The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-10-19
4 STRANGE -4IF4TR.
BY EMERSON BENNETT.

Chester, in the State of PENNSYLVANIA. a
very strange and curious affair occurred
III the fall of 1897. One dark, rainy, dis
agreeable night, a mounted traveller,
well muffied up in a great coat, with its
broad cape turned up over his head like
cowl, his chin and the lower part of his
lace buried in large bandana handker-
chief, and with a broad black patch over
his right eye, rode up to the tavern, and
called for supper and lodging. At the
large tire burning in the chimney of the
bar-room, he sat and warmed and dried
himself, while his meal was being pre-
pared, without removing any of his gar
mentS, not even so much as his hat, and
when the landlord at length announced
that his repast was ready, he simply re-
marked:
l have severe pain i'll my face-so
you must excuse my going to the table
as am"
He ate his supper in silence, and show
ed no disposition for conversation, called
for a glass of strong brandy and water,
and soon after asked to be conducted to
his room, adding that he was very much
fatigued.
BY the way" he said to the landlord.
who in person lighted him to his bed
room, i" [ may as we'll 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:
:" | reckon they'd be quite as safe here
with yourself though Pill keep them for
you, if you wish me to-"
You'll oblige me by doing so,n re-
joined the stranger.
" Well, them" said the innkeeper, 81
WED Iyr,
got here, if I've got to be responsible for
it."
Please open the pocket-book then,
and count for yourself,' returned the
stranger.
The host did SO and said-"I make it
two hundred and fifteen dollars.u
Rightn' rejoined the traveller, sand,
while Pm about it, may as we'll add
this purse, which contains fifty-one dol
lars in specie"
The landlord also counted the coin.
part gold and part silver, said the amount
was right, and then went out, bidding
the other good night.
About two O'Clock in the morning, a
neighbor, living within stones throw
of the tavern, and who had CHANGED to
be up with sick child, fancied he heard,
above the roar of the storm, which had
increased in violence, a wild shrek, fol-
lowed by two cries of Help! Murder!v
He was a rather timid man, and was
much alarmed. He blew out 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 like a human voice. He
shut the door and fastened it, and then
woke up his wife and told her all. She
happened to bea woman of unusual nerve
and courage, and after putting a few
questions, replied, with a yaWn:
"Oh, Jim, it was only one of your fam
cies. Youare always hearing something
that nobody else does! just think how
many times you have hunted the house
over for robbers, since I've lived with
you. just tend to Mary, will you, and
let me get little sleep, for you know
didn't have any last night"
l know it wasn't fancy, but a real
human cry!" grumbled the man, as he
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 lard
lord OF the Wayside inn was aroused by
a series of laundering knocks upon the
outer door of his habitation. He sprang
out of bed, hastily drew on his trowsers
and boots, took his waistcoat in his hand.
and hurried down to his supposed custo-
mers. On opening the door, he found
himselfconfronted by two rough looking
men, well mutfled up against the storm,
which, as yet, had scarcely abated its
fury. Their horses painting, splashed
with mud, with dropping heads, were
hitched to the nearest post, and showed
by their looks that they had been ridden
fast and far.
"Did mounted traveller stop at this
inn last night ?" abruptly inquired one
of the two.
" Yes" was the answer.
Is he here still?"
He is"
"Will you describe his appearance p,
AS well as I can," said the wonder
ing host, =" for l didn't get to see much
of his face" and he not only proceeded
with description of his person, but add
ed all that the traveller had said and
done, including the affair of the money.
81 think we've got him this time p
said the one who had addressed the land.