New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-05-08
The PEDDLER'S STORY.

A cold winters night, several years
since, found a stage~load Of passengers
gathered around the warm fire OF a tavern
bar-room in New England village.
Shortly after we arrived, peddler drove
up and ordered that his horse should be
stabbed for the night.
After we had eaten supper, we repair
ed to the bar-rocm, where the converse
ton flowed freely. Several anecdotes had
been related, and finally the peddler was
asked to give us story, as men of his
profession were generally full of adven-
lures and anecdotes. He was short,
thick-set man, somewhere about forty
years Of age, and gave evidence of great
physical strength. He gave his name as
Lemuel Vinney, and said his home was
in Dover, New Hampshire.
swell, gentlemen he commenced,
knocking the ashes from his pipe and
putting it in his pocket, suppose I tell
you about the last thing Of any conse-
quence that happened to me. You see I
am now right from the West, and on my
way home for winter quarters. 1t was
during the early part Of last spring, one
pleasant evening, that pulled up at the
door Of small village tavern in Hancock
county, Indiana. I said it was pleasant
Il mean warm. went in and called
for supper and had my horse taken care
of After ] had eaten, sat down in the
bar-room. It began to rain about eight
o'clock, and it was very dark out doors.
Now wanted to be in Jackson the next
morning, for I expected load of goods
there for me which intended to dispose
Of on my way home.
The moon would rise about mid
night, and knew if il did not rain I
could get along through the mud very
well after that. So I asked the landlord
if he would see that my horse was fed
about midnight, as / wished to be off at
about two. He expressed some surprise
at this and asked me why did not stop
Tor breakfast. I told him that I had
sold my last load about out and that a
new lot of goods was waiting for me at
jackson, and I wanted to be there be
fore the express agent left in the morning.
There were number of persons
sitting round while I told this. but /
1ook little notice of them; only one ar
rested my attention. I had seen that
week notices for the detection of mo-
torisus robber. The bill gave de-
scription of his person, and the man be-
fore me answered very we'll to. it. He
was tall, well Horned man, rather, slight
in frame, and had the appearance of q
gentleman, save that his face bore those
hard, cruel marks which an observing
man cannot mistake for anything but
the index of villainous disposition.
s When I went to my chamber, ask
ed the landlord who that man was, de-
scribing the individual. He said he did
not know him. He had GENE that after
noon and intended to leave the next day.
The host asked me why I wished to
know, and I simply told him that the
mans countenance was familiar, and /
merely wished to know if I ever was &C
guainted with him.
81 was resolved not to let the landlord
in the secret, but to give information
to the sheriff and perhaps he might reach
the inn before the villain left, for I had
10 dodbts with regard to his identity.
q had an alarm watch, and having set
to give the alarm at one o'clock, went
sleep. was aroused at the proper