see that ere pistol, will
you2" es i.a ts 7 a.7f
So sudden had been the demand, and in
such seeming innocent curiosity, that
put my hand back 10 give it to him. -
But second thought decided me, and |
replied that it was nogreat curiosity, and
| would show it 10 him in the morning.
By this time the men had gathered a
round me, and seeing things look rather
peculiar, | backed myself through the
door, followed by the host. When the
door was closed could hear loud mur-
murings, and an oath uttered in vehement
tones. .-.aa.-...
The landlord hurried me up feeble
flight Of stairs, and in a few yards from
the landing, pushed open door and bad(
me enter. i glanced around the apart
ment, and showed by my actions that
was dissatisfied with its appearance.
at is the best | can do for you. straL
ger" said he, land you needn't be afralC
Of them fellows down stairs they won
hurt anybody"
II shall not be alarmed l replied, al
he closed the door and descended the
steps. | was somewhat annoyed at the
appearance of things. and determined tt
place myself IN the best possible position
of defense. l examined my quarters
closely, and found that the door had NJ
fastening whatever, nor was there any
thing convenient with which it could bc
secured. ..,......t ..."
Determined not to be foiled, l tore {
strip Of board from the wall, and with my
knife cut out piece sufficiently long tC
make brace from the lower clete Of thG
: door to the floor. Then with my pocke
knife | bored h Jles in the casing at tht
upper end drawing several nails from tho
= wall, drove them in with the handle ol
: my large knife. Having examined lh'
e walls and apprehenGing no treachcrJ
d from them, | turned my attention to tht
: floor. Beneath the bed | discovered
trap door and its discovery made IN.
d hair stand on end. found it opened
downward and the possibility of securing
il strongly seemed hopeless. s..|
!. Once | thought of removing the bet
: and then watching, as a trapper does
J, hole in the ice for game. But that woulo
n not do for though | should successful.
l rspulse the first intruder-lor ] had n
}. longer doubt Of being in a Rcbber'
IS roost-it would leave hole open whic
il would expose me to their Ere AT length
y plan came 10 my relief. moved th
d bad from over the door, and taking tn
l. clothes off, l threw the chaff he'd upo
). ths floor, and directly oyerthe suspectc
a trap. But oh, horror what discover
d | had made. The bed was saturated wit
blood, and IN many places hatd from til
ID gore which had dried in it.
ID Having thus fortified, took q seat o
one end of the bed, with my saddle bag
in close by me, my knife in one hand and m
is revolver in the other, and my ammunitio
at convenient in case should need it.
blew out my light, and in the darkness I
il. waited the denouement Of the plot. Ho
b, long had waited could not tell, bu.
A spite of my perilous situation my eye
ne grew heavy, and was almost overcon
Of with sleep. But an easy moving Of Il
s. bed aroused all my perceptiye faoul.is
nd aud 10 an instant was wide awake.
lit moved several times quite easy, and the
ed all became quiet. listened a few IN
ch meuts, but could hear nothing, Presen
,ct Ily faint whisper came from an adjoinir
ed room; my eyes followed the directio
xt and | saw a small stream of light pOuriI
to through an opening in the partition.
ID, stole softly to the spot, and listened
IS moment, tEen put my eye to the ope
ing. and had fair view OF the operatN
ol- inside. #
xt So horrible was the sight then b
held, that its recollections will never