Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-04-07
A Strange Affair.
BY EMERSON BENNET.


broad cape turned up over his heac
like a cowl, his chin and lower part o
his face buried in a large bandani
handkerchief, and with broad, blaci
patch over his right eye, rode up 10 tht
tavern, and called for supper and lodg
ing. AT the large fire burning in thu
chimney of the barroom, he sat anC
warmed aud dried himself, while his mea
was being prepared, without removing
any Of his garments, not even SO muct
as his hat and when the landlord a
length announced that his repast wai
ready, be simply remarked;
81 have severe pain in my face--sc
you must excuse my going to the table
as | am"
He ate his supper in silence, showed
no disposition Cor conversation, called
for strong glass of brandy and water
and soon after asked to be conducted tC
his room, adding that he was very much
fatgued.
"By tie way" he said to the landlord
who in person lighted him to bis bed
room, 81 may as well leave my pocket
book and watch in your possession till
morning at the same time handing
these articles TO the host, who took them
with some reluctance, saying;
Il reckon they'd be quite as safe here
with youraelf-though I'll keep them
for you, if you wish me to p
You'll oblige me by doing sol' re-
joined the stranger,
"Well, them" said The inn-keeper, 81
must know how mnch money you've got
here, if I've got to be responsible for it. .
"PIease open The pocket-book then
ard count for yourself" returned the
stranger.
The host did SO, and said;
81 make it two hundred and fifteen
dollars"
Fright !" reioined the traveller "and,
while I'm about it, l may as well add
this purse, which contains ffty>one dol
lars in specie"
The landlord also counted the coin,
part gold and part silver, said the amount
was right, and went out, bidding the other
goodnight.
About two o'clock in the morning, a
living within a stones throw
of the tavern, and who CHANGED 10 be up
with sick child, fancied he heard, above
the roar of the storm, which had increas-
ed in violence, wild shrek, followed by
two cries Of:
"Help Murder !"
He was a rather timid man, and was
much alarmed. He blew cut his light,
cautiously opened the door, looked out,
and listened. The storm beat into his
face and howled around his dwelling !;
but he could see nothing, not even a light
at the inn, and he heard nothing more
that sounded ike a human voice. He
shut the door and fastened it, then woke
up bis wife and told her all. She hap
pened TO be woman of unusual nerve
aud courage, and, after putting a few
questions, replied, with yawn;
ooh, Jim, it was only one of your far
cies! You're always hearing something
that nobody else does Just think how
many times you've hunted the house over
for robbers since I've lived with you
Just tend to Mary, will you, and let me
get a little sleep for you know I didn't
have any last night"
81 know it wasn't any fancy, but real,
human cry !" grumbled the man, as be
walked away and allowed his drowsy
spouse to return to her dreams.
The dull, leaden gray of morning was
just beginning to dispel the inky black
ness of the stormy night, when the land
lord of the wayside inn was aroused by
a series Of laundering knocks upon the
outer door of his habitation. He sprung
out Of bed, hastily drew on his trowsers
and boots, took bis waistcoat in his hand,
and hurried down to his supposed Gus
toners. On opening the door, he found
himself confronted with two rough-look-
ng men, vel ! muffled up against the
storm, which as yet had scarcely abated
n fury. Their horses, painting, splaShed
with mud, with dropping heads, were
hitched at the nearest post, and showed
by their looks that they had been ridden
FAST and far.
"Did a mounted traveller stop at this
nn last night?" abruptly inquired one
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