Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-12-15
TALES & SKETCHES.
:
THE UNWELCOME PASSEN.
GERs.
A PBDDLER's STORY.

A cold winters night, several years since,
found "a stage,load Of passengers gathered
together round a warm fire of a tavern bar
room in New England village. Shortly
after we arrived, peddler drove up and
ordered that his horse should be stabbed for
the night. After we had eaten supper we
repaired to the bar.room, where conversa-
tion flowed freely Several anecdotes had
been related, and finally the peddler was
asked to give US a story, as the men of his
profession were generally full! of adventures
and anecdotes. He was short, thick set
man, some where about forty years of age,
and gave evidence ofgreat physical strength
He gave Lis name as Lemuel Vinney, and
his home was in Dover, New Hampshire
well, gentlemen" he commenced, knock
ing the ashes from his pipe, and putting it
in his pocket, suppose tell you the last
thing or any consequence that happened ne.
You see am now right from the West, and
on my way home for winter quarters. 1t
was during the early part of last spring
one pleasant evening, that l pulled up
at the door of a small village tavern in
Hancock county, Indiana. went in, called
for my supper, and had my horse taken care
Of After had eaten, l sat down in the
bar room. 1t began to rain about eight
!.
Now, wanted to be in Jackson the next
morning, for | expected load of goods
there for me, which intended to dispose
of on my way home.
The moon would rise about midnight,
and knew if it did not rain could get
along through the mud very well after that
SO asked the landlord if he would see that
my horse was fed about midnight, as
wished to be off about two. He expressed
snme surprise at this and asked me why
did not stay for breakfast. | told him that
/ had sold nv last load about out, and tha,
a new lot of goods was waiting for me al
Jackson, and wanted to get them before
the express agent left in the morning.
There was a number of persons sitting
around while l told this, but took little
notice of them only one arrested my atten
ton. | had seen that week notice, for the
detection of a notorious robher. The bill,
gave description of his person, and til,
man before me answered very well to it,
He was tall, well formed man, rather
slight in frame, and had the appearance of {
gentleman, save that his face bore thOst
hard, cruel marks which an observing mar
cannot mistake for anything but the indie,
of a vilainous disposition.
When | went to my chamber asked til,
landlord who that man was, describing til,
individual He said he did not know him
He had come there that afternoon, and in
tended TO leave the next day. The hos
asked me why wished to know, and tolt
him that the mans countenance was famil
lar, and merely wished to know if wa
ever acquainted with him.
! was resolved not to let the landlord int
the secret, but to hurry on to Jackson, ant
there to give information to the sheriff, ant
perhaps he might reach the inn before th
villain had left, for had no doubt as to hi
identity.
had an alarm watch, and having set i
to give the alarm a. one o'clock, / went t
sleep. was alarmed at the proper time
and Immediately dressed myself. When
reached the yard found the clouds al
passed away, and the moon was shining
brightly. The hostler was easily aroused
and by two O'Clock | was on the road. TIL
mud was deep, and my horse could no
) travel very fast. However, on we wen
and in the course of half an hour was clea
of the village. At short distance ahea
lay large .orest, mostly of great pine
The road lay directly through this WOOD
and, as near as ! can remember the distanc
was twelve miles. Yet the moon was in til
East, anu as tne TOau ran nearly In III
: West, ! thought should have light enough
had entered this wood and had gor
L about half mile, when my wagon whe
settled with bump and q jerk into dee
hole / uttered an exclamation of astonisl
. ment, but this wes not all. Iheard anoth
exclamation from the same cause. VIII
could this mean2 looked quietly arouu
but could see nothing; yet know that Il
sound was very close behind me. AS Il
>. hind wheels came up felt something b
4. side the jerk from the hole. heard som
!. thing tumble from one side to another
my wagon, and could also feel the jar q
:. . csssioned by the movement. 1t was simp
n n a man in my cart. knew this on the instal
OF course l FELT puzzled. At irst inagin
10 that some one had taken this method to O
H. tain ride. My next idea was that son
AT body had got in to sleep there but Il
" passed away as soon rs it came. for no m
would have broken into my cart for ii
purpose. And that thought, gentlem'
= opened my eyes. Whoever was there b
2, broken in. Ny mex. thought was of I
~ isuspicious individual had seen at the u
~ erp. BE heard me say that my load was
II 4 " ~