The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1872-03-01
BY JAMES PARTON.

On cold evening in February,
two young lawyers were playing
backgammon in a cabin of the vii
lage of Wakefield, Washington coun-
ty, Alabama. The b ,ur of ten had
arri ed, and they were still absorbed
in the game, when the distant tramp
of horses arrested their attention
Two travellers rode up to the door,
one of whom, without dismounting,
inquired for the tavern. It was
pointed out to him. He then asked
the road to Colonel Hinson's, a
noted resident of the vicinity. One
of the lawyers, Perkins by name, re
piled that the house was seven miles
distant, the road exceedingly diff
cult to find, and there was danger
Gus creek to be crossed.
While he vas explaining the road,
the light of the pinewood fire flashed
occasionally upon the countenance
of the traveller, who had asked the
questions. Perkins gazed upon the
face as though it fascinated him.
The eyes of the stranger sparkled
like diamonds, as he sat, composed
and erect, upon a superb horse, bet
ter comparisoned than usual in the
wilderness. His dress was the rude
homespun of the country, but the
quick eye of Perkins observed that
his boots were far too elegantly
shaped, and of materials much too
fine, to accord with the coarse, i'll
cut, pantaloons from which they
protruded.
The travellers rode on. Perkins
suspicious were aroused. The
striking features of the man with
whom he had conversed, the incon
gruity of his dress, his superior air,
the lateness of the hour for stran-
gers to be abroad in a region so wild
and unknown, all confirmed the i'm
preston which had been left on his
mind. Rushing into the cabin, he
exclaimed,
"That is Aaron Burr! I have
read a description of him in the
proclamation. Icannot be mistaken.
Let US follow him to Hinson's, and
take measures for his arrest"
His companion, not so easily
moved, ridiculed the project of pur-
suing a traveller at so late an hour,
merely on a conjecture; and, in short,
refused to go. But Perkins, not
deferred from his purpose, FASTENED
to 6. neighboring cabin, reused the
sheriff of the county, and told him
his story. In a few minutes the two
men were equipped and mounted,
and rode off at a rapid pace through
the pine woods.
The mysterious travellers, mean
while, made their way to Colonel
Hinson's residence. Hinson was
absent from home. His wife, reused
by their halo, rose, peeped through
small window, and, seeing by their
holsters and accoutrements that they
were strangers, made no reply to
them, but quietly closed the window
and returned to bed. The strangers
alighted and entered the kitchen,
where cheerful fire was still burn
ing.
Shortly after Perkins and the
sheriff came in sight of the house.
The former remained behind IN the
woods, while the sheriff went for
ward to reconnoiter, agreeing to re-
turn to Perkins as soon as he should
have discovered anything of import
ance. According to custom, the
sheriff hailed the house, when the
lady, reassured by hearing a well
known voice, descended to entertain
her midnight guests.
The sheriff entered the kitchen,
the strangers eyeing him keenly.
Supper was soon ready, and the par
ty sat down to it, Perkins, mean
while, shievering in the woods, and
wondering that his confederate did
not return. As the meal progress
ed, the traveller with the sparkling
eyes led the conversation in so
sprightly a manner, was SO polite
and grateful to the lady, and made
himself so agreeable generally, that
the the heart of the sheriff relented.
He came to arrest, and remained to
admire. The lady, too,was charmed
with her guests amiable manners.
The repast ended, the captivating
stranger returned to the kitchen
fire, leaving his companion at the
table. Now was the sheriff's oppor-
tunity. Whispering his suspicious
to the lady of the house, he induced
her to make the important inquiry.
Have l not" said she to the trav.
eler who still sat at the table, ''the
honor of entertaining Colonel Burr,
the gentleman who has just walked
ouLl'
The individual addressed Ia coun-
try guide) not being an adept in
diplomacy, showed palpable signs of !
embarrassment at the question. He
made no reply whatever, but imme-
diately rejoined his companion in
the kitchen. The subject was not
resumed, After some further, and |