Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1872-02-16

windows, and could see tracks of only two
men on the ground; but just as we were
comm out of the house, Thought / heard
the patter of horses hoofs dashing of up
| the dark muddy road at fearful speed,
Its strange. mighty strange. gentle
men" and Burwell shuddered while he
wiped the great drops Of perspiration from
his brow. 'fThis all created great stir
lin the county; the sheriff. magistrates,
,neighbors, and citizens gathered in for
miles around; all the roads were secured,
woods hunted, creeks and rivers dragged,
messengers sent to sheriffs of other coun-
ties round, but all to no purpose. Twen-
|ty years are gone and it's all mystery
still. That room is called by everybody
that knows anything about this dark deed,
the Devils room No one will stay in
it that can help it, and if Mr.. Irving stays
thar tonight, he will be the FIRST man that
has slept thar for more than five year"
Burwell had finished his story. and the
lmomentary silence that now ensued was
oppressive. You could almost hear your
nearest neighbor's heart beat; and when
from intense excitement he gave his red
cheeks puff. put down his pipe, and ex-
pressed his -burdened feelings by ex-
claiming. whist! by shot!" although
he looked ludicrous enough, no one felt
inclined to laugh. The silence was bro
ken by Mr. Scruggs. who, having list
eued with earnest attention to the story,
exclaimed: Gentlemen, that is every
word true! Bins was the little Dutch
man, and 1.-THE slab-sided man We wit
messed the sad, strange mystery; and in
all my long years wanderings in this and
other lands, that dark picture has never
been effaced; aud the strangest thing to
me is that we should happen here as fell
low-trayellers on the same night. just
twenty years after" sl
Bins jumped up from his seat. and ap-
preaching Scruggs, stammered: Z
II watch you all-all day; when you
speak jump. and dinks where-dinks
where-I hears you pefore; now I-now
I knows. How you yas?"
Burwell Crowder seemed now to COM
prehend the situation, and joined most
heartily in the greetings; after which the
whole party began to discuss each point
in the strange affair. no one seeming to
realize that the night was fast waning,
and that morning would dawn too soon
for the late watchers.
'By the way, Mr.. Crowder," said
Scruggs. just as there was lull in the
conversation, "twhat did you ever do with
the empty trunk belonging to the unfor-
tunate young man, and the letter we found
on the chamber floor that nightF
"Why, sir, kept copy of that letter
in case it might get lost in goiu' to Savan-
nah; and sent the original, with the trunk,
down to Norfolk to be shipped to Rosky
Sparks, or some sich name, first chance. y
Here Burwell drew from an inside
breast-pocket large leathern pocket
book, and from within its ample folds care
fully took folded letter-sheet, saying,
Here's true copy. gentlemen, and the
only clue that was left behind to tell us
who the young mans friends were, and
whar to write to 'em. Will some Of you
that has younger eyes than mine, read il
out %
Ronald, who was sitting nearest to the
light, took the letter, and, spreading il
out on the little table, read to his eager
listeners its contents =
SAVANNAH, Ga, Oct. 3, 1924.
"Mu Dear Old Friend Il am called to par
with my only son, Hampden, who leaves mi
to-day e., route for New York, where he will
embark on the first packet sailing from thenc
for Liverpool. You can well understand how
fathers heart yearns over frst-born sol
when he leaves home for the first time, to un
dertake somewhat perilous voyage, and t
transact as man important business. Whil
Hampden will make this tour contribute to tn
Icompletion of his education, and will thorough
ly enjoy the delights of travel, he is also com
missioned by me to attend to business of grea
Importance, the nature of which he can bes
explain when he arrives. / commend him t.
you, my dear friend, with confidence, and re
main, Sincerely yours,
"RosCoE SPARES.
''To Mr.. HARv1E GwYNN,
buckingham Court Road, London, Eng"
HOW THEY HAD HIM.