The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-06-14
The Horse-Dealer,s story.

roads, and when highwaymen abounded
along the great route from Calais to Paris, a
noted drover, who had been to Boulogne
with large drove of horses, which he had
sold for cash, was overtaken by night, on
his return, near Marquise. He remembered
that little distance ahead was a quiet inn
he had never stopped at, and he determined
to spend the night there
As I've rode up to the house, the landlord,
q respectable looking person, received his
horse, and led him away to the stable, while
he invited the drovcr to enter the public
sitting-room.
Here he found two young men, one Of
whom, from his resemblance to the landlord,
ne recognized as his son; the other, some
what older, from his manners, appeared also
to belong to the family. Immediately after
supper during which the drover stated
where he had been and what good luck he
had met with,) the son mounted horse,
and stating that he was going to Marquise
to stay all night, rode Of The drover hav-
ing looked after the comfort Of his horse,
soon after requested the landlord to show
him to his room.
As the traveller slipped off his garments
ne felt for his leathern belt about his waist,
to see that it WAS Secure. This contained
his gold. while his paper money was in a
large wallet, carried in q pocket made for
that purpose, in the inside Of his vest. De-
posting these articles beneath his pollow, he
extinguished the light and threw himself
upon the bed, when, overcome by WEAKNESS,
he soon fell asleep.
How long he had been in this state of for
getfuiness he could not tell when he was
aroused to wakefulness by the sound of
some persons endeavoring to open the win
dow near the head of his bed. At the same
time he heard suppressed voices without, As
ofseveral persons in whispered consultation.
Startled by this suspicious appearance Of
things, the drover reached towards the chair
on which he had thrown his clothes for his
weapons; but to his dismay, he remembered
that cn his arrival, when preparing to wash
off the dust Of his journey, he had laid them
aside within the bar, and had neglected to
resume them.
Scarcely conscious of what he was doing,
the defenseess drover slipped from the foot
ofthe bed. and hid himself in the darkness
behind a lot Of women's dresses suspended
from the wall, and watched the motions of
man who was now slowly and cautiously en-
teriny the room. He even fancied he could
detect the reflection Of the dim light upon
an appraised knife as the man approached the
bed with staggering and uncertain steps,
But great was his relief when, instead Of an
attempt at murder. the intruder carelessly
shntflsd off his clothes, and throwing himself
into the bed he had just vacated, was soon
buried in deep 81 Imber.
Not knowing what to make ofthis strange
affair, the drover determined to dress him
SELF call up the landlord. and have this sin
euiar intTusion explained. He had reached
his clothes and slipped on his trousers, and
was moving towards the door, when steps
were heard cautiously crossing the outer
room. Once more he sought the shelter Of
che dresses, which completely screened his
person, and awaited the entrance of the per-
sons, whoever they might be. Presently
the door of the room vas silently opened.
and two men made their appearance. TWAS
not so dark but that the drover could read
lily distinguish them to be the innkeeper aud
the man he had seen at the supper table.
"Step lightly, | tell you," whispered the
landlord, "or you'll wake him up, and then
wen have pretty mess on our hands"
Nonsense r. replied the other, with an
oath, "You are scared, old mani
"Scared!" repeated, the first speale
"No man ever told jean GARNER before he
was scared! Here. give me the knife III
show you who is scared! You secure the
money--its under the pillow-I saw him
put il there, and I'll do the rest" %
The old man was in advance, and as h
stood between the window and the drovel
the latter could see his form bent over tn.
bed, while his hand seemed to be searching
beneath the pillow.
Here, Henr;-take II. Heres the vale
and here's the belt. How heavy It isr'-
ead he passed the money to Ills companion