Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1879-09-10

Here he found two young men,
one of whom from his resemblance
To the landlord he recognized as his
sou; the other somewhat older, from
his manners appeared also to belong
to the family. Immediately after
supper during which the drover
stated where he bad been, and
what good luck he had met with
the sou mounted "a horse, and stat
cd that he was going to Marqulse,
to stay all night, rode of. The
drover. having looked after the com.
fort of his horse, soon after requested
the landlord TO show him to his
room.
AZ the traveller slipped of his
garments, he felt for his leatherD
belt about his waist, to see that it
was secure. This contained his
gold, while his paper money was in
II large wallet, carried in u pocket
made for the purpose, in the inside
OF his vest. Drpositing these ar.
ticles beneath his pillow, he extin-
guishcd his light and threw himself
upon the bed, when. overcome by
WEAKNESS, he soon fell ASLEEP.
How long be had been in this
state of iorgettulness he could not
tell, when he was aroused 10 wake.
fulness by the sound of some persons
cndeavoring to open the window
near the head of the bed. At the
same time he heard suppressed
voices without as of several persons
in whispered consultation.
Startled by this suspicious ap.
pearancc of things, the ,drover reach.
ed toward the chair on which he
had thrown his clothes for his weap.
ons; but to his dismay. he re:ncm.
bered that Oh his arrival, when fix.
ing to wash of the dust of his jour.
ncy. he had laid them aside within
the bar, and had neglected to resume
them.
Scarcely conscious of what he was
doing, the dcfenseless drover slip.
ped from the foot of the bed, and
hid himself in the darkness behind
lot of woman's dresses suspended
from the wall, and watching the
motions of u man who was now
slowly but cautiously entering the
room. He even fancied he could
detect the reflection of a dim light
upon the appraised knife as the man
approached the bed with stagger.
ing and uncertain steps. But great
was his relief when, instead of al
attempt ut murder, the intruder
carclessly shutlled of his clothes,
and throwing himself upon the bed
he had just vacated, was soon bu-
ricd in deep slumber.
Not knowing what to make of
this strange affair, the drover deter
mined to dress himself. call up the
landlord, and have this singular
intrusion explained He had reach.
ed his clothes and slipped on his
trousers, and was moving toward
the d.or, when steps were heard
cautiously crossing the room. Once
more he sought the shelter of the
dresses, which completely screened
his person, and waited the entrance
of the parties, whoever they might
he. Presently the door of the room
was silently opened, and two men
made their appearance. 1t was not
so dark but that the drovcr could
readily distinguish them to he the
keeper and the man he had seen at
the supper table.
"Stcp lightly. | tell you,- whisper.
ed the landlord. "or you'll wake
him up, and then. we'll have Il pref.
ty mess on our hands,
NONSENSE" replied the other
with an oath. "lou are scared, old
mani
Scared" replied the first speak.
er. NO man ever told Jean Gar
nier before he was scared. Here,
give me the knife. I'll show YOU
who is scared! You secure the
money-its under the pillow; | saw
him put it there-and Ill do the
rest
The old man now in advance, and
as he stood between the window
and the drOver. the latter could see
his form bent over the bed, while
his hand seemed to be searching
beneath the pillow.
There, Henri, take it. Here's
the wallet, and here's the belt.
How heavy it is" and he passed the
money to his companion before the
other had yet reached the bedside.
The old man then put his hand to
his bosom, and the trembling drov.
er saw him draw forth the long blade
the other had given him. For an
instant the murderous weapon was
pois, Il over his head, and then de
scended upon the person of the
wretch in the bed.