The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-12-28
t4aiSrfllanp.
a pIn,.1 OF SNUFF.

INV place of business ina Western city, and start
ed to walk home Ny house was about thre'
miles away and stood in a desolate spot, the onl,
approach to which was by a bleak and lonely
road, Habit however. had 80 affected me tina
was never troubled in the slightest degree eth
err by fear or suspicion, I generally traversef
the lonely road without thinking of the length
of the way or the gloom OF the scenery.
On the night to which / allude, carried with
m. bundle containing considerable sum OF
money. 1t was this perhaps, that made me some.
what nervous and cautious. For the first time
in nv life l began TO be troubled with fears OF
robbery thought of the dangers Of the way
of the winding road; of the rocks that favored
concealment; of the thick shade of tress that in
vited ambush. Every story Of robbery that 1 had
ever heard of now required to me, until the idea
took POSSESSION of me. 1 could think upon moth
ing else. In vain I tried to expel these thoughts
from nv mind: could no more control them
than the winds of heaven so now walked on,
looking suspicously. at every rock, and trans
forming every bush into lurking footpad.L IT
il had been possible, I would have turned back,
but this was not to be thought of for one mo-
ment. Ny family and friends were all at home
and as | was always punctual, any delay now
would have filled them with immeasurabls anxi-
ETY.. My only course lay onward, and onward
felt thar must 60 SO onward / went, bitterly
thu town, which would have taken me to my
home so quickly and so easily, and spared me all
my present anxiety.
Fall of these thoughts | arrived at a solitary
house which stood about half way on my journey.
A glare Of light stleamed from the windows
across the road. Illuminating the scene. Just as
7 approached it, dark figure dashed forth from
behind the house through the light and into the
gloon Of the road, up which it walked with
great lapidity. | was startled by its suddenness:
[ caught glimpse of the mans face as he stared
at me, but could not distinguish his features, 4
only saw that he was a mulatto, but no more.-77
HIS whole act showed that he had been waiting
for me But why should he be waiting for me
at this particular place? Why dart forward and
walk ahead of me ? This was what troubled me-
All this time was walking on. tried to-
catch up with the man and pass him. 1t was
impossible. Iquickened my pace till it became
almost a run; but the more [ increased my
speed, did the man increase his. The result
of this was to cohrm my worst suspicious, and to
prove most clearly that he had .isnsiter designs
upon me. .gs-tasssoi .,l.s7,frt - 4
AT length he came to the foot of long Hill.
Up this the man went with undated velocity,
but here paused and slackened my speed. At
the top of the hill was the loneliest place on the
whole road Not house was near it, except the
ruins of an old bockhouse, which was fast going
to decay. If this man intended to attack me-
here, thought, would be the place. So the only
thing Tor me to do was to prepare masef for the
worst. olt .er,iiS ea.s e3asE =.
/ was absolutely unarrned not even SO much
as penknife about me- I sought to find a
stick but could find nothing of the kind. / was
forced TO content myself with large, sharp stone
which lay in the road. Then, taking off my
shoes deposited my precious burden in each,
in aco1 divisions All fhis consu,nod e0ura
time; and after put my shoes on again, I was
forced to walk slowly. The result was thatI re-
gained my freshness and drew near the summit
of the hin as vigorous as when left the city,
My fear, which felt at first, had given place TO
anger. l was enraged at myself, and furious St
abe man who thus ventured to assail an innocent
traveller.
Full of these feelings, gained the top of the
hill. 1 was not mistaken The mulstto stood
in the middle of the road immediately before
me. walked straight onward, and came lnloss
to him.
"Stop" cried he.
"Who are you ?" said I. "Whatdo you want ?
81 want that money"
What money 7" l4fEA rFBAY "a
"That money you're taking home" f II
"Away, you fool Let me pass, or I'll blow
your brains out" l cried, putting my hand in
the breast pocket of my coat.
"Pooh " said the fellow, with sheer. You've
got nothing, Out with your money now, or I'll
blow your Drains out" And he leveled pistol
full at my face.
gave an involuntary start.
"Quickw he cried, with deep oath. II
hav'nt time to talk! Quick, or you're dead i
man." 3 ~ 49, lsgsT a 81
"Well, wait minute, can't you ?" said l, pee-
yishly. "1suppose must give you what have.
It is not much.'
"No humbugw roared the fellow with an
other oath. " want that package of money
that you're taking home. Don't try to humbug
me with your bsggarly pocket books"
All this time the pistol had been levelsd ct my
head, and / had been collecting my thoughts. u
was calm and cool. - tsR
"You want the package, do you ?" said l.
moving slightly to one side.
YES" said he. "If have to speak again, il
will he. through this pistol"
take it then!" cried. And hurled the
sharp stone with all my strength full against
his hand
The man uttered q shrek; the pistol fell from
his hand and exploded on the ground The next
moment he sprang upon me. tHeNwas strong
and vigorous man-a giant in fact, in oompar-
ison with me- But was nerved with the obsti.
nate courage of despair. Life, friends, home
Al, We" forgotten. would have died han
drea deaths rather than yielded. "Your money!"
he screamed, in hoarse voice. -.
"Neyer" ! cried. a = SCI w.
lie woundhis arms around me- We wrestled
for moment and then fell heavily, he upper.
most But his RICH. hand was powerless,
thanks to the blow, which had given it, and
he cenld only use, his left. The struggle wae
terrible. Again and again, dashed the stone
aganst his head, but at last the wretch caught
it, and in the struggle it dropped away out Of
the reach Of boil { us Then he fastened his
fngers on my throat. I lay completely ut his
mercy. weak and utterly exhausted from the