The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1874-08-26
mister, said the teamster, with q
grin. as be walked away.

that we had been conducted to by
mine host we'll be murdered, and
only because you acted like an OBJ,
stinate mule. and then T burst into
tears.
MY dear he replied, be a
philosopher and make the best OF
our felicitous situation. There is
one consolation-that is, If oun'
throats are cut we shall have the
blessed privilege Of dying in each
'other's arms. Think OF that. my
dear, and be happy.
"'George. I sobbed, how can you
be so heartless as to joke when we
are in such great danger of our
lives! If you'd had any considcra-
ton for my comfort anl my safety:
you'd have given the stage driver
what he asked. I shall never for
give you for acting so-no. not as
long as 7 live.
We'll. perhaps that won't be
very long: so you'd better not
treasure up ANY harsh feelings
against me, for if you should hap
pen to die suddenly, without having
pardoncd me, your soul wouldn't
rest in peace
| i male no reply. for ] saw that
he was very anxious, and was try
ing to cheer me up by making light
of the situation.
! About six O'Clock the host
brought us some supper, which we
partook Of sraringly, for We We're
in no humor for eating. 1t nine
o'clock George ordered two milk
punches. When The host hal
brought them. and deposited the
tray on the table. and LETT the room.
my husband cautiously tasted and
smclled the contents Of one Of the
glasses.
".Ihis punch contains drugs he
said: we have, indeed, got into a
murderer's ile1l.
The windows were both shutter
less. and our room was not more
than ten feet from the ground. 1t
was a lovely. clear, moonlight night,
and we could see those treacherous
half-breeds standing outside. gazing
up into onr apartment, and looking
as if they but waited till we were
asleep, when they would be only
toe ready to assist the taveln-keeper
to take our lives.
Its a slight consolation to
know that you have your pistols
with which to defend us if we are at
tackled by those scoundrels, said I.
"'Unluckily for us. as it happens,
T placed them in my trunk yester-
day by mistake, and all the trunks
are down stairs. I should have had
them brought up here, but [ did
not wish to do SO, as I thought it
might cause the tavern-kecpe, to
think that we suspected he would
rob US if he got the opportunity.
";Good God! I cried. then we
shall have to stand still, and be
killed like sheep when slaughtered
BIZ the butchers. What need you
to have cared for the mans sus-
Dicions a.s long as we had something
to defend ourselves with. Oh.
George. yo'7 have acted very rashly.
My dear Annie. we've got intoa
scrape. and now We must get ont OF
it as best we can. We must put
our trust in luck, and hope we shall
escape bodily harm.
Not in luck, George, but in God,
1 solemnly replied.
Our conversation had been Cal.
ried on in whispers, for we were
afraid Of being overheard. About
twelve o'clock the tavern-kccper
knocked at our door and asked
Are you asleep, and is there any
thing you wish to have brought to
youH My husband answered i'll
the negative. Three hours elapsed,
when the same question was repeat
ed. George made no reply, but. a
slender, though heavy log Of wood
in his appraised hands, stood near
the door, ready to attack the first
person who entered. I lay, trcmb
ling in an agony Of fear stretched
upon the bed. The suspense was
awful, and Twas almost crazcd with
terror.
My eyes were fastened on the
door, and my husband, who, statue
like. stood beside it. The door had
neither lock nor bolt, SO anybody
could enter the room easily. Sud
denly I perceived it move slightly,
and by degrees it opened wide
CROUCH to permit a man to come in.
To my great horror I saw, through
the aperture made by the opening
of the door, the tavern-kecper, and
in his right hand he clutched large
bowie knife. He thrust in his head
cautiously, and as he did so, my
husband struck him a heavy blow
ILL, h;e ,.,,1o 1vaanon The wretch !