Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-11-22
The Murdered PeddIer.
An OLD story RstoIds

One of the most striking cases OF
presence of mind and self-possession Of
which 1 have any recollection came to
light in trial which took place some
months since in Ireland. The story
looks like fiction, but 1 have reason to
believe it quite true.
A woman was travelling along a road
to join her husband, who was engaged
as a teamster in the army, and was
quartered some twelve miles from Ath-
lone. She had not proceeded far when
she was joined by peddler, who was
going the same way.
They entered into conversation
during walk of some hours, but as the
day began to wane they agreed that
they should stop for the night at a house
of entertainment, and pursue their pc
destrian journey the next day.
They reached an humble inn, situated
in a lonely spot by the roadside, and,
fatigued after long days walk, they
were glad to find themselves under the
shelter of roof.
Having refreshed themselves with a
substantial supper set before them, they
expressed a wish to retire.
They were shown into the travellers
room and went to rest in their respec-
tive beds.
The peddler, before retiring, had
called the landlord aside and given into
his keeping the pack which he had I'M
strapped from his back until the
morning, telling him that it contained
considerable sum of money and much
valuable property.
They were not long in bed before the
peddler fell into sound sleep, but the
poor woman, perhaps from over-fatigue
or from thoughts of meeting her hus-
band next day, lay awake. A couple OF
hours might have passed, when she saw
the door slowly opened and person
enter holding light, which he screened
with his hand. She instantly recog-
nized in him one of the young men she
had seen below, son to the landlord.
He advanced with stealthy steps to
the bedside of the peddler and watched
him for a moment. He then went out
and entered again with his brother and
father, who held in his hand o large
pewter basin.
They went ON tiptoe to the bedside
where the peddler lay in a deep sleep.
One of the young men drew out {
knife, and while the father held the
basin so as to receive the blood he GU
the poor victims throat from ear to ear
A slight, half audible groan, and al
was still, save the cautious movement
of the party engaged in the fatal deed
They had brought in with them large
sack, into which they thrust the unre
sisting body. The poor woman lay 81
lently in her bed, fearing that her turn
would come next. She heard low NUT
terings among the men, from which sh'
soon gathered that they should murde
her too, as they feared she might hav,
it in her power TO betray them. One Of
them said he was sure that she was fas
asleep, and there was no occasion t.
trouble themselves; but to make sure o
this being the case one came to her bed
side with the candle in his hand and tn
other with knife. She kept her eye
} closed as if in sleep, and had such com
} plete command over herself as not t.
betray in her countenance any sign tina
she was conscious of what was going on
The candle was passed close to her eyes
the knife was drawn close to her throat
she never winked or showed by an
J movement of her features or of linn
| that she appreh.nded danger. So tn
> men whispered that she was so sound
: asleep that nothing was to be feare
from her, and went out of the room, re
! moving the sack which contained tn
body of the murdered man. =
. How long must that night of horror
have seemed to that poor lone woman
How frightful were the stiffness and il
darkness.
2 The presence of mind which had s
= astonishingly enabled her to act pal
4 to which she owed her life, sustaine
3 her through the trying scenes whic
she had yet to pass. She did not hurr
from her room at an unusually earl
r hour, but waited until she had heard a
s thefamily astir for some time she the
: went down and said she had oversleI
x herself, in consequence of being great
: tired.
She asked where the peddler wa
u and was told that he was in too great
e hurry to wait for her, but that he lie
s sixpence to pay for her breakfast.
+ She sat down composedly to thi
!. meal, and forced herself to take with q
:. apparent appetite of the food set befol
= her.
d She appeared unconscious of Il
n eyes which, with deep scanning, wei
II fastened upon her.
it When the meal was over she toe
|, leave of the family, and went on h
IS way without the least appearance
l. discomposure or mistrust. She ha
> proceeded but short way when 81
r was joined by two strapping lookir
e women. One look was sufficient to co,
e vince her that they were young me
x and one thought to assure her that 81
70 was yet in their power and on the vel
s verge of destruction.
is They walked by her side, entered in
conversation, asked her where she w
le going, and told her that their road w
% the same way they questioned her
IS to where she had lodged the night b
70 fore, and made minute inquiries abo
l. the family occupying the wayside in
Ie Her answers were quite unembarrasse
le and said the people of the house hi
e appeared to be decent and civil, al
g had treated her very well.
4. For two hours the men continued |
re her side conversing and watching h
re with most scrutinizing glances at al
er change In her countenance, and askil
10 questions which, had she not been full
r. self-possessed, might have put her {
l. her guard. It was not till her dread
companions had left her, and till 81
le saw her husband coming along q