The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1867-11-07
NUMBER 10

! They lived in Shawneetown, about tl,irsy +
five or forty miles southeast of Moore
prairie. received the funds just after ths .
! bank opened, but other business detained
me until after dinner. l then started for
| c., intending to go as far as the vii
/ lage of Mount Vernon that night.
! / had gone along ten or twelve miles, z
when l noticed a splendid team of horses s
attached to a light wagon, in which were
seated four men, evidently of the highs
strung order. They swept past me as if S
to show me how easily they could do It.
! They shortened in, and allowed me 10 s
come up with them, and asked me to i
''wet,'' or, in other words, diminish the
/ jug of old rye they had aboard /; but ex-
cused myself with the plea that l had s
! plenty on board. They asked me how
far l was going. l told tham as far as
/ Mount Vernon, if my horse didn't tire
out. They mentioned = pleasant tavern
ten or twelve miles ahead as a nice stops
| ping place, and drove on. I did not Ike
| the looks of those fellows, nor their ac~
tions. But | was bound to 60 ahead l
had brace of revolvers and a nice knife ;
my money was in my belt around my
| body, L drove slow, in hopes they would
| so on, and l should sec them no more. 1t
was nearly dark when / saw the tavern
! sign ahead. At the same time | saw !,
their wagon before the door, 1 would Z
have passed on, but my horse needed rest.
| ] hauled up, and woman came to the
door. She turned as pale as a sheet wher
! she saw me. She did not speak, but WI
a meaning look she put her finger on
! lips, and beckoned me to come in.
was the wife of my client When l
tered the party recognized me, and hail
me as an old travelling friend, and aske
me to take drink. 1 respectfully but
firmly declined
''But you'iI drink or fight - said the
noisiest cf The party.
"Jnst rs you please: drink [ shall
not = said purPosely showing the butt
of Colt that kicks seven times in rapid
succession. ,
The others in.crposed and very easily
cigar, which l should not have received
but glance at the woman induced me &c
accept it. She advanced and proffereG
me light, and in doing so slipped note
into my hand, which she must have writ
ten the moment before it was writer
with pencil. Never shall forget tn
words. They we're:
"Beware they arc members of tho
gang. They mean to rob and murder
you. Leave soon, and will manage tC
detain them
1 did not feel comfortable just then, bu
tried to look 50.
'Have you any room TO put my horse 9
l asked, turning TO the woman.
What! you are not going to stay her,
to- night? - asked one of the men; ''w,
are going on
81 think / shall stay" 1 replied,
''We'lI all stay, then, l guess, and
make night of it, said ono of the cut
throats.
s'You will have to put up your owrt
hoss here's lartern,'' said the woman.
''i am used TO that" | said. ''Gen-
tIemen, excuse mel will Join YOU in
drink when l come in.''
| s'Good on your head more whisky
: old gal," shouted they.
t / went ont and glanced at their wagon.
, 1t was an old fashioned one. and Inch
: pins secured the wheels. To take cut
/ my knife and pry one from the fore and.
hind wheels was but the work of a mo-
2 nlent, and threw them in the darkness
i az far as could. To unite my horse and
Y dash off was bat the work of an instant.
e The road lay down a steep hill, but nv
/. lantern lighted me somewhat | hac
II hardly got under good Roadway before
y heard yell from the party had so IA
d tremendously left. 1 put the whip {,
n my horse. Tho next moment they start
d cd. l threw my light away, and left N,
e horse TO pick his way A moment after
j ward heard crash-a horrid shrek.
f The wheels were off Then came tn,
e rush of horses, tearing along with IA,
IT wreck of the wagon, Finally they seenet
n to fetch up III the woods. One or tw,
I shrieks l heard as l swept on, leaving
s. them far behind For some time l hur
W ried my horse you'd better believe
Ie frid." 1t was a little after midnigh
); when got to Mount Vernon. The mex
re day heard that Hfuore's prairie team ha,
re run away, and two men of the four La,
le been so badly hurt that their lives wer
|. despaired of but 1 did not crv, Al
client got the money, but / didr't trave
W that road any more,