The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1865-08-26
VOL. XXV.---No, s.
A STRANGE AFFAIR.
ny EMERSON BENNET.


Atawav.side inn, or the old southern post
road. between Philade phia and Chester, IN
the State of Pennsylvania, very strange
nnd curious affair occurred IN tne lHll Oh
I7y7, Oar dark. rainy, disagree1ble night,
a mounted traveller, well mniflcd up IN u
Great coat, with its broad ca"c turned up
over his head like cowl, his chin and the
lower mart of his face buried in large ban
dana handkerchief, and with Il broad black
patch over his right eye, rode up to the
tavern, and called for supper and lodging.
At the large fire burning in the chimney OF
the barroom. he sat and warmed and dried
himself. while his meal was being prepared,
without removing any of his garments, not
even 50 much rs his hat. and when the land
lord at length announced that his rrpast
was ready, he simply remarked:
Il have 4 severe pain in my faces" you
must excuse my going to the table as am
He ate his supper in silence, and showed
no disposition for conversation, called for
GLASS Of strong brandy and water, and soon
after asked to be conducted to his room,
adding that he was very much tatigucd.
:. By the way" he said to the landlord,
who in person lighted him to his bedroom.
"I'mav 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
II reckon they'd be quite as safe here
with yoursclf-thongh I'll keep them Tor
Won, If you wish me to.
lou Il obllge me by dong So feJo'''eu
the stranger. .,1
Well, then ta'i the ihhAeePtr'
must know no" much money SGu W ,s''
here, if I've got to be reSPoni'ol9 s2r IT,
Dlnuca nnnn thn mock Gt- book then. ana
count for yourself, returned the stranger.
The host did so and Sald--' make 1t
two hundred and fifteen dollars,
- Right.' reJolued the traveller anu
while I'm about 1t. may as wei @Iu 'Hl5
purse, winch contains hl'y one "o''''o III
specie.
The landlord also counted the CON- part
gold and part silver sad the amount was
right and then went out, o'"ul"s the oVheF
good night.
About two clock IN the morning a
ncghbor, living WITHIN S'on' 'hr"" 3l
the tavern. ana VINO chanccn |" ne "P WIN
sick ch'ld, iahricd ne hGaFu' ""o'c 'i!e
roar of the storm, winch hna 'nrcar'n III
violence, a Wlid shriek, io''oWeu u! wv"
cries Of " Help! Murder
lie was rather a tlmld man, ana was much
ALARMED. lie blew out ms hight Cautiously
opened the door, looked out and IIStGne';I
The storm beat INTO his face ana ho"Ied
around his dwelling, but he cou see noIh
ing, not even a light at the mn ana ne heard
nothing more that sounded IKE human
voice. He shat the door ana fastened II,
aud then woke up ms wlIc ana 'o,u her an
She happened to be woman OF unusual
nerve and courage. and after putting Il le"
qucSNons rePlcu' WIN Ea"n
." Oh, jim, 1t was only one OF your iancicS.
l"n arc always hearing something 'haI
nobody else does just thlnk now many
times you have hunted the house over Tor
robbers, since We ilVed with YOU just
tend to Mary, Will yo"' ana Leu me get !"
Little sleep. for you know dldh nave any
last mig ht.'
81 know IT WASH fancy, out a rear
human cry gruno'"d the man. as ne
walked away ana ailo"cu MS uro"Sy spouse
TO return to her dreams.
he d"Ii' leadem cray OF morning was JI''
beginning to dlspcI the 'nky hIacNneSS OF lhe
stormy night when me landlord OF she way
side inn was aroused by series OF 1nun nf
ing knocks upon the outer door OF ms nam
tation. He sprang out of bed, hastily drew
on hS 'roWerS ana boo'S' TOOK nus "ai''coa'
IN his hand and hurried down TO ms sup
posed customers. oh opening the do"r' ne
lound himself c"n'roh'tu ny TWO 'ouSn
'''N'"5 ~ "''' ~ ''' ,
storm winch n1 as yet, s"a scarcely aoI,eI
its fury Their horses painting sPiaSheIi
with mud with dropping heads were m'c c,
to the nearest post, anu showed ny 'h''r
looks that they had been riudch last ana
far.
Did a mounted traveller stop at this inn
last night - abruptly inquired one OF the
two.
- Yes" was the answer.
" Is he here still?'
" He is"
g viii you describe his appearance -
" AS well as ! can, SAID the wondering
host. for didn't get to see much Of his
face and he not only proceeded with a
description OF his person; buy added all mat
the traveller had said and done, including
the affair OF the money.
:" think we've got him this time =, said
the one who had addressed the landlord,
turning to his companion
. 1t looks like it," was the reply, ;, but
he's no doubt desperate fellow, and We
had better proceed with caution TIL we make
all sure =
" llark you, landlord y said the first
speaker, in "a low tone, "a word in your
private ear We are officers of justice from
Philadelphia, in pursuit of II bank rQbber,
and we suspect your strange guest to be the
man we seek ! Here is the warrant for his