Litchfield enquirer., 1863-04-23
Alisfellanp.
Entrapping n Murderer.

t f--- spEcuLAroR's STORY. A
 In the year 1853 I went to the Red River country with a view of speculating in horses lands, or anything that might give promise of a profitable return for . cash investment. Of course carried good deal of money with me, but knowing was going among wild, lawless class, of every grade and color-among half civilized Indians, negroes, gamblers, thieves, robbers, murderars and assassins-with perhaps . few settlers ofsome claim to honor and hon esty, if they could be sifted out from the mass -l thought it the safest plan not to seem we'll off in this worlds goods. Accordingly I se- cured my money in belt about my body, put on very coarse, rough dress, which by inten- tional carelessness, soon had very mean, slov- enly appearance, and allowed my hair and beard to manage matters their own way, with out any troublesome interference. of razor or comb. Thus prepared, and armed with two revolvers and Bowie knife. passed over some dangerous territory in comparative safety, and fattered myself that no one guessed my riches through my apparent poverty.
 In fact, on two occasions, began to think it might have been advantageous to have looked little mere respectable. The first of these was, when travelling in the Choctaw nation, found a 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 vas not in the habit of naming his price to every wandering beggar that chose to satisfy an idle curiosity. Twas disposed at first to put on some dignity and get indignant but concluded after careful survey of my person. that the man had good cause for speaking as he did, and so merely as- sured him that knew an individual who wish ed to buy horses, if he could get them at fair price. The horse-owner, however, was not disposed to believe my statement, and 80 I passed him by, with the resolve that, if nothing better turned up. Iwould give him another call under more advantageous appearance. As the second instance alluded to was similar to the first, it may be passed over without further notice.
 But out of the same cause grew very re- narkable adventure, which it is my present purpose to relate.
 While passing between two settlements over very lonely, gloomy horse path, leading through dark, hemlock wood, and while in the most solitary part. there suddenly came be- fore me, leaping from thicket on the right, a human figure of a most startling appearance. It was man of medium height, but of stout, powerful frame, all covered with dirty tatters, that he appeared to have worn and widowed in for years. He had no covering for his head or feet, and his skin was so coated with grime tha: it was difficult at first look to tell wheth CT he belonged to the white race or not. His face, high up on his cheeks, was covered with dirty brown beard, and his matted hair hung in wild profusion all around his head, except a little space before his swollen, blood-shot eyes, and altogether he looked like a madman or human devil. He held and swung formida- ble club, and his attitude, as he leaped into the road before me, was one of fierce menace and defiance.
 stopped in alarm, and while fixing my eyes sharply on his, quietly slid my hand into a convenient pocket and grasped the butt of one of my revolvers. firmly determined to keep him at the short distance that divided us, or kill him if he advaaced.
 For perhaps half minute we stood silently regarding and surveying eacb other, and then. resting one end of his club on the ground, and partly lenning forward on the other, he said, in . coarse, gruff tone. with kind of chuckling laugh !:
 "Wsll,---me! Is in hopes I'd got prize at last but if you're much better off nor me you don't show it, by -! Stranger, who ar You and whar you from !'' la {" Well," returned I, feeling highly eompli- mented, of course, that reser,bled such a sillainous looking object as himself. ]" some people call me beggar, and know I don't pass for genteel gentleman"
 I'll sw'ar to that-haw haw haw ]" was his chuckiing response. The world baint made much of you, more'n it has of me. T sec steal in your face as plain as daylight. Say what jail or penitentiary lost you last 2" ! P Never mind that '. said l, probably neith- CT of us got our deserts"
 We'll. if you'd been decently dressed, lock. ed like you had five dollars about you, I'd have knocked your brains out P pursued the villain with broad grin. As it is you can pass for can sw'ar you haint got red r Much obliged for your candor, anyhow P rsjoined l. z sss,s.s He still stood before me, looking stTaigh, into my eye, andnow seemed to be ponderinl some new idea. Presently he muttered, as il to himself 5. 4.s sIs. s4: ,s
 sa Ithink he might do." Then. 2 momea1 after, he said to nc, q say old fellow ho'wi you ike to mako raise ?''
 How would like to eat when hungry z l I answered, thinking it not unlikely that th' scoundrel had some dark project in yIew which | arrrh