Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1878-06-15
TlIEGHosr lsoBBER.

One fine evening in the spring of 1880
2 stranger. mounted on noble looking
horse, passed over the snow-white lime
stone road leading through the Black
Forest.
just as the sun was going to rest for
the day, when the gloomy shadows were
beginning to stalk, be drew rein, as he
sud:
~This must be near the spot, surely.
III stop here, anyhow for u while, and
see what can learn"
He thereupon dismOunted and entered
tie parlOr OF the inn. where he sat down
besi,ie a small table.
sHow eau serve you, meinheer?" said
the landlord. t-f-
'.See to my horse, outside replied the
guest, Cal elessly. but at the same time
cycling the landlord from head to loot;
..and let me have some wine-Rhine will
do
The landlord was turning to withdraw
fromsthe strangers presence, when he
stopped and SAID:
ell ~
so Nanstadt," replied the guest.
s,You will rest here Tonight, l sup
pose, continued the landlord.
IL will stay here tor two or three
hours. but must thea be OF, so rs TO
reach my destination there in the morn
ing. am going 10 purchase lumber tor
the market"
sAnd you have considerable money
with you, no doubt 2" asked the land
lord inn0cently.
..Yes, considerable" replied the guest,
slipping ut his wine, ,lisintcrestedly.
Then If you take my advice" said the
landlord, you'll stay here TIL morning.
WHY replied the stranger, looking
up curiOusly.
'.Because?" whispered the landlord,
looking as il he We're disclosing a great
secret. and Was afraid OF being heard by
:someb ody else. ''ev-ry man that pass, d
over the road between this and Nanstadt
ut midnight. tor the last ten years, has
been robbed or murdered under very
singular circumstances"
sWhat were the circumstances" ask
ed the stranger. putting down his
glass empty, and preparing TO fill Ii
again.
'.Why you see." the landlord went on
while he approached his guests table
and took Il seat, Il have spoken with
i
could learn from them is that they re-
member meeting init lonesome part Of
The wood. something tliI looked white
and giIastir. anu lnsJ frightened theli
horses so that lhey either ran away OF
threw their riders; they felt a choking
eensstiou and "A sort OF Smothering, and
finally died. us they Thought. but awokt
in an hour or 50 10 ilid themselves lying
by the road side. robbed OF everything.
"Indeed." ejacnaled the stranger
looking abStracIeGly at the rafters in the
ceiling, as though he was more intent
upon counting mem than he Was interes
ted in the landlords Story.
The innkeeper looked at him in aston
ishment. Such perfect goodness he hat
hot witnessed Tor a long lime.
You will remain then?' suggested
the landlord, after waiting some lime 10
his guest TO speak.
ZIP" cred the stranger, starting from
his fit otabstr;lction, It's though he wa
hot sure that he was the person addressed
"Oh, most certainly not I'm goin.
straight aliead, ghost or no. ghost, to-
night"
Haitian hour later. the stranger anC
guide called Wilhelm, were out OIL
the road. going at "a pretty round pace
toward Nalstadt.
During Il flash of lightning the stran-
ger observed that his guide looked very
uneasy about something, and was slack
ening his horses pace rs though he in.
tended 10 drop behind.
lead on" cried the stranger, ''don'i
be atraidr
I'm afraid I cannot," replied the per,
son addressed, continuing 10 hold his
horse in until he was now at least /;
length behind his companion MY
horse is cowardly and nnmanageable il
a thunderstorm. III you will go Oh
though, hink 1 can make him follow
sclose enough to point out tie road"
The stranger pulled up instantly. 4
strange light cleaning in his eyes, while
his hand sought his breast pocket, from
which he drew something. The guido
saw the movement and stopped also.
s.Guides should lead, not follow" sale
the stranger. quitely. but with a firmnes
which seemed to be exceedingly unpleas
ant to the person addressed.
But" faltered the guide, ss.my shors
won't co."
s.Won't he o. queried the strange
with mock simplicity.
The guide heard sharp click, and saw
something CLEAN in his companion's RICH
hand. He seemed to understand perfect
". for he Immediately drove his spur
into his horses flanks and shot ahead O
bis companion without another word.
He no sooner reached his old position
however, than the stranger saw him Civ
sharp turn to the right and then disap
pear, as though he had vanished through
the foliage of the trees that skirted th
road. r-hr
He heard the clatter of his horse as b
galioped away. Without waiting anothe
instant. he touched bis horse lightly wit
the reius. gave him prick with the row
els, and of the noble animal started lik
the wind in the wake OF the flying guide
The strangers horse being much sy
3 perior to the Others the race was shOr
& 4One, and terminated by the guide beini
thrown nearly from his saddle by heav
hand which was laid upon his bride
stopping him.
He turned in his seat. beheld the stran
gers face, dark and frowning. and trem
bled violently as he felt the smooth, col,
barrel OF a pistol pressed against hi
cheek. SIX
"This cursed beast almost ran ava,
with me-" cried the guide comnosin,
himself as well as he could under the cir
cumstances. T
Eyes, l know" said his companio,
dryly. "but mark my word. young mar
If your horse plays such tricks again, he'l
be the means of seriously injuring hi
masters health"
They both Turned and cantered bac
to the road. When they reached it agai
and turned the heads of their animals
the right direction, the stranger said
his guide, in tone which must have col
vinced his nearer as to his earnes,ness:
Now. friend Wilhelm. / hope we III