Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1874-08-01

"'GOOd heavens, beorge' cfleu, Whcn
safe within the apartment that VIC had been
conducted to by the host; well he mur-
dered, and only because you acted like an
obstinate mule. and then burst into tears.
"'My dear. he replied, 'bc philosopher
and make the best Of our feictous situation.
There is one consolation--that is, if our
throats are cut we shall have the blessed
privilege of dying in each others arms.
Think of that, my dear, and be happy
"'George, sobbed, how can You be so
heartlcss as to joke when we are in such
great danger of our lives? Ifyoud d had any
consideration for my comfort and my safety,
you'd have given the stage driver what he
asked | shall never forgive you for acting
so-no, not as long as live
"'Well, 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 pardon
ed me, your soul wou,dn rest in peace
81 made no reply, for | saw that he was
very anxious, and was trying to cheer me up
by making light of the situation.
about six O'Clock the host brought us
some supper, which we partook Of sparingly,
for we were in no humor for eating. At
nine o'clock George ordered two milk
punches. When the host lad brought
them, and deposited the tray on the table,
and left the room, my husband cautiously
tasted and smclled the contents Of one Of the
glasses.
"'This punch contains drugs he said:
we have, indeed, got into il murderer
den
"The windows were both shuttcrlcSs, and
our room was not more than ten feet from
the ground. 1t was Il lovely, clear, moon
light night, and we could see those treach-
crous hali-brceds standing outside, gazing
up into our apartment and looking as if
they but waited till we were asleep, when
they would be only too ready to assist the
taycrn-keeper to take our lives.
"'Its slight consolation to know that
you have your pistols with which to defend
us, if we are attacked by those scoundrels,'
said l.
'Unluckily for us, as it happens, |
placed them in my trunk yesterday by mis-
take. and all the franks are down stairs. |
should have had them brought up here, but
did not wish to do 50, as thought it might
cause the tavern-keeper to think that we
suspected he would rob us if he got the
opportunity
"'Good Godn Icricd, then we shall have
to stand still, and be killed like sheep when
slaughtered by the butchers. W hat need
you to have cared for the mans suspicious
as long as we had something to defend our
! selves with. Oh, George! You have acted
very raShly.
"'NIy dear Annie, we've got into scrape,
and now we must get out 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,'
solcmnly replied.
"Our conversation had been carried on in
whispers, for we We're afraid of being over
heard. About twelve O'Clock the tavern
keeper knocked at our door and asked
Are you asleep, and is there anything you
wish to have brought to you?' My hus-
band answered in the negative Three hours
elapsed, when the same question was re-
pcated. 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 |
lay, trembling in an agony Of fear stretched
upon the bed The suspense was awful,
and | was almost crazed with terror.
"My eyes were fastened on the door, and
my husband, who, statuc-likc, stood beside
it. The door had neither lock nor bolt, so
anybody could enter the room easily. Sud-
denly | perceived it move slightly, and by
degrees it opened wide enough to permit a
man to come in. To my great horror l saw,
through the aperture made by the opening
of the door, the tavern-keeper, and in his
right hand he clutched large bowie knife.
lie thrust in his head cautiously, and as he
did so, my husband struck him heavy blow
with his rude weapon. The wretch, with
out giving vent to a cry or even a groan, fell
to the floor like dead weight.
"'You've killed him, George cried,
though hardly above a whisper.
No, he's only stunned. just hand me
that cord lying on the table, and I'll pinion
his arms so that he won't be able to give us
any trouble when he regains his senses
81 obeyed my husbands orders, and he
quickly bound the villains arms and feet,
so that it wonld be impossible for him to
move when he came to. At the first sign of
consciousness that he showed, George gag
gcd him, and then carried him to largo
closet, placed him in it, and closed the
door.
"'At daylight said George, 'the team
ster will be here, but few people will be up
and about, and we shall be able to leave
quietly. If this fellow had had any accom-
plices he would have brought them with
him; he has no wife, 50 his people will not
miss him till long after we are gone. If
they knew how I've treated him, we'd have
the whole tribe at our heels, and they would
make short work Of killing Us and dividing
the Spoils, fear. Once out Of this dctcst-
able place, and we are safe.