The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1872-02-09
SELECT STORY.
.THE JROBBER's R0OsT--OR HANS
LAST VICTIM.
A Splendid Tale Of Murder, Robbery,
,, Blood and Death.

| 1t was sultry afternoon, that
crossed the Mississippi river, and
negligentIy travelled on my way
towards GreenVille. The cool
shade which covered the road, and
the majestic woodland scenery,
whiled away the time SO pleasantly,
that before was aware of it, the
| eun was down, and, darkness gently
dropping fits blackwell.
Hooked about me, and became
alarmed at the density of the forest.
The signing of the wind, the rust
ling of a bush, the hooting of an
owl, startled me. In the thick
shades of almost every tree, i'm
agined a wild beast ready to spring
| upon me, and behind the trees
monstrous trunks, expected some
hideous animal to dash furiously at
me. / carried my revolver ready
for any emergency, and loosened
my heavy knife IN its scabbard.
But little did / imagine that, hav-
ing passed the dangers of the woods,
those of a more fearful and awful
character awaited me.
The darkness had become intense,
and it was with the greatest diff
Guilty, 1 could pursue my course.
At length, however, light hove
in view, and never in my life did
hail its gentle lustre with greater
ljoy.
When 1 neared the spot, 1 found
dilapidated log house, two stories
high, with a rickety old porch in
front. A couple of gaunt, ferocious
hounds came rushing ut me, and
warned the inmates of my approach.
I scrutinizsd the premises as closely
as could in the darkness, and was
anything but satisfied with the re-
suit of my Investigations. But
when looked about me, and saw
the heavy gloom which hung upon
everything, and the prospect of be-
ing devoured by Wolyes,1 conclud-
the next stopping place, and If it
was too far, to remain. where /
was. t+f
The door opened, and a husky
voice said, "Who is there"
ga stranger" replied, and fol-
lowed up by asking, show far to the
next stopping place ?"
j could hear q low murmur of
voices, and then reply came, "ten
miles or more"
1 dismounted, and fastened my
horse to a post, and as l assembled
the old rickety stairs of the porch,
they creaked dismal dirge, and the
guant, lean hounds nipped savagely
at my heels.
The room which / entered pre-
presented such repulsive appear
ance, that started back with min
gled surprise and disgust. The
eyes of several rough, uncouth
looking individuals were turned
upon me, and / felt ia their glance
something more of the ferOcious-
ness of the wild beast, than the
gentleness of human beings.
"Take a seat, stranger z" said a
burly, thick-set man, as he handed
me q chair, which groaned piteous-
glance upon the group before me,
seemed to hesitate, which was in
stantly noticed, and the officiating
man, who seemed to be the land
lord, came towards me, and in a
as could be expected, said:
"Sorry we can't accommodate you
better, stranger; but make your
self at home, we'll do the best by
| you we kim"
| A significant glance passed among
the mon, as the host concluded his
hospitable invitation, which did not
escape my notice.
At length supper was served,
consisting of corn bread and bacon
and for this meagre fare, abundant
apologies were offered.
After listening short time to
their disgusting conversation, in
formed my host would like to re-
tire.
0Will you axeyour saddle-bags p
said he, with q bland smile, as he
extended his monstrous hand to take
"No, sir" 1 replied, while 6
heavy frown gathered on my brow
81 have d very safe place tC
keep Them" he rejoined, while hi
blood-shot eyes stabbed me to thu
heart.
mo doubt" said I, with q mean
ing nod, "but would prefer TAX
4 ing them with me-" rgFgrFg
/ This conclusion was received
rather coolly, and as I prepared Il
leave the room, one of the mel
espied the handle of my revolvel
protruding from beneath my coat
"Hello, strangeriT he exclaimed
in quick tone, '1et's see that 'erl
pistol, will your" So sudden haI
been the demand and in such, seem
ing innocent curiosity, that pu
my hand back to give IL to him
| But second thought decided me
and replied, that it was nc grea
, curiosity, and would show it t.
} him in the morning.
. BY this time, the men had gather
ed around me, and seeing thing
looked rather peculiar, / backet
mys If through door, followed b,
, the host. When the door was clos
: ed, / could hear loud murmurings
! and an oath or two uttered IN We
hement tones. vz
The landlord hurried me up
feeble pair of st3its, and q FEY
{ yards from the landing, pushe
open the door, and babe me enter.
: glanced around the apartment
aad showed, BY my action, tbs
HIVES dissatisfed witht its appeaI
!. ance.
2 ait is the best that I can do 70
l. you. stranger" said he ;ssand 20
needn't be afraid OF them fellow
I. down stairs, they won't hurt any
body.
!, al shall not be alarmed" n
q Piled, as he closed the door, and a
scended the steps. / was somewhl
annoyed ct the appearance of thing
and determined to place myself !
a the best possible position ofdefenc
Il examined my quarters closet
Z ana found the door had no faster
ing whatever, nor was there an.
i. thing convenient with which
& cosld Be secoredS Z sNscossza ~
Of Determined not to be baffied,