The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-12-26

continued the landlord
\ Il will stay here for two or three hours
but must then be off so as to reach M
destination in the morning. | am going
there to purchase lumber for the market.
"And you have considerable money witt
you no doubt ?" added the landlord limo
{ Gently.
''Yes considerable" replied the guest sip
ping at his wiue disinterestedly.
"Theu. if you'll take my advice sale
the landlord, you'll stay here till morn
ing"
4 "Why, queried tue stranger looking up
curiously."
Because" whispered the Landlord, look
ing around as if he was disclosing a great
secret and was afraid of being heard by
somebody else, every man who'has ppssec
over the road between this and Naustadt al
night for the last ten years has been robbed
or murdered under very singular circum
stances.
"What are the singular circumstances ??
asked the stranger, putting down his glass
empty, and preparing to fill again.
"Why, you see, the landlord went on,
while he approached his guests table and
took a seat, II have spoken with several
who have been robbed, and all could learn
from them is that they remember meeting
in the Ionesomest part of the wood some
thing that looked white and CHASTITY, and
frightened their horses SO that they either ran
away or threw their riders after that all
was confusion with them they felt q
choking sensation and smothering and
finally died, as they thought, but awoke in
an hour or 50 to find themselves lying by
the roadside robbed of everything"
"Indeed!', calculated the stranger, look
ing abstractedly at the rafters il the cell
ing, as though he was more intent upon
counting them than he was interested in
the landlords story.
The innkeeper looked at him in amaze
ment Such perfect GOODNESS he had not
witnessed in a long time.
'You will remain, them" suggested the
landlord, after waiting some time for his
gnest to speak.
''I?" cried the stranger, starting from his
fit of abstraction, as though he were not sure
that he was the person addressed. ooh,
most certainly not Pm going straight
ahead, ghost or no ghost, tonight"
Half an hour later the stranger aud a
guide, called Wilhelm, were out on the
road, going at pretty ronnd pace toward
Naustadt.
During flash of lightning the stranger
observed that the guide very uneasy about
something and was slackeniug his horses
pace, as though he intended to drop behind.
LEAD on" cried the stranger, "don't
be afraid"
81 am afraid cannot, replied the person
first addressed, continuing to hold back his
horse, until he was now at least length
behind his companion. My horse is COW
ardly aud becomes unmanageable III a
thunder storm. If you will go on through
think can make him follow close enough
to point out the road"
The stranger pulled up ms tanty. A
strange light cleaned in hls eyes while his
hand sought his breast pocket, from which
be drew something. The guide saw the
movement and stopped also.
'Guides should lead not follow" said tho
stranger, quietly, but with the firmness
which seemed to be exceedingly unpleasant
to the person addressed.
'But, faltered the guide 'ny horse
won't 60"
"Won't hep queried che stranger, with
meek simplicity in his tone.
The guide heard sharp click, and saw
something CLEAN in his companions hand.
| He no sooner reached his old position,
however than the stranger saw him give a
sharp turn to the right, and then disappear
as though he had vanished through the
thick foliage of the trees skirting the road
The stranger dashed up to the spot, and
saw that his guide had turned down the
narrow lane leading from the road into the
heart of the wood.
| He heard the clatter Of the horse as be
galloped eff Without waiting another in
slant, he touched his horse lightly with the
rein, gave him prick with the rowels, anc
off the noble animal started like the wind
in the wake of the flying guide.
The strangers horse being much superior
to the guides the race was short one, ant
terminated by the guide being nearly
thrown from bis saddle by heavy hapc
was laid upon the bride stopping him.
He turned upon his seat beheld the stran
gers face dark and frowning and tremblec
violently as he felt the smooth cold barre
of pistol against his forehead.
! "This cursed beast almost ran away will
me- cried the guide, composing himself a
well as he could under the circumstances
Eyes know said his companion dryly
Shut mark my words young man, If you
horse PLAYS such tricks again, he'll be tin
means of seriously iniuring his masters
health"
They both turned and entered back to tn
road. When they reached it again anc
turned the heads of their animals In tn
right direction, the stranger said to hi
guide in tone which must have convince'
his nearer as to his earnestness:
'Now, friend Willhelus hope we under
stand each other for the rest of the journey
You are to continue on ahead OF me, IN tn
right road without swerving 10 the right Q
the left. If see you doing anything gu;
picious, l will drive brace Of bullet
through you without another word Of motto
Now push CD"
The guide started on as directed, but
was evident from his movements and hi
muttering that he was alarmed at somt
thing else besides the action ofhis followe
In the meantime the thunder had increa
ed its violence, and flashes Of the ightnin
had become more binding.
For about mile the two horsemen roc
on in silence, TIE gnide keeping up dire
tons to the latter, while his follower watcl
ed his guide every moment as cat Won
a mouse
Suddenly the guide stopped and look,
behind. And he heard the click OF Il
e. strangers pistol and saw his uplifted arr
he ''Have, mercy, meinheer," he groane