Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-12-11
THE LANDLORDS STORY.

During the winter Of 1877 while tray
cling through the eastern part of Ontario,
a terrible snow-storm made the roads, Tor
a time, impossible, and was obliged to
remain for several days in E., small
town lying On the Canada side of the
river St. lawrence, and directly opposite
somewhat smaller village in the State
of New York.
During this time was the guest OF the
only hotel that the place afforded, and
was greatly pleased to find that the land
lord was an intelligent, well-informed,
jov1al gentleman, thoroughly acquainted
with every incident and circumstance in
the history of that section OF country cal
culated to interest traveller who, like
myself, had several long winter evenings
to dispose of.
One of the stories related by my host
I recollect distinctly, and, in order that
you may hear it in nearly the same lam
guage in which it was told me at the
time, ! will repeat, as nearly as my
memory serves me, the words of the land
lord.
When l built this hetel-ln '55, I
all-work, was negro boy, who had ap-
peared IN the village a short time before.
When first saw HIM, he was in plight
pitlable indeed; shoeless, footsore, hun
cry, his clothing-what there was of it
in tatters, he was spectacle we'll calcu-
lated to awaken the sYmpathies of any
one not wholly Indifferent to the suffer
lngs Of fellow creature. He was anx-
ious to work, and was more than willing
to do all in his power, in any capacity
IN return for something to wear. As he
appeared honest, earnest and capable,
employed him, agreeing to furnish him q
good home, provide his clothing, and
give him, in addition, such wages as he
appeared to deserve.
The poor fellow was anything but
dilatory in accepting my offer, and for 6
long time had In him a faithful and
most capable servant. Honest, industri
Gus and obliging, he appeared to make
friends with all who came to the hotel
Guests frequently expressed themselve:
highly pleased with the interest he man
Tested in making everything pleasant
fer them, and often, when party of then
required the services of one having (
thorough knowledge of the country, o.
wished to be rowed to the opposite vii
lage or down the river, Tom was the
available man.
After he had been with me three o.
four years we were visited by two mer
giving their names as Thompson anC
Gordon, representing themselves as com
| ing from Vermont III search Of timbe
lands, as we'll as an eligible site upol
which to erect a large saw-mill, and stat
ing their determination to explore thu
country on both sides of the river.
Why it was cannot explain, but, from
| the time of their coming, had forebod
ings that all was not right. My guests
were thin, why, dark faced, and did no
in any respect resemble the Vernon
Yankee as 1 had known him. However
there was nothing suspicious in this,
thought, as they might have lived in Yer
mont only short time before coming
here; but, fight against it as I might,
often found myself watching them will
more than usual sttentiveness.
On the second day following their ar
rival I was approached by Gordon, wh'
asked the amount of their bill, after pay
ing which he said:
ave wish to cross the river this after
noon, provided we can get some one who
| for dollar or two. will do the rowing
There appears to be more or less floating
ice, and we do not care to try it alone"
/ at once offered to furnish boat, ant
suggested that, for the money, Ton
would willingly take them to the othe
side as soon as they were ready.
Thompson, who had heard most of wha
I had been saying, expressed himselfwel
pleased with tine arrangement, and, ever,
thing being in readiness, dusk found
them at the waters edge ready to pust
| off into the stream.
had accompanied them thus far mere
ly as an act of courtesy and to wish then
good luck, but it then occurred to me tina
by going over with them could attend
to certain business in the opposite village
and save ajourney at some future time
for that purpose only.
As / stepped into the boat noticed IN
expression of surprise on the faces of NJ
recent guests, and in moment, in fact
before / had taken my seat, enc of them
asked eff intended to go, too,' and up
on my saying that did, and giving my
reasons for having changed my calcula.
tions, the other inquired, rather sharply
"if / couldn't arrnnge my matters al
some other time"
"O," replied, 81 hardly suppose il
would make any difference TO you, and
SO T."
Eyes; but we have special business on
the other side." interposed Gordon.
"Then / shall not trouble you after we
leave the boat" ! answered, for by that
time l was provoked, and immediately
added: "Pull away, Tom,"
Tom did as directed, and the long
strong sweep of his oars Qor he had
grown to be powerful fellow during the
time he had been with mel was soon
placing goodly distance between us and
the Canada side.
Although could see that my presence
was anything but agreeable to my late
guests, yet We were soon talking about
the probabilities of having clear day
on the morrow, etc., and / would thought
no more of our little difference at the
start, had not my previously awakened
si1l nicinna cauend ma IN n0f1ca narficfl.