The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1871-03-01

n ,ssfF 2 S1TII17 Ut rTEg' :. : III = :
l. You have a quiet little inn m here, here
observed the stranger --'''tquiet and re
tired; no neis h5or, eh?''',, - -,
| The Mexican nodded assent to tn
first observation, and sheok his heae
| ne gitively in answer to the second.
| The other resumed "Texas is ,
dangerous country for travellers, es-
pecially the San Francisco route; &c
cidents happen Frequently, / suppose
and one one C can't r3s tell how: Is it not So
j. The landlord again nodded vehe
menty and his little eyes CLEANED with
ante. patton. 80 e rs t5BJL
! 'Fur instance" resumed the travel
er, eve are too far cast for roaming
Indians, or grizzly bears but.a mar
might readily have:a quarrel with hal
a dozen marauding Mexicans, and be
lett with knife in his ribs, eh "ass:'
The landlord looked dubious at this
and limited thar hall a dozen was a
! Elrge numt.e-. .N-ls Y: ssSsiia s-.ZF ~
sDo not alarm yourself my friend, !,
! said tine traveller with another woltish
smile ;'t'one Mexican will serve my
| turn. Isspeak o. what mig hit be-
Such an incideat might happen in 8
! story, IN ght it not r. '- - ! -f.,#.
The landlord thought such an acci
dent might easily occur to traveller,
and would sound weIl--very well-ir
q story. zt.s l--.a4---..s ,. sl .-
|, Goods" continued the other p
I."you- are man of intelligence, and
am about to make sou an offer. :
Silver is none too plenty on the plains,
suspect; how wohI1 You like to
earn fifty dollars-solid Silver coin? p
The offer appeared to dazzle the
Mexican. His mouth gaped eagerly
and he cIasped his hands in speeches
suspense. 'l. .'t .. 70 E11E-
"All that I shall require you to do
in return Tor this sum-" said the other,
smiling wolfishly as before, '"is to for
get whatever happens here tonight. :
Mind, | do not affirm positively that
anything will happen; but unforeseen
| circu instances should ocaur-if the
| gentleman, my companion, should
meet with an accident-yeu are to re-
lmemb ber nothing. From first to last
all is to be as if it hadhever occurred.
You agree ?'' .a-- e-'1 fo 97.: .--
s:My memory has been n bad one
from child" replied the landlord;
lit is in our family, L think. My
father had a bad memory-a very bad
memory, senior % | am his son in all
things. The silver is mineW - ~
!, "Not yet, my friend, ,"s lid the trav-
elcr,a tranquility. eff the senior, my
friend. sheukl lose his life in an un-
happy quarrel, he'niust have lodgings
for gond, and all'at your expense =
You can handle a spadls 1 hope :''r
J. Theworthy host smiled assent. He
had been edacated to dig. His father
before him was digger. The prairie
soil was soft and free to all who choose
to occupy. No lease required, no
questions asked Arf; --H~ Eet@ -t-
at is well,' said tho dark bearded
in tone of satisfaction. "My friend
shall have lite interest in the soil.--
We are agreed Now let us have OH
.supper!' And while it was preparing
the pair OF worthies were rejoined by
the unsuspeeting object of their treach-
cry. ltzl - cEE 40 yi.u f-z ,H,: -.
Half an hour later the travellers
were seated at a rude table, disuuss-
ing The merits OF supper, the host hav
ing lett the room, IN obedience to a
glance trom his $ perior: slfhe two
iIconversed freely OF tnei: affairs, and
y listener might have, gathered that
the light stranger was. Alr. Guy Som
ers, and that he had an important
hiissIon9in in Antonio namely, the Rc--
cession TO u handSoih fortune, tae leg
acy aot a long absent brother, who
had emigrated from lhe States Years
before, and, dying OF II vlruient fever,
had lett uis worldly all to. his only hy-
Ing relative, his brother Guy; and
that the others name was hIckson,
avowedly a trader. and q citizen OF
Sacramento- The two had scraped an
acquaintance on tho plains, anu Hick-
son. had improved ii to such advantage
that they nad agreed to finish the JOUR
sney together. .-,--tt. ~ / a,.. -
An hour passed in canvassiAg the
events OF the morrow; and fatgued
with their Iong rlde, the travellers re-
tired. Hlckson, was accommodated
with an extemporized bed in one OF
the rooms, Somers sleeping in the
room we haze alreadX mentioned
The. high seasoned Mexican viands
having parched his palate Soners
complained of thirst. and. asked for
water. The host was sorry, but the
cabin continued nune he had used
the last 10 cook, the travellers supper,
AMI the spring that supplied then, WIS
a mile distant, Yet, stay there was
soma coffee left rom the meal. SO
the coffee was brought, the cup hasti-
ly drained, ahd Semers turned into
his room, With the remark, hat a
viilainous favor that cup had. Pah.!
these Mexican abominatlons y - =,
= The plot arranged by the Two scoun-
drels was simple asit was .derilish =
The drqgfadmiaistered By The Mexi
eau having taken effect, Hickson was
to possess himself Of Somer's papers
and push ON, for San Antonio; ar
rived at. witch place he could with
their aid easily establish his supposed
identity, Somers being an entire sran 7
ger to the authorities. Once. in pos
session of the estate, he mea It to con-
vert it into ready funds, and start with
his. plumber for parts unknown. he
Mexican left in charge Of the drugged
man waste see that his victim never
left the house alive -. = -.....---.. !
Guy Somers undressed and laid
down. a few moments snthced to mako
him conscious of q deadly lannor and