The mountain Democrat., 1863-02-07
AN OBL1GING JUDGE.

| 4uNOuKuOub tuC NCbtCtA AVu SOutu~
western portions of the United States, the
inhabitants possess certain peculiar char.
aeteristics, which, in ell ages and in al
most every country, have marked those
living midway between savage and civiIi-
zed life.
This is more particularly the case with
the hunters and trappers who fellow their
calling in the Far West, as it is termed {;
and whose virtues and whose vices alike
are not those Of the 'dwellers in cities.
In them personal courage and endurance,
fidelity to their word, and q certain rude
( {siaApMSlty Of character, are frequently
found in conjunction with total disre-
gard for those laws by which society, in
moro settled communities, provides for its
own security.
Their code Of morality is, in fact, their
own; and, occasionally, as WHY II .,1lL- II
the following narrative, may lead man,
who obeys its dictates, into the perpetra
tion of an enormous crime, for the pur.
pose Of avoiding the commission of what,
in comparison, might be termed q venial
error.
About eight years ago had occasion
to travel through several Of the Southern
States, for the purpose of collecting va
rious debts due to large Boston drygoods
house, of which was one of the clerks
While in Texas, l stopped one evening at
small town called jackson, near the
Mexican frontier, and put up for the night
at the only hotel the place could boast
| had just seated myself at supper, when
the door opened, and tall, strongly built
man entered the room.
He was clothed in the usual hunters
costume, viz: q tight-ttting buckskin
hunting shirt, with leggings and mocca-
sins Of the same material. A belt of un.
dressed deerskin, buckled round his waist,
supported heavy Colts revolver on one
side, while on the other was suspended q
leather sheath containing bowie knife Of
formidable dimensions.
lie placed the rifle he carried in his
hand against the wall, and then proceeded
to take off the belts which hung over his
brawny shoulders, sustaining his shot
pouch and powder horn, which were Gu
riOusly wrought, and evidently the work
Of some Mexican artist.
Having thus relieved himself, the stran-
ger drew stool up to the fire, and placing
bis muscular hands Oh his thighs, seemed
to peer with his keen, penetrating eyes
into the cracking fire, which roared up
the chimney.
AS he had not Saluted me when he en-
tered, as is usual in that section of the
country, took no further notice of him;
or [ presumed his wan: of success in
hunting had put him in an ill.humor, and
it was not improbable that if he discover
ed my gaze fixed pertinaciously upon him
he might be disposed TO fasten quarrel
upon me.
therefore directed my attention exclu-
sivcly TO the meal before me, but the knife
and fork almost fell from my hands as his
stentorian voice struck upon my ear; and
in spite Of myself a slight tremor stole
I through me as heard the awful tone in
which he spoke the last word.
Landlord, give the some liquOr-l have
money y
The landlord glanced at his guest, and
hesitated for moment, but the stranger
raised bis eyes; the effect was magical !;
in an instant q well filed whisky bottle
and q tin tumbler, were placed beside
him.
Landlord, hang that on the rife but
stop, give me the knife first
Aud he handed the waiStbelt, pistol and
scabbard to the host, whilst he thrust the
knife in the bosom OF his hunting shirt.
AS the inn keeper WAS obeying the bidding
Of his strange visitor, the latter poured
the tumbler full Of whisky, and tossed it
off at draught
Landlord, he abruptly said again, 4
want something TO eat-Pve money for
that too
There was deep tone in his voice, as
he uttered these words, that disturbed me
strangely.
An additional plate was placed on the
table, and the stranger seated himself op-
p0site to me.
He had tine face-a careless indepen-
dence in it which l liked; but the cour-
teous manner in which he said, 4 hope l
amt one too many here stranger?' excited
my surprise. assured him that his com.
pany was agreeable to me rather than on
the contrary, as l much disliked eating
alone.
Enough said,' answered he; there's
my fist and We shook hands across the
table.
His appetite was in proportion to his
bulk, and we scarcely spoke again until
after supper, when he commenced con-
versation from which discovered him to
be man Of unusual natural ability, al
though rough and uncultivated.
During our dialogue evidently made a
favorable impression upon him, and, in
return for my courtesy, he recounted many
deer, wolf and bear hunts with such pow
er, that was delighted. The converse
ton, however, after time tagged, and l
fell into train of musing on the business
which had led me to that part of the coun-
try.
A gloom gradually settled over the face
Of my companion, from which, when l
observed it, endeavored in vain to rouse
him. He answered me courteously, to be
sure, but very abruptly; and every now
and then he had recourse to the bottle,
until it was emptied.
Landlord, fetch me more liquorP he
called out authoritatiyely; and he drank
more and more, till finally he fell from his
stool and, as retired to bed in an ad,
joining room, l heard his snoring through
the inn.
Being much fatigued, having Travelled
forty miles on horseback during the day,
l slept until felt hand grasping my arm
opening my eyes, saw the sun shi-
ming through the windows, and my COM
panion of the previous evening standing
beside me.
Stranger said he, excuse me, but l
saw last night that you were a whole
souleG fellow, and I want you to 60 with
me-