The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-10-24
Entrapping a Murderer.
A SPECTATORS STORY.

A SPECULAToRS'S STORY.
In the year 1853 went to the Red river
country with view of specializing in horses,
lands or anything that might give promise of
a profitable return for cash investment. OF
course l carried good deal of money with
me, but knowing was going among wild,
lawless class, Of every grade and color,-a-
mong half-civilized Indians negroes, gamb-
iers, thieves, robbers, murderers and assas-
sins-with perhaps few settlers of some
claim to honor and honesty, if they could be
sifted out from the mass-I thought it the
safest plan not to seem we'll off in this worlds
goods. Accordingly secured my money in
belt about my body, put on coarse, rough
dress, which by Intentional carelessness soon
had very mean, slovenly appearance, and
allowed my head and beard to manage mat |
tiers their own way, without any troublesome
interference of razor or comb. Thus prepar-
ed, and armed with two revolvers and bowie
knife, passed some dangerous territory in
comparative safety, and fattered myself that
no one guessed my riches through my appar-
ent poverty.
In fact. on two occasions, began to think
it might have been to my advantage to have
looked little more respectable. The first
of these was when, in travelling in the Choc-
taw nation, l found drove of horses that
pleased me very much, and was told BY
the owner, in reply to my question as to what
he would take head for the entire lot, that
he was not in the habit of naming his price
to every wandering beggar that chose TO sat
isfy an idle curiosity. l was disposed at first
to put on some dignity and &c: indignant,but
concluded, after careful survey of my per-
son, that the man had good cause for speak
ing as he did, ,and so merely assured him that
knew an individual who wished to buy hor-
ses, if he could get them at fair price. The
horse-owner, however, was not disposed TO
believe my statement. and SO passed him
by, with the resolve that, if nothing better
turned up, would give him another call un-
der more advantageous appearance. As
the. second instance alluded to was similar to
the first, it may be passed over without fur
ther notice.
But out of the same cause grew 4 remark
able adventure, which it is my present pur-
pose to notice.
While passing between two settlements,
over very lonely, gloomy horse-path, lead
ing through dark, hemlock od,and while
in the most solitary part,there suddenly came
before me, leaping from thicket ON the right,
a human figure of most startling appear
ance. 1t was man of medium height, but
of stout, powerful frame, all covered with
dirty tatters, that he appeared to have worn
ard wallowed in for years. He had 10 COW
ering for his head or feet, and his skin was
so coated with CRIME that it was difficult at a
first look to tell whether he belonged to the
, white race or not. His face, high upon his
cheeks, was covered with dirty brown beard.
and his matted hair hung in wild profuson
all around his head, except little space he
fore his swollen, bloodshot es,and altcseth-
er he looked like madman or human devil.
His hands held and swung formidable club,
and his attitude, as he leaped out into the
: road before me, was one of fierce menace and
: defiance.
: stopped in alarm, and while fixing my
eyes sharply on him, quietly slid my hand in
to convenient pocket, and grasped the butt
of one of my revolvers, firmly determined to
keep him at short distance that divided US
or kill him if he advanced.
For perhaps half minute We stood silent
ly regarding and surveying each other, and
then resting one end of his club on the
ground, and partly leaning forward on the
other, he said, in a coarse tone, with kint
6 of chuckling laugh
We'll, - me is in hopes Id got prz,
at last but if you're much better off nor me
you don't show it, by -. Stranger, wh'
ar you, and whar you from p
WELL returned l, feeling highly compli
=. mented, of course, that resembled such
=. vilIainous looking object as himself, som
:, people call me beggar, and know don
-. pass for gentleman
3 I'll swar to that-haw, haw, haw p was tn
II chuckling response. The world haint mad
. much of you, morn it has of me. l see stes
~ in your face as plain as daylight. Say, m
~ friend, what Jail or penitentiary lost yo
g last?'
Never mind that said l, probably neithe
of US have got our Deserts
We'll, if you'd been decently dressed, an
g looked like you had five dollars about yo
l le I'd knocked your brains out pursued tt
-. villain, with a broad grin. sAs it is, yo
H. can pass-for l can swar you haint got
n red.'
n Much obliged for your candar, anyhow
L. Il. rejoinel l.
He stood still before me, looking straig
g. into my eye, and now seemed to be ponde
a ing some new idea. Presently he muttere
- - as if to himself,
IT. L think he might do Then, nome
u after, he said to me, 4 say, old fellow, how
ms you like to make a raise -
is ,u nI,., q,