Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1869-07-31
tFor the Chronicle.l
A RIDE FOR LIFE.
BY SIMON.

'Dlu you ever IraVci from -
to Charlotte?"
"No Sir, this IS my first trip
through these parts"
"Well, I'll tell you it is nothing
now to what it was forty years ago,
when / was young man. Then
Ilawlessness was the order of the day.
Robbery and murder were common
occurrences. There was no protec-
ton from the courts-Regulators, or
Judge Lynch's Jury accused, found
guilty and executed. 1 had a tilt, or
rather they had one at me in the fall
of 1916"
~ would like for you to tell it to
me, Mr.. Chester"
$50 WILL" said he, las soon rs we
get our dinner and start again."
The above was told to me several
years ago, as l was travelling in q
kind of stage-coach from Charlotte
to Waverly. Our conversation was
interrupted by the coach stopping at
Williamsville for dinner, and change
of horses. My companion was one
of those jolly, fun loving spirits, who
at the age of seventy are as young as
the majority ut forty. The frosts Of
many winters had not chilled one Of
his social faculties, contact with the
world had not made him misanthrop-
ic; but upon the contrary, he was all
that an agreeable companion could
be, and though l had met him only
that morning, I even felt that had
known him all my life. After get
ting our dinner, the driver sounded
his horn for us to resume the coach.
We then made ourselves as comfort
able as possible under the circumstan-
ces, and were soon leaving the stage
station at our back.
Will you tell me of that adventure
of yours now, Mr.. Chester? I am
particularly anxious to hear it,"
"Well, if am a little dull you
must excuse me, as it happened many
years ago. AS l said, in 1915, had
some business i'm c. and Charlotte.
l was then living in Nashville. 1
determined to go to c. first and
come back by way Of Charlotte home.
I made the trip to c. easy enough,
and when 1 got there I put up at the
only hotel or tavern in the place
After seeing that my horse was well
taken care of, for was very proud of
that horse, went in to get my sup
per. In the dining room 1 met no
one except the host, who asked me Us
l took my seat where 1 was from.
replied, "from Nashvilfe.u
"Have you heard, stranger, of the
murder that was committed on the
road between here and Vernon this
evening ?" ..s
mo Sir, 1 have not. I have been
here but couple of hours, and as /
came over the road, presume it must
have been quite late this evening ~
eyes, a man has just come in and
told us of it.n
"Did you learn any of the partic-
ularsw 1 inquired.
"No, except that the murdered man
was found lying on the road side
dead and robbed, this side of the
creek, which you crossed, if you rec
ollect.n
Here our conversation was arrested
by the entrance of u middle aged
man accompanied by young lady
of some sixteen or seventeen sum-
mers. She seemed just to have eros
sed the threshold of adolescence and
to my eyes, was the most beautiful
creature 1 had ever seen. The gen.
tleman seemed just to be recovering
from long and severe spell of ill
ness, by the way he leaned on his
daughters arm.
"Be seated, Mr.. Wilson. Have this
seat, Miss Myra," suggested the host
rs he offered seats to his guests.
THAT is shocking case of murder
we have reported this evening, Mr..
Easley," said Mr.. Wilson.
"Yes Sir, but hope we will catch
the murderers. 1t is high time some
thing was done to stop this outrage
Gus lawlessness. No mans life is
safe rs things are now"
"Father, do you think it would be
prudent for us to start to Nashville
so soon as you suggest. Do you not
think we had better remain day or
too longer, until this excitement pas
ses over?"
eyes, Mr.. Wilson, Miss Myra is
right. You had better stay for a day
or two. twill be better and you will
be stronger. Besides, you may have
company" spoke Mr.. Easley.
~ intend going to Nashville on the
day after tomorrow, If / can get
through with my business" said to
Mr.. Wilson.
~ expect you had better wait for
this gentleman. Probably he may
be of some service to you, rs you are
not fully recovered from your Illness"
advised Mr.. Easley."
Certainly, If l can be of any SER
vice to you shall be very glad, be-
sides 1 like the idea of company very
much," i replied, glancing at Myra.
"rhank you for your kindness, but
l forgot to say to you that / am COM
PEELED TO go through Charlotte on
my return"
And l was equally negligent with
you, for my journey lies that way