The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1867-10-12
Misrellameons.
4 PINCH or SNUFF.
BY a CANADIAN srrri.rR.


On dark night in the month Of October. | Icf,
my place Of business in the city OF Montreal and
started TO walk home. Ny house was aLon, three
miles away, and stood alone in "A very dcsolaie
spot, the only approach TO which was by bleak
aud lonely road. Habit however, had so affected
me that was never troubled in the sghics degree
rither by fear or suspicion. generally uayerscd
me lonely road without thinking OF the length Of
the way or the gloom Of the scenery.
On the night TO which allude, carried with
the n bundle containing considerable sum Of
money. II was this perhaps, that made ule some
what nervous aud cautious. For the first time in
my life began TO be troubled with fears Of rob-
berry.
though, Of the dangers OF the way. Of the
winding road OF the rocks that fav Ored conceal
inent Of the thick shade Of trees tina, invited
ambush: Every story Of robbery that had ever
heard OF now recurred TO me, until at length the
idea took complete possession Of the / could
think upon nothing else. In vain tried TO cxpcl
these thoughts from my mind could no more
ron,ro! 'hrm than the winds OF heaven so I now
walked ou, looking SuspiciOusly ~ every rock,
and Transforming every hush into lurking fo..,.
pad. " u had been possible ! wuud have
turned back, but this Was not thought Of for
one moment. Ny family aud friends were all nj
home aud as was always punciual any delay
now would have filled them with iinmcasur,blr
anxiety. Ny only course lay onward, and onward,
Wv sHaA Must 20. 10 onward ! went, bit
tsry lainenling my folly In not taking "a carriage
from the town which would have taken me 10
my home so quickly anl so easily aud spared the
oil my present anxiety.
Full Of these Thoughts, arrived at a solitary
house which stood about halfway ON my Journey.
glafc Of light sirea,ncd from .ihe windows
across the road, Illuminating the scene. Just as
approached u, dark figure dashed forth from
behind the house through the light aud into the
gloom OF the load, up whichil walked with great
rapidiiy. ] was startled at its Suddcnness. l
caught glimpse OF the mans face as he stared
q, mr, hut could not distinguish his features
only saw that he was mulatio hut no more
His ~holr act showed that he had been waiting
Tor me-. Hut why should he wait for me at this
pqEiicular placcY Why iari toward and walk
ahead oI me This was what troubled me.
All this time ! was walking on I tried 10
catch up with the man and pass him--lt was
impossible. guickene'l my parr Till IL become
almost run hut the more inrrascdm my speed,
80 did the man Increase his The result Of this
was 10 confirm my worst suspicious, and To nyoye
most clearly that he had sinie,er designs upon
me.
~ length ! came TO the foot oT u long hill
Up this the man went with undated velocity
but here paused and Stacked my speed Al the
top OF the bill was the loneliest place on the
whole road. Not house was near II, except the
ruins OF an old blockhousc, which was fast going
10 decay Hthis man intends 10 attack me, here,
thought, would he the place. So the only thing
for me 10 do was 10 prepare myself for the worst.
was absolnicly unarmed not even ~ much
as penknlfe about RE. sought TO find stick,
but could see nothing Of the kind was forced
10 content myself with u large, sharp stone which
lay In the road. Then, taking on my sIioes,
deposited my prcrions burden Ia each, in equal
divisions. Al this consumed sonIe inlc aud aflef
put my thoss on again, ] was forced 10 walk
slowly. The result was that rcgained my fresh.
mess, and drew near the summit Of the hill as
vigorous as when lett the city My lear, which
ielt ~ first had given place TO anger. ! was
enraged at myss.f, and furious nj the mAn who
thus venlurcd 10 assail an innocent traveller.
Full Of these feelings gained the top Of the hill.
stood iu the middle Of the road Immediately BE-.
fore me. walked straight onward, and rame
close up 10 him.
stop = cried he
who are you ? said l. what do you waniy
y want that money
What money 2
That money you re taking home.
Away, you fool let me pass, or IN blow
you. brains o., cried, putting my hand in
Pooh = said the fellow, with a sn,cr You've
got nothing. Out with your none, now, or IN
blow your brains out And he leveled a pistol
full at my face.
Quick he cried, with deep oath. 4 haven't
time 10 talk Quick, or you're a dead man !,
We'll, walt minute, cant you said !,
psevishly.
= SUPPOSE mus, give you Wha, have. I, is
not much
NO humbug = reared the fellow, with another
oath.
. wan, that package ofmOney you're taking
home. Don't try 10 humhug me with any Of
your beggarly pocket.books
All this time the pistol had been levelled NJ my
bead, aud had been collecting my thoughts.
was calm ant cool.
You want the package, do you p said I,
moving sllghtly 10 one sid,
Yes said be. III have 10 speak again u will
be through this pistol
Take u, then 7 ! cried. Aud I hurled the
sharpe stone with all NY strength full agans, bis
head.
The iDsn uttered shrek the pistol fell from
bis hand aud exploded ON the ground The next
moment be sprnng upon mc. lie was n strong
and vigorous man-a giant In fact, In comImri.
son with me. Hut was ncwed with the obsiI-
nate courage Of despair iifc, friends, home--all
were forgotten. ] would have died u hundred
deaths rather than yielded
Your money 7 he SCREAMED, Ia horse voice
Never Z I cried.
lie wound his arms around tne. We wrcslled
ior moment and then fell heavily, he upper
most.
But hIs right hand was I0werless. thanks 10
the blow which had given u, and be could only
nee his len The struggle was terrible. Again
aud again dashed the stone against his head,
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