Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-02-20

it's turned out so, but the off leaders quite
give out an can't 60 no turder tonight
Bpt the e n'leman as keeps this house is
friend o'mjne as IL give you as good sup
per an nights lodgin' as you'll tnd atwixt
this place an the next.
Clara looked frightened at this an
pouncement. The house was even meaner
and ruder in ~pearance than those they
had already pa sed. The last two passen-
gers acquiesed readily IN tue drivers
proposal to stop over night; but the gen
tleman whose civility had already won
Clara's confidence, and to whom she now
looked appealingly, demonstrated vigor-
ously. He even got out and Inspected the
disabled al imal for himself
!" You see how it is" said the driver,
touching the horses foreleg with his whip,
whereupon the brute promptly went lame
like a circus~horse at the riDg-master's
signal.
5 eng there was no alternative, the
gentleman a-sis ed Clara to alight and all
were soon inside the rude but spa iors
cabin, whose inmates, consisting Of the
propr etor, his wife and two strappiDg sons,
gave the CUES rough but hearty well
come.
Af.er supper which did not wholly fail
to justify the drivers commendstion the
gentlemanly passenger took it upon him to
bic apartment, to which she soon retired.
After listening for awhileto hat struck
up between tn g driver and the host, the
| the gentleman asked to be shown to his own
quarters, which ne found to be small
room in the garrett. The door was without
| fastening, as, indeed, were all those De-
| longing to the house, not excepting the
| outer.
Leaving the greasy lamp burning which
| had been left upon the window ledge, he
| threw himself on the be without undress"
| ing. For a time he felt no inclination to
sleep; but the fatigue of the days journey
| brought drowsness at last, and be fell into
! a slum Der from which be was awakened
bv sound like q suppressed shrek.
At first he fancied it was dream; but
his next thought-and it came like fash
was of the young lady. Nor were his
fears abated by the sound of low,m uttered
voices IN the di ton of her chamber.
He spraDg from the bed and caught up
the lamp. which gave it's last flicker as he
did so. Placing it saside, he hurried quick
~ but noiseiessly down the laCder which
led to the floor below. A few hssty steps
brought him TO Clara's door, which stood
arti ally sjar. Through the openings sight
met him which chilled and then fred his
blood. Clara Winthrop stood in her night
dress between the two Unlocking passen-
gers, each Of whom grasped an arm.
must have our money, an jewels, an if
you squeak again, this here's what II settle
you" pointing pistol at her head
With sill gle found our gentleman was
in striking distance, and with two heavy
blows, with a rapidity and skill that did
amp e credit to his boxing>master, he
stretched the two ruffians sprawling on the
floor Tben snatching up the pistol which
one of them had dropped, be threateaed to
IN at the fl rst man that moved,
Clara stood pale and trem billing, but did
not faint. Wome seldom do till all dan
ger is over, and the situation here was
still critical. If the driver, the host, and
his sons, rs seemed likely enough, were in
league with the 70 bers, the latter would
soon be reinforced and resistance be hopes
less.
1t was but 8 moment, indeed, till the
four other male Inmates of the house, with
the driver at their head, burst into the
room.
Hello" shouted the iatter-"Whs's
the two been up p pointing to the
covering pair on the floor, who had not
dared t. bu ge for f3sr of the pistol
There was an honest ring in the mans
voice, which at once dispelled suspicion
True, he had play ed eff II little tri r the
benef Ill If his friends house, hut beyond
that be had intended nothing wrong.
A word expl aimed all and with the help
of the new corners the Williams were Speedl-
~ secured.
Clara and her new acquaintance parted
in the morning at the next stopping place
She would have liked to ask the gentleman
his name, but somehow felt de!icacy in
doing so, as he had neither asked hers or
Sc med in lined to disclose his own. To
her earnest thanks he only answered:
Amy gentleman would have done as
much.''
A few days later public discussion was
to take place between Mr.. Winthrop and
his opponent. Everybody attended; the
ladies included. OF C urse Clara W as there,
for sh- not only felt deep interest in her
fathers success, lut espec ally desired to
see that hateful Leavitt Hayward get his
due. The arrangement was that Mr.. Hay
ward should speak first. When that gen
tleman stepped forward and ma his
opening bow, Clara gave q start of su prise,
and then hlushe1 crimson. PenciIiDg a
W urried lines, she had them carried to
her father, who sat waiting his turn to
speak.
Lesv tt Hayward's speech was a bold
aud ;nanly utterance Of his views, with OF
a word which even Clara could cehstrue
as disparaging to her father.
When Mr. Winth rop- arose his words
were a great surprise to all.
Il tru my friends will pardon me" he
said If beg permission to withdraw from
this contest and solicit their support for
the gentleman who has just conc uded.
There is no great principle at stake, and,
affair so many wears of sarVipa I NAV we'll