Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-05-22

An Unwelcome Passenger.

A cold winters night found a stage load
of ue gathering about the warm fire OF a
tavern bar-rOoln in New England village.
Shortly after we arrived pedlar drove up
and ordered that his horse should he stabbed
for the night. After we had eaten supper
we repaired to the bar-roOm and as soon as
the ice was broken the conversation flowed
freely. Several ancc Totes had been relat-
ed and finally the pedlar Was asked to give
US story, as many Of his profession were
generally full Of adventurous ancc
iotes. He was short thicksct man, some
where about forty years of age, and gave
evidence Of great physical strcngth. He
gave his name as Lcmucl Vinev. and his
home was Dover. New Hampshire.
Well, gentlemen he commenced. knock
ing the ashes from his pipe. and putting il
in his pocket. snpposc | tell you the las,
thing vi any consequence that fappenncd
You see am right now from the far West
and ON my way home for winter quarters
It was about two months ago one pleasant
evening that 1 pulled up Mt the door of q
small inn in a small village in Hancocl
county Maine. l said twas pleasant
I meant twas warm. hut it was cloudy ant
likely to be very dark. l went in and
called for supper and had my horse taken
care Of. and after l han eaten eat dowr
in The bar. 1t began to rain about eight o
clock and for a while it poured down good
and it was awful darx out doors.
Now l wanted to be il Jackson early
next morning. for l expected a load oi
goods for me which meant to dispose o.
on nv wav home. Tho moon would rise
ahout midnight. and thought could gel
thr"ugh the mud after that. So l asked
the landlord ii he would see that my hors'
was fed about midnight. as ! wished 10 b'
off about two. He expressed some surpris.
at this and asked why did not stay fo'
breakfast. told hun had sold my last
load about all out, aud that new lot o
goods was waiting for me Mt Jackson, and
| wanted to he there before the express
left in the morning. There were . nuMbeI
Of people standing around while l tod this
but took little notice Of them, one man
only arreeting my attention. l had in my
possession a small package Of placard,
which was to dcliverto the sheriff At Jack
son. and they were notices Tor the detection
Of notorious rolbcr named Dick Hard
head. These hills gave description o
his person, and the man before me answer
cd very well tn it. In fact, it was perfect
lie was tall we'll formed man. ratll ~
slight in frame. and had the appearance ol
a gentleman save that his face bore those
hard, cruel, marks which an observin . man
cannot mistake for anything but the indcz
to villainous disposition.
When went up to my chamber. askek
the landlord who that man was. describing
tn. suspicious individual said he did
not know. He had come there that after
noon. and intended to leave some time
during the next day. The host asked me
why / wished to know. and simply told
him that the mans cOuntenance seemed
familiar and merely wished to know it
was ever acquainted with him. resolved
not to let the landlord into the secret, but
to hurry on to Jackson, and there 10 givt
the information to the sheriff. and perhaps
he might reach the inn before the villai'
left; As had no doubt with regard to his
identity.
Ihad au alarm watch, AMI having set i
to give the alarm at ono O clock. l went Il
sleep. wae aroused at the proper time
and Immediately rose aud Creased myself
When reached the yard found the cloud
all passed away. The hostler was easil!!
aroused. and by two o. clock was ON thu
road. The mud was deep, and my hors'
conld not travel very fast yet it struck mi
that the beast made more work than ther'
was any need Of, for the cart was ncarl!
empty, my whole stock consisting Of abou
dozen tin pans and lot Of loose rags
However on we went. and in the cours
Of half an hour was clear Of the village
and short distance ahead lay large trac
of forest. The road lay directly through
this wood, and as near as can rcmcmbe
the distance was not far from twelve miles
Yet the moon WAS in the east. and as thi
road ran nearly west | should have nearl.
light enough. had entered this wood AM
gone perhaps half mile, when my wagol
wheels settled with bump and jerk int
deep hole. l uttered an exclamation O
astonishmcnt but that was not all.
heard one from another.
Where could 1t be looked quickl
around. but could see nothing. and yet
knew that the sound had heard was yer.
close to me. As the hind wheels came uI
felt something roll or tumble, from on'
side to tie other of my wagon. aud l coul'
also feel the jar occasioued by the move
mcut. 1t was simplya man in my cart
I knew this on the Instant. You may hav'