Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1865-01-04

for several years, but had found i difficult t.
nius.ef sufficient courage to undertake It.
he was afraid the cars Would run of tht
track, or the steamboat would blow up, OIL
something equally fatal would happen he
staid in Buffalo two days; being Unable u de-
eide whether it would be safest to go to De-
troit by cars or boat. He decided to 60 by
boat, when he CHANGED to read Of an accidehI
which happened to Mississippi river steam
boat This decided him to take the cars
when unfortunately tidings came Of train
running of the track somewhere in Georgia.
Accordingly he, with many dO!eful apprsben-
sions, took passage on the boat, and, oOnsid-
erably to his surprise, was landed safely in
Detroit.
However, am not going to detail, step by
step, all that happened on the journey. Suf-
iUe it to say, that one evening Mr.. Pink
found himself riding in lonely part of Hi
nois., Night was approaching, and Mr.. Pink
would not for all the world have ridden
through the night exposed to thieves, wild
beasts, and all the terrors that night naturally
brings to a nervous man. --.--.
Fortunately this was not needful There
loomed up before him respectable looking
house which no doubt, if the occupants were
so disposed, would afford him comfortable
shelter for the night.
Jumping from his horse he knocked at the
door,
A baxOin &UHian presented herself at the
summons.
"Iam benighted traveller, explained Mr..
Pink sand should be very glad ifyod would
provide me with nights lodging"
"YOu are welcome, stranger, said the wO-
man, heartily. You, Jim, come here and
take the strangers horse. Step right in, sir.
We can accommodate you as well as not"
Most men would have considered this
very warm and respectable welcomes but
Pink felt troubled.
''She's a good deal too glad to see me" he
thought. 4 am afraid she has some design
On me, perhaps she thinks I've got money
and means to steal it dtring the night. I've
heard Of such things before"
To the jauhdiced eyes of Mr.. Pink, the
good natured face of his hostess assumed the
of Lady Macbeth, just as she is
about to use the dagger.
However, he had got himself into scrape,
and could not very well get out oft Better
remain than arouse the woman's suspicious Of
his knowledge of her purpose by proposing to
90. She would undoubtedly dispatch ennis
saries after him who would waylay and mur-
der him.
Ughl it made him shudder to think of such
a thing.
In very despohding state of mind, Mr..
Pink pattook Of his supper. He declined
taking any tea.
Likely as not she has pitt a sleeping pO-
tion into It. Eve read about such things
Oh, dear me | Why did I ever come out
West2 It's as much as anybody's life is
worth. II only get home to Mrs Pink in
safety, viii never again tempt Providence
as I atn DUNG now"
d., Mr.. Pink sat with his back TO the wall
he thought that by so doing he should guard
against an attack from behind, though for
that matter, there was nobody to make it ex-
cept his hostess already mentioned, and her
son "Jim," boy Of ten, who indeed was
stout of his age, and might possibly have
proved match for Mr.. Pink, who in a contest
would have been. afraid to use what little
strength be had. gfg $ s
At length, in came buriy farmer : stout
man, full six feet in height, clothed in blue
rock. st E.s.g fE.t .ss
"How immensely strong he must bel
thought Theophilus Pink, with his teeth chat
.ering in alright. Suppose he should knock |
ne down with that sledge-hammer-fst Ofhis,
lake my money, and bury me in the cellar"
This thought made him shiver, so that Mr..
Armstrong, thenew conner, inquired
"Got the agqe, Mister?"
'rN-o. What makes you ask 2"
~ saw you shaking Didn't know but
what you'd got it. We have it a good deal
out this way
The farmer had a frank, open manner, this,
Mr.. Pink admitted to himself, but felt little |
doubt that it was only meant to mask deceit,
he was half apprehBnsiVe that an attack would |
be made before he retired, and therefore ex-
pressed desire to be shown to his chamber
1t once, though it was yet but eight o'clock.
'No doubt yOu are tired with your long
tramp" said Mr.. Armstrong, the farmer
well, we keep early hours here. Shall I
larry your earpet-bag for your" "
"N-no, guess I'll take it. There isn't
much in it" ~. i
aBut that little is valuable" " said his host,
okingly.
'Not at all, said Mr.. Pink, hastily, unwiIl-
ng to convey such dangerous impression,
only few shirts.
"Those are valuable to you reckon, for if !
hey were lost, I don't think mins would fit
you"
Mr.. Pink laughed hervOusly at this Joke,
but said nothing.
aHope you'll have quiet night" said Mr.,
Armstrong.
Mr.. Pink looked around him nervously.-I
There seemed to be nothing very peculiar
about TIE room. ItwsAa large square room.
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