The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-01-31
HIRAM SOMER'S WILL.

MIA, and through which so many traders,
emigrants, and adventurers necessarily
pass in their route from the Eastern
States was at no very distant date the
scene Of many a perilous adventure, one
Of which it is my purpose to relate and
for the veracity of which can personally
vouch.
1t was at the close of an October day
! that pair Of well-mounted riders pull
ed up before one of the Mexican ranchos
that dot the country here and there. At
the door of the building, which was long
and low, sort of double cabin, the land
lord lounged carelessly against post
a forbidding- looking fellow enough /;
but one cannot pick his company on the
plains, and our travellers salutod frankly
and asked for a nights lodging.
" You can pay, senors, eh ?" was the
somewhat inhospitablc query Of the host
" Certainly; we are not beggars"
1t was the younger Of the travellers
who spokc-a tall trinity built man of
about six or eight and twenty, with a
blonde, ruddy complexion. clear gray
eye, crisp auburn hair, and long fair
mustache, that dropped over firm, we'll
shaped mouth-a face and figure demo-
ting strength, courage and high culture.
His companion was of shorter build,
broad shouldered and muscular, with dark
eyes, hair and beard-a man that would
pass in a crowd for blunt, wel-mean-
ing fellow, but one at whom close OBJ
server would look twice before turning
his back once
As the light-haired stranger made the
rather naughty reply we have quoted, the
dark one laid hand upon his arm, whis-
pered something in his ear, and succeed
ed in bringing smile to the eyes that
had begun to darken at the Mcxican's
insolence. Yielding to the others re-
monstrance he dismountod lightly from
his horse, and said, pleasantly, "You
need have no fears, my friend we pay
our way, even in advance, if required.
Give us and our horses a nights lodging,
and name your own price"
At this, the surly host frightened up !;
beckoned ragged urchin from the rear
of the house, and gave him an order in
bad spanish.
The boy led the wearied horses to di-
lapidated shed close at hand. Hither the
light-haired stranger followed, detached
pair Of well-flled carpet bags from his
horse, and tossing the boy a small silver
coin, walked leisurely back to the house
He seemed TO have forgotten his moment.
airy annoyance, and whipped the shrubs
carelessly with his riding-switch as he
walked, humming the end of an old tune
with an air of perfect ease and security.
Both the travellers were damp and
chilled, passing shower having given
them sharp sprinkling an hour or two
before and the fair one, expressing de-
sire to change his upper garments, was
shown into small sde-room formed by
the elbow of the building room COM
paratively detached from the rest of the
house being connected with it only by a
short, dark, and dirty passage. 1t was
meagerly furnished, containing little more
than bed and two ricketty articles of
furniture that might pass for chairs or
stools While he is removing his wet
clothing, we will take view of the two
men left together in the front part of the
cabin
The Mexican was the first to speak ;
he looked covertly after the retreating
stranger, then turning to his companion
said, coolly and expectanty, Wei,
! senor 2"
"What do you want" said the dark
stranger. 9 said nothing"
The Mexican eyed him a moment, then
shrugged his shoulders, and muttered sui
lenly, You looked something, senior"
The dark mans lips parted in smile,
disclosing his white and wolfsh teeth
" think | can trust you said he slowly,
after pause.
Yes, senor," replied the other, and
both men glanced sideways at the door,
You have a quiet little inn here" OBJ
served the stranger-"quiet and retired ;
no neighbor, eh 2"
The Mexican nodded assent to the first
observation, and shook his head negative
ly in answer to the second.
The other resumed: Texas is dan
gerous country for travellers, especially
the Francisco route; accidents happen
frequently ! suppose, and no one can tell
how. Is it not so senior p
The landlord again nodded vehement
ly, and his little eyes cleaned with antic-
ipation.
For instance" resumed the traveller,
"we are too far east for roaming Indians,
or grizzly bears but a man might readily
have quarrel with half dozen maraud-