Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-05-01
A WESTERN STORY.

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You ask me to tell you story. Well,
rs l know Of no better way in which to
spend the long evening before us, l will
do so on one condition. Each must try
his hand ut II when get through.
We were weather bound ut rude
Western inn, almost upon tho verge Of
civilization. The day just passed had
been u stormy one, and we had to go
through il ~ best we could. Now rs
the darkness came on early and the long
evening doomed up before AZ, We gath
cred about tho roaring fire of huge logs,
which burned bravely upon the hearth,
and prepared to pass it away by story
telling, device to which travellers in
our situation arc always prone to resort
The one who had been appealed to for
tho first story, was man OF some fifty
years of age, who had followed the oc-
cupation of u peddler. He had the best
turnout in the stable which that part of
tho country had ever soon in his line,
though he had told lis that he once had
for years carried pack on his back.
But by his own exertions and industry
lie had risen above that, and had u snug
sum laid up against tho time when he
should give up his business and take the
remaining years of his life in an easier
way.
We gave our consent to his conditions
and he ut once commenced his story.
at is now nearly fifteen years ago
that the adventure bcfcll mo which | am
about to relate.
1t was before ! gave up my pack for
horse and cart, though l had already
made up my mind that could afford it.
was travelling through n wild section
Of country-wilder, if possible, than
this around here. Between the settle
ments there were long stretches of for
est filled with wild beasts, and now and
then you came upon band of strolling
sayages. Besides these thorc was the
usual class of villains, horse thieves and
rcuegadcs, who would not hesitate to
take mans life if they thought it to
their advantage to do so.
One night stopped at a tavern which
stood in the midst of settlement of not
more than dozen log houses. l had
been the round of them, and in the
morning l was to go on, at as early an
hour as possible, for learned that had
nearly score of miles to go before
should reach the next settlement.
SIN the evening there were assembled
in tho bar-r0om all the male dcuizcls Of
the place, and amoug them was one
whom at once sat down as u villain
His looks plainly showed that there was
little he would hesitate to do, if in the
end there was anything to gain. Again
and again caught him looking at my
pack, which had placed in one corner
of the room, near the bar; and at once |
felt sure he was looking at me as though
calculating whether or no should be II
dangerous antagonist in case he should
attempt to rob ne of it. The more
saw Of him, the less | liked his looks,
and felt relieved when ut last he left
the room for home.
~ was up betimcs next morning, and
rs soon as ! had finished my breakfast
l started. As l left the settlement be-
hind me, could help glancing about
to make sure that the man Of whom
had formed so poor an opinion was not
following me; but he was not to be seen.
Hardly any one was stirring out of doors,
and there was little life except about
the tavern, or where the white smoke
curled up above tho roof of each cabin.
"Once within the forest, hurried on,
desiring to put as great distance as
could between me and the settlement in
as little time as possible
A feeling of danger oppressed me,
which found impossible to shake off.
am not naturally timid, or given to
presentments, us many are but on this
occasion there was sort of fear upon
me of which | could not rid myself, try
as hard rs might.
All tho morning kept on this way,
and by noon felt that had put such a
distance between myself and the settle
ment that had no longer cause to fear
any one had left behind me.
As had learned from the landlord
that | should not be able to reach any
human habitation before nightfalI, had
taken my dinner along with me, and
now, feeling the need of it, l sat down
by the edge of u clear stream which
crossed the road, and commenced my
noontide meal. Only man who had
walked as had done that morning can
know the relish / had for the bread and
meat which had been provided for me,
and when the generous supply disap-
peared l almost wished there had been
more. The extra exertlon | had made,
and the hearty meal of which had par
taken, made me sleepy, and placing my
pack under my head, l closed my eyes,
thinking l would take few minutes
rest before gong onward.
| did not mean to sleep, yet in less
than five minutes | was unconscious of
all that was passing around me. How
long slept ! know not. II might have
been a few minutes, or it might have