The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-03-05

! AOIO tudu q LObS Opeh "dSoIi, LliSu Will
passengers, all men, eight of US, not
counting the driver. Among the passen-
gers was cole ctor for Boston house,
who had met with such poor luck collect
ing that he had got completely strapped,
not having raised sufficient means to pay
his expenses since leaving Boston. On
the second night he told me frankly his
condition, and begged loan of $40 to
see him through to St. Paul. When we
just arrived at the night station, and af
ter examining my pocket book, and find
ing had but two or three dollars loose
money, found it would be necessary to
open package containing $4,000 sent
me by express to Prarie dc Chem, the
seals of which had never yet broken.
Not caring to make display of so
much money before crowd of strangers,
l invited my friend quietly to get lan>
tern, and come with me quietly into the
stable He Sid so and we proceeded to
the head of one of the stalls, and while he
held the lantern | succeeded in opening
the package. / had to turn over a good
many bills of large denomination before
l found a ten; but at length | found one,
and handing it to him, and extracting
another for myself, slowed the package
of bills, minus its wrapping, in money
belt which had strapped around me
next to my shirt. l had hardly finished
when heard rustling in the hay over
head, and looking quickly up toward the
loft, through the hay rack, thought l
saw pair of eyes flashing down through
the darkness, but was rot quite sure. L
listened for a moment, but everything was
still, SO we passed into the house.
My mind was disturbed felt uneasy
and oppressed. l could not eat my sup
per, nor could / enter as usual into the
rolicking jests, stories and games with
which my fellows made merry their even
ings, carried good Colt revolver
That day had emptied every chamber of
its cylinder at sundry rabbits which
sprung up along the route. Without de-
finitely feeling the necessity of SO doing,
1 fully reloaded and capped it. At the
hour fer retiring the landlord called the
hostler--a a powerfully built, heavy featured
man-to show me to my bed. We as
cended a ladder to the loft, and there, On
the floor, six double beds were made
simply straw ticks laid OH the floor, with
pillows, sheets and comforts upon them.
The hostler as igned me the bed nearest
the ladder, and retired, leaving me a bit
of tallOw candle about half an inch long.
/ took hasty survey of the premises.
Just across the hatchway, where the lad
der led to The room below, was a window
in The gable. 1t had muslin curtain
over it, but this speedily tore away. l
remarked that the ladder creaked fearfullv
as the hostler descended. Away across
the room, to the other gable end, the beds
were laid In rows-not a sleeper in them
as yet, Notwithstanding which the hostler
had assigned me the bed next to the lad
der. He had not left me to my choice,
but merely put my candle down by it and
said, eyer to sleep in there, sur
l made up my mind he meant to try to
rob me, and the thought was anything but
pleasant. After definitely settling in my
mind the best course to pursue, r, moved
my clothes, and unbuckling my belt, 1
raised the under sheet and laid il beneath
it and the pillow.
Perhaps the reader wonders why l
should have removed it from around my
body. First, because small, sharp knife
cuts it away while you sleep; and, sec
ondly, assure the reader that if he or
she Will try buckling large leathern belt
filled with money about their waists for a
nap, they will soon see good reasons for
taking it off Besides, felt pretty sure
! the man was a desperate, and was fear
ful he would first cut away the belt, if he
found it on me, and then stab me if
stirred, leap down tho ladder, break for
the woods with the money, and clean es-
cape before people could be made to COM
! prehend what was the matter. laid my
plans definitely and wisely, as you will
see.
did not fall asleep, you may be sure.
! All the horrible stories l had ever heard
related of robberies at country taverns ran
an incomprehensible race through my
memory One after another the guests
were shown up by the hostler, as the even
ing wore on, until finally all was silent
| below stairs.
i 1t was probably half-past eleven o'clock
when the last passenger was shown up to
bed, and for more than an hour lay toss
ing in wakeful anxiety. Finally the SOM
nolent influence of the dozen sleepers snor-
ing so heartily around me, and the imper-
alive demands of tired body, overcame
me, and dropped off into light, uneasy
slumber. awoke with start of appre-
hension once or twice, and felt for my mon
ey belt, but all was well, and becoming
more composed, slept sounder. Suddenly
was awakened with sensation as ifsome
one had slapped me quite heavily in the
face The moon had risen just high
enough to shine full into the gable window,
making the room quite light looked
around-all the beds and their occupants
were visible, and l knew by the steady,
sturdy snoring that all except myself were
soundIy sleeping. L passed my hand un~
der the pillow. The money belt was there
all right, and L laughed at my nervous
ness, and was about to compose myself TO