The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-12-10
THE LANDLORDS STORY.

During tho winter Of 1877 while tray
cling through the eastern part of Ontario,
terrible snow-storm made the roads, 1or
atlme, 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. o+ ii: ...:a
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, thorou ghly acquainted
with every incident and circumstance in
the history OF that section OF country cal
culated to interest a traveller who, like
myself, had several long winter evenings
to dispose Of. Il
One of the stories related by my host
| recollect distinctly, and, in order that
you may hear it in nearly the same Ian
guage IN which it was told me at the
time, I will repeat, as nearly as nv
memory serves me, the words of the land
lord.
When I built this hotel-,n '55, I
think it was-my first host,er, or man of
all-work, was negro boy, who had ap-
peared In the village short time before
When l first saw HIM, he was in plight
pitiable indeed; shoeless, footsore, hun
cry. his clothing-what there was of it
10 tatters, he was a spectacle we'll calcu-
lated to awaken the sYmpathies of any.
one not wholly Indifferent to the suffer
ings 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, l
employed him, agreeing to furnish him a
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
long time had IN him 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 themselves
highly pleased with the interest he man
ifested in making every thlng pleasant
fer them, and often, when . party of them
required the services of one having q
thorough knowledge of the country, or
wished to be rowed to the opposite vii
lage or down the river, Tom was the
available man. s@ss-.. faF'r'-.,.
After he had been with me three or
four years we were visited by two men
giving their names as Thompson and
Gordon, representing themselves as COM
ing from Vermont In search Of timber
lands, as we'll as an eligible site upon
which to erect'a large saw-mill, and stat
ing their determination to explore the
country on both sides of the river.
Why it was cannot explain, but, from
the time Of their coming, I had forebod-
ings that all was not right. My, guests
were thin, wiry, dark-faccd, and did not
IN any, respect resemble the Vermont
Yankee as 1 had known him. However,
there was nothing suspicious in this, l
thought, as they might have lived in Yer
mont only short time before coming
here; but, fight against it as / might, /
often found myself watching them with
more than usual attentiveness.
On the second day following their ar
rival was approached by Gordon, who
asked the amount of their bill, after pay
ing which he said: @-t1 ~ Il 1-,.#
eve wish to cross the river this after
noon, provided we can get some one who,
TOR 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"
l at once offered to furnish boat, and
suggested that, for the money, Tom
would willingly take them to the other
sldesas soon as they were ready.
Thompson, who had heard most of what
had been saying, expressed himself we'll
pleased with the arrangement, and, every
thing being in readiness, dusk found
them at the waters edge ready to push
off into the stream. SS&9 SIS 81.