Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1870-02-11
A VILLAGE R-ROOM.

In 1s-.I was travelling from IT,
haca to Buffalo, in New York State,
by stage, intending to reach my
home in season to partake of the
annual Thanksgiving dinner with
fond and loving friends, at the old
homestead. It was a bitter cold
morning when we set out. and the
roads frozen hard, there having been
considerable mud only few days
before.
The first night VIC put up at Dan
vile, and on the following morning
when I awoke,I found that the earth
was not only covered with snow,but
that the snow was falling fast. AT
ter an early breakfast we set out
again on wheels, but at the end Of
eight miles we were forced to take
runners, the snow clogged up so
that the wheels would not run. When
night came we found ourselves obi
ged to stop at small village only
twenty miles from where we set out
ii the morning.
A good supper was provided at
the inn, and the place had the ap-
pearance of comfort. We had just
sat down to supper when the wind
began to blow furiously and we
could see by the dim light without
that the snow was being whirled and
driven about in a furious manner
There was fire in the small sitting
rooms ,and thither we pasaengers.slx
of us, adjourned. We sat there and
conversed until nine o'clock; and
then I went out into the bar room to
smoke a cigar previous to retir-
ing.
In the bar-room, I found bright
wood fire burning, and some dozen
people were sitting there, smoking
and drinking (This was long before
the introduction of Maine laws. =
Several of the company judged to
be teamsters rough, hardy, good
natured set, who were enjoying
themselves hugely over a big mug
of flip! Then there we're seve, al
whom l found to be villagers -
men who lived near the inn-a set
of village politicians and newsmon-
gers, who made the bar room
their place of social evening meet
: ing.
: I had lighted nay cigar, and had
: taken a seat near the fire, when l no
ticed a buffalo skin ON the end of
the settee opposite to where l sat,
and I was confident there was hu-
: man being beneath it. l supposed
it might be stable hand who had
been at work hard, or was expected
to be up most of the night, and was
now getting little sleep. / was
looking at the buffalo robe, and thus
meditating, when / heard low,
death like groan come up from be-
meath it, and in few moments more
: the robe was thrown upon the floor,
and the man who had reposed be-
meath cane down upon the top oft,
and there he lay for some moments
2 like dead man. had just started
f up when four villagers hastened to
his assistance. They lifted him to
{ his feet, and after considerable eff
fort he managed to stand up.
, My God! what a thrill struck to
2 my heart when 1 saw that face. II
was one of noble features; brow
high and amply developed, ovel
which clustered mass of dark, CLOS
sy ringlets; the face beautifully pro
portioned, ana each separate feature
E most exquisitely chiseled. But
f what an expression rested there
I now!
The great dark eyes had vacant
5 idiotic stare the face was pale as
death, and the lips looked dry and
! parched, and much discolored. His
f clothes were tom and soilcd, and
, one Of his lands bloody. He was
q surely not more than five and thirty
and his appearance would at once
: indie ate man Of more than com
| mon abilities. But the demon had
t him and had made him something
: now below the brute.
! sHow dye feel now, George ?
j: asked one of the men who had gone
:. to his assistance. =-.
But he only groaned reply, and
he was soon pursuaded to lie dawr
again, being told that he would soor
feel better. AS soon as he was or
the settee once more, and the buffa
10 robe over him, the men returned
to their seats.
"Who is that chap p asked one O
the teamsters, looking toward. the
e villagers who had been assisting the
t unfortunate man.
''That is Mr. George Lockland,' .
: returned stout, honest looking
e man.
, ''Does he belong here %
e Eyes. Didn't ye never hear O.
;. him 20
: The teamster replied that he ha6
! not.
< "Well," resumed the fat man, its
too bad, declare tits. LockelanC
: might be one Of the first men in towr
: if he'd mind to; but you see he'll
drink; and the worst of 1.-THE make:
fool of himself He can't touch il
= without doing just as he's been do
e ing now. He started here as law
: yer, and a smart one he is too. Why
he can argue old Upron righttout ot
his boots. But ye see he's lost #shis
: best Gus toners now. They dareh'1
trust him with business, cause he
amt sure of ever doing it. He's got
one of the beautifulest little wives
!, you ever saw; and one of the hand
soonest children.