The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-08-14
A NIGHT OF TERROR.

| Mrs. Discomb,'' said |, one evening, TO a
middle-aged lady with whom | was spend
ing an hour in pleasant conversation, "you
appear to have met with many adventures in
your younger days. You relate a story 50
well, that | never tire of listening to YOU
! 50, II there has been any thrilling episode
in your life that have not as yet heard, |
should be pleased to have you narIJte it,
and can assure you that | shall be a most
attentive listener"
Il am afraid you re great fatterer. Mr..
williamson" she replied "However, -
she added, II viii comply with your request,
for a startling event recurs to my mind at
this moment.
Twenty years ago my husband was a
dealer in jeweiry, and also in most articles
Of great value. He Travelled almost inces-
sanity, and stopped but short time in each
city or town. could not bear to be parted
from him for months at time, 50 | always
accompanied him in his wanderings, and
endured many hardships and dangers for
the sake Of always being with him. There
Were not many railroads III those days; they
were like angels viSits-fcw and far be-
tween
Late in the Summer of 1852, we were in
New Orleans; he had finished his business
there, and was ready to leave. On making
inq quiries he found that there would be no
vessel for Savannah, our next stopping place,
till the end of the following month, 50 he
decided to take the overland route.
'W ell, We got as far as Opelaka, Georgia,
without meeting with any very serious
annoyance or danger. Opelaka, at that
period, was little more than village, in
habited by half-breed Indians, miserable.
treacherous rascals, and few whites, whose
general character was equally as bad. Every
two weeks a stage left Opelaka for Griffin,
the terminus of the railroad from Savannah.
We got there in time for the stage, bat,
through the stupid obstinacy Of my husband
we were left behind in that miserable place
lie had three trunks filed with valuable
goods, and the stage driver wanted ten dol
lars more than my husband had ever paid
anybody else-that Is, for an equal distance
-tor-carrying them to Griffin.
"'George, give him what lie asks said
rather than stay in this wretched village for
weeks. If we remain here, We'll be murder
ed and robbed by those Misunderstanding
Indians.
Annie he replied, Il won't pay such
exorbitant charges to that sconndrel no, not
if We have to stop in this place for a month
by refusing to do So
'.Well, as 1 SAID before, the stage left
without US, for the driver refused to take the
trunks for less than ne demanded
There was q squalii-looking hotel
tavern, rather-in the village, kept by
dirty, ruffianly-appearing halt-breed, which
my husband and entered on the departure
of the stage.
"'Can we get Il team to take our trunks
and ourselves to Griffin ? asked my husband,
of the host.
THE roads are in very bad condition,
and you couldn't get more than five miles
from here this afternoon, and you d have TO
stop at house where a man was murdered
last week for two dollars. You'd better stop
here Tonight. III make yod as comfortable
as | can. he replied.
".WelI. then, gae-s we'll stay here
till tomorrow morning., observed my hus-
band
"The host went to prepare a room for
US. and as he left theapartment white man
stepped up to my husband and said:
'..Mi..ter. you d better not stay in this she
bang tonight, for you'll surely get murder
ed fyou do There were five men killed
and robbed in this ranch within the last two
months. I'm a teamster, and III take you
to Griffin if you want me to.
',.A pleasant prospect, indeed said
George If we stay here we're likely to
have cur throats cut, SO he tells US and, if
we 90 on this afternoon and stop at the old
tavern over night, mine host says that the
same delightful late will await US there.
Between two evils choose the least; bat,
confound the whole affair | don't know
which is the least. Ny friend, he added,
turning to the teamster, Il reckon we'll re-
main here tonight. BE ready to start early
to-morrow morning at daylight
elf you and your wife isn't as dead as
door nail, you mean to say, mister, said the
teamster, with grin, as he walked away.
Good heavens, GEORGE | cried, when
afe within the apartment that we had been
conducted to by the host well be muir
dsred. and only because you acted ike an
obstinate mule and then | burst into tears
my dear, he replied, be philosopher
and make the best of cur felicitous situation.
There is one consolation-that Is, II our
tbroats are cut we shall have the blessed
,,ivile.re of diving in each others arms.
Think of that, my dear, and be happy.
".George, sobbed, how can you be SO
beartless as to joke when we are in such
great danger of our lives? If you d had any
consideration for my comfort and my safety,
you'd have given the stage driver what he
asked. shall never forgive yog ier acting