The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1861-04-04

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So saying. he put spurs TO bis horse
and rode away. Ten minutes sharp RI
ding brought the charcoal burners cgbr
in view. As be first caught sight Of it
he thought he detected mans face pres
se1 against one Of the windows. OF lhit
however he could not be certain, as the
face if such it was, Instantly disappeared
At the sound Of his horses hoofs, an old
woman appeared in the doorway, and ga
zing curiousy at him waited till he rode
up. The horseman could not help think
ing that the woman was most fitting
companion for her husband. The ex
preston Of her countenance was ever
more villianous; he did mol stop to crit
else her appearance. but courteously sa
luted her. saying.
81 believe, Madam that you are th,
wife Of charcoal burner. whom met uy
the road"
The woman answered in the affirmative
"Then will tell you that l am bound fol
P, winch I wished to reach be
fore nightfall. Te told me of a LANE
which is much shorter than the regular
road, which he said you could point ou
to me-
Certainly. If this is all Monsieur
wishes. he is easily satisfied You may
see, little way up. that large tree, which
towers above the rest. Just beyond thai
a large rock and the lane enters the roaG
on the other eide Of II. AS it IS very
narrow and newly grown up with bushes
YOU would hardly notice it. But will
these directions you can hardly fall"
"Never you fear, l shall not miss the
road
'Ts that all Monsieur wishes?',
II believe so; but stop a minute. ]
offered your husband piece of gold, bu
he refused to take it. Perhaps you may
be more sensible"
The old woman greedily took the pro
ferel coin, saying;
"Piarre is 100 sensitive. We nigh
both starve before be would take a cent.
81 see You differ from him llttle.' re
turned the horseman, laughing. He ther
put spurs to his horse and ro'e on. ini
few minutes he reached the rock alluded
TO, and could then perceive the entranc,
to narrow lane, arlfully concealed by
bushes. He soon made his way through
them, and when once into the lane fount
it a little wider than be expected. 1t al
so became free oi ushes as he proceeded
He Slapped moment 10 examine the pri
ming of lis pistols, mutteiing:
"My worthy friends are rather sharp
They do not do their numbering in tn
open road where spilled blood nigh
lead to their detection but inveigle tn
unfortunate traveller into the dark lane
where he may be safely put out Of th
way and none be the wiser of it, At an,
rate, l am fully prepared for them, ant
they will not put me ou! Of the way with
out struggle"
Having seen that his arms we're read
for use. he rode slowly forward, keeping
: a careful watch on each side Of the road
that lie might no, he surprised. AS lon
as the woods kept open as they were, b
had NO fear as there was no good hidin
place for man. Ere long the woods be
gan to get thicker and more sombre
, Lit lie hilocks covered with bushes be
came fire quent, until at last they becam
= long ange skirting each side of tn
I road. The horseman felt that the tim
! which vas 10 try him was near at han
and he dropped the reius until lis han
covered holster pistol, which he 6rml
3 glasped though in such manner as
person would not notice. and he assume
an air of careessness, though his watc
7 was now keener than ever. At length b
: came TO place which he felt certain col
tanned his enemy Mature seemed TO hav
adopted this place for the purpose of cor
' cealment The rocks which skirted lh
road at this place were about breast hig
! aud so perpendicular as 10 have the al
: pearahce ola wall. They we're covere
with growth OF bushes so thic
as 10 be n'arly impervious. The ia
trees on each side of the road twined the
b tops together, forming natural roof
s leaves and branches, and rendering Il
o place as dark and dismal as midnight.
It 1t was indeed scene sufficient to q
! pail the stoutest hearts; but the horsem;
although he knew that the next nome
l. might be his last. rode forward with
careless an air as he might have dol
st had he been travelling the streets of
If populous city. His hand still grasp'
y the butt of a pistol, and his keen ey
still SEARCHED each covert, Suddenly
10 pistol shot rang out upon the air, and b
IS ha! fell to the ground with bullet he
t. through il, not more than an inch abo
where his head had been. Instant
j. turning in the direction of the sound,
'e beheld a slight wreath of smoke curlil
up from behind bush, and without
y moments hesitation he leveled his pist
and fred. The aim was terribly fat
e, A wild shrek rang upon the air. and t
n. next moment there spra1g from behil
10 the tree, moi the charcoal burner as
expected, but that of his wife. T
K blood was flowing cOpiously from b
a forehead, and she presented horril
ID spectacle. She tottered to the edge
I'd the wall of rocks, and fell into the road
9. a'corpse.
le "HadI known il to be wohian.," {
,g horseman mut:ered, Il never would hs
Ill fred. But it is too late tomoralize. WI
is can have become Of the charcoal burne
al As he spoke he turned around quick
be and encountered the object ofhis thougl
's, II was lucky for him 'thathe was SO quiz
ad The charcoal burner held gleami