Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-01-16

at the house before them, and the
landlord told my father, that if he
spent the night with him, the parson
and himself must share the same bed
together. This arrangement, however,
was agreeable to both, and their horses
being led TO the stable, the two newly
arrived guests joined the other persons
in the little bar-room.
''Did you come through Cherry Val
ley, gentlemen inquired one of the
strangers.
Ny father replied. that he passed
through that place two days before
and his companion signified that he also
had.
''Then you must have heard of the
murder and robbery of Col. St.irgis,
that occurred near that place the other
day"
Ny father answered that che had not
halted in the place, and therefore did
not gather any of the village gossip"
But his fellow-traveler remarked that
he had heard of the affair, and a sad
affair it was, too.
"Ah, my FRIEND" he continued,
''these are fearful times. when peaceful
travellers cannot travel through your
country in safety, | hear that murder
and robbery is of frequent occurrence
on this side of the Hudson of late.
But" he added with a smile, ''poor
preachers like me may pass scot free,
for its precious little the knaves would
make off one of my persuasion.
Have they not yet found any clue TO
the robbers?" he asked.
"Not for certain" replied the man.
But there's no doubt it's the work of
that scoundrel, Tom Wills"
''Yes.' now joined in the landlord.
who that moment returned from the
stable; ''yes, gentlemen, there's not
the least doubt ont, That, cut-throat,
Tom Wills. is at the bottom ont all :"
tom Wills, Tom Wills" repeated
the parson; land pray, my friend, who
is this Tom Wills? | never heard the
name befOre"'
''Then, guess. you must be a stran-
ger in these parts"
YES" answered my fathers COM
panion. 81 have now entered York
state for the first time, and am therefore
a stranger in the country"
''Well, then, sir, I'll tell you who this
Tom Wills is" replied the landlord.
-'He is a notorious rObber, who they
say came up from York, and for many
months carried on his bloody work
between Albany and Schenectady, and
He is the same villain who
wavlaid and robbed Colonel Van Rens-
selaer on the Mohawk last fall; and
lodged about Montgomery county, till
the country became too hot for him;
and since then, no doubt, he's been on
our side Of the river. Yes, gentlemen"
continued the landlord, Il hav'n't the
least doubt that same rascal murdered
Col. Sturgis for the money he was tax
ing down to York to buy his summer
stock of goods with
As the landlord concluded this ac-
count of the robber, the parson lifted
his hands in horror, and looking up
wards, exclaimed:
''Ah, may the good Lord protect us
from that sinful man, my friends"
continued he, with evident signs of
alarm, "do you imagine there is any
danger of our being molested by this
wicked Tom Wills, on our road tC Mar
Tomorrow"
''There's no knowing where he is"
answered one of the travellers, ''for they
say he makes his appearance where he
is least expected; sometimes spending
the night as an honest traveller with the
very persons he rObs the next day.
He is plausible fellow, who disguises
himself so skilfully that even his own
it is said, often fail to rec
ognize him.
''Indeed >" exclaimed the excited par
son. "But, my friends, let us trust in
the protection of Heaven, for if the
sparrows are not suffered to fall un-
noticed to the ground, how much less
shall we, who are of more value than
many sparrows," and with this pious
The worthy parson dis
missed the subject, and led the way
into the supper room.
That night, my father and his new
were furnished with a
bed i'm a small ''lean-to," built upon the
rear of the house. But before retiring
the stranger asked my father if he had
any objection to join him in returning
thanks to, and begging further protec-
from Heaven.
OF course he had not, and the good
parson made a most eloquent prayer;
in which he especially prayed that they
might be delivered from the hands of
that sinful robber, whose wicked deeds
were filling the country with alarm.
As my father was in the act of un-
dressing, large, well-filled pocket
book slipped from the breast pocket of
his coat upon the floor. The quick eye
Of his fellow traveller caught sight of
it, and STOPPING down, he picked it up
and restored it to him, remarking that
he ''seemed well prepared for a long
Journey"
Yes" replied my father, jocularly,
especially when my purse is backed
1y these earnest persuaders - and draw
ng from the waistband Of his panta-
oons a pair of loaded pistols, he laid
hem upon the table at the head of their
bed.
During the night my father was
lroused from sleep by hearing foot
,teps in the room; and, springing into
sitting position, demanded quickly
who's there:"
''It's only |, my friend" answered
he voice of his bed-fellow. ''The
morning air is rather fresh, and have
ust closed the windOw-that's ALL"
and returning to the bed, the parson
vas soon buried in sleep again, as my
ather sunpoSp1