The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-12-18

ing brothers were killed Guriug the war;
one died of mauia-a potu; one was drowned
in Biggiu Creek after a drunken troiic;
and Dan had his neck broken by a fail
from his horse while racing one Sunday
afternoon. He was TO have been married
that very night; after waiting Tor him for
three hours a youug fellow offered himself
rs substitute. rather than have the com
pauy disappointed. The bride agreed 10
the proposition, they were married, and
the wedding party all got roaring drunk
after Dams funeral next dav.
The war ended =, l;st, aud the suryi-
vors returned home to recurerate their
shattered fortunes. The country aroul.d
St Stephens and St. 50hn's had been badly
harIied by the enemy, but very few settle
ments had been destroyed and although
the negroes had been much demoTalizcd,
most OF them remained about the old home
steads. The Society OF the Cincinnati was
soon after founded, and bosh my fa-her
ana Captain TacUs became members. The
South Carolina branch hold it's animal
meetings in Charleston IL the autumn, the
time wien the planters were in the city for
the purchase Of their winter supplies, and
the annual dinner gave tie opportunity to
the veteran officers Of the late war to ieht
their battles over again and talk about
their strange adventures over their sherry
and madeira. 10 the fall of 1879 my father
went down, as usual, to attend the meet
ing, travelling on horseback, for there was
10 Northeastern i5ailruad then and no
steamers piled on Cooper River. Il took
two days 10 make The journey from st.
Stephens, the roadside tavgrns furnishing
rest and rcrgeshmcHt at night. One OF
these, the Seyon-milc House, had dccid-
ediy bad reputation 1t was tou near the
city for the purposes OF country travellers,
and yyas frcquentcd 10y disordarly charac-
teys from town. Ny father had not seen
Theus for a week o. two, and remarked
his absence fIon- the society meeting. Just
as dinner was served. however the captain
came in. fresh frorl Ire road and aPoloEjz-
ing for his detention, which he promised
to explain after the cloth was removed.
The toasis were drunk and the decauter
was circulated with the freedom which
fortunately is no longer considered esseu-
tial TO the requirements II good society,
when The president raped Oh the table and
called frr Captain Ehcuss story. lie le-
lateG substantially the adventure which !
have just told you, and Thea proceeded
with the sequel to it
." I was unable TO leave homo until yes
tcrday after dinner, and stopped at Boin-
cst's tavern last night determined TO start
early this morning and make the last tru,ity
miles in three hours. Unfortunately, how
ever, my horse struc,. lame, aud by the
time I reached lhe Segen-Inile House
had to djsmeunt and lead my horse. /
determined TO leave him there and hire a
fresh beast to bring me on !; and, having
made the arrangements with the hoStler.
went into the bar to get something hot
while was waiting. Imagine my feelings
when 7 enterered the room and saw Dave
Peig!er standing at the counter, rs had
seen him often at scu}etoNn. serving cat
rum and sugar to half dszcn ill-lcokiug
fellows 7 don't tlinL ! was frightened
but know I turned l.alc wilh astorish-
mcnt and it was soa:e time before I could
utter word. The fellow recognized me
at once, aud his hand shook SO gs to spill
the liquor he WAS pouring; bat lie recovered
in a moment, aud stood leaking ~ rnc with
very queer, ugly. expression. ! thonglt
theIe5aielit be tr1uLlr, bat knew my man
If deaui had not changed him. so oo;ctly
loosened the strap Of my holsters, which
hung on nay arm, and walking straight MP
10 the bar, said I, Are yoE not the Dave
Teislsr whorl J hanged at 81. Stephens
ten years ago?'' I'm ;h;t very Dave
Peigler, and as good a man today rs any
OF the crowd that roPed me UP" WAS the
answer. Then, pray, how the devil do
you happen to 5e here now ~ The dcvil
had nothing to do with It. or things might
have been different, aud small thanks 10 yau
either. Yon left me tw iating round like IN
old woman's spindle, with a haid knot
under my left eai. II sets my head swim
ming 10 think OF it now. if Balls Loyal
lists had been little more careful they
would have goLGled up your little squad
bodily. As it was they caught Joe Edie.
who you Thought had deserted, and hung
him with the same rope from which they
had cut ne down. 1t took some roGgh
rubbing aud q piHt al hollands to bring me
TO again. but | came round at last. aud sc
buried Ed;e in tie yard Of the OH Prick
church. reckon, captain, that clears The
score between us, and you and may S well
be friends" Then turning with wicked
grin 10 the astouihcd roudies wilC stood by
he added That's the reason, l'Dys, why
always wear nay shrft-neck opcn. I've
,,a,-e. bae, able % stand the pressure Of :,
cravat since that day took the ram and
water which he offered me, but in.-;sied on
paying fol it. and determined to ride my
own horse 10 town after resting him while.
That accounts for my being late at dinner
to- day
''My father used to say that after this he
never PASSED the Seven mile House after
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