The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-07-26
ing to go as far rs tho village Of Mt. Yer
non that night. |.... y. -..'i

had gone along twelve miles. when
noticed splendid team Of double horses
attached to q light wagon, in which wore
seated four mon. evidently Of the high
strung order.-They swept past mo as u. Il
show how eaisily they could do L.. The,
shortened 10 and allowed me 10 como uT
with them. and hailing mo asked mo te
''wet, "or in other words diminish, the. con
tents OF Jug Of old rye they had aboard
but I excused myself with the plea that
had plenty on board. They asked me how
far I was going. I told them as far as Mt
Vernon, n my horse didn't ure out. The,
mentioned pleasant tavern ten or twelve
miles ahead as nice stopping place, ant
then drove on. - .,...l-. -
l did not like the looks OF those fellow.
nor their actions. But ! was bound 10 gc
ahead. had q brsco Of revolvers and q
nice knife my money was not In my Va
lisc or my sulky, but In belt around my
body. ldrove slow In hopes they wonld
70 on, and should SEQ them no moro
Il was nearly dark when saw tavern sigr
ahead. At the same time saw their wa.
gon stood At tho door. l hauled up and q
woman came at the door. She turned a,
pale as sheet when she saw me-she did
not speak, but with meaning look she
put her finger on her lips aud beckoned Inc
in she was the vile Of my late client.
When entered, tho party recogized me
and hailed me as an old travelling friend,
and asked me to drink. respectfully bu
firmly declined to do 30, l.
aBy Cd, you shall drink or fight |!
said the noisest ofthe parry. :. =.
aJust as you please, drink ] shall not,
said !, purposely showing the butt ofa col
which kicks six times in rapid succession.
The party interposed, and very easily
uuelIed the assnilant. Ono offered mo Z
cigar which ! reluctantly refused, but q
glance from the woman induced me to &C.
cent. She advanced and proffered me O
light, and in doing 50 slipped note into
my hand, which she must hnYe written
with pencil the moment before. Never
shall forget the wor,is-they wore
"Bewaro, they arc members Of the gang
They mean to rob and murder you Leayt
soon; win detain them" u,a,y :..
Idid not feel comfortable just then, bu
tried to do 30. -,.......r.y b ilr. il. =.
!, ..Have you room TO put up my horse 7
I asked, turning to the woman. ....
.What,-are you not going on y nishR'
nskct one Of the men ;..,twe arn." ...,..
.No," said !, al shall stay here tonight
"WeT all stay then, guess, and make a
night of Il !" said another OF the cut.
'sYou1i havs to put up your own horse
here's a lantern" said the woman.
q" 81 am used to that" said. "Gentlemcn,
excuse me a minute I'll join you IN q
drink when come in" .''' ...t
'"Good on your head More whiskcy, old
GAL" shouted they.
I went out glanced at their wagon, It was
old fashioned. and "linch pins" secured
the wheels. To take out my knife and
pry ono from the fore and hind wheels was
but the work OF a moment, and threw
them rs far of In the darkness as could
To unite my horse and dash of was the
work of an instant, The road lay down q
steep hill, but my lantern lighted me some
what. II. .,, ID,
/ had hardly got under full hcadway.
when heard yell from the party ] had
so ,ncercmoniusly left. lput the whip to
Tho next moment with shout they start.
ed. I threw my light away, and left my
horse to pick his way. ,.,.
A moment latter, ] heard crash-a hor'
rible sbriek. The wheels were oil. Then
came tho rush Of horses tearing fcariully
along with the wreck Of the wagon. Fl
naliy they seemed to fetch up In tho wood.
One or two shrieks I heard as I swept on
leaving them far behind. For some time ]
hurried my horsc-yaud better believe
"ridv-lt was little after midnight when
I got to Mt. Vernon. ,.-......,.l..,
The. next day I heard thata Moons
prairie team had run AWAY, and to that two
men out Of four had been SO badly hu!
that their lives were despaired OF but
didn't cry. My clients got their money
but didn't travel that road any more. b. /