Connecticut western news., 1884-08-13
A NIGHTS ADVENTURE.

A 1N1O 1lb lIlN V
 stAh, sir, I see you're admiring my fowersl We'll, they are pretty-that they are-though doubt as some would call the marigolds and carnations com- mon and old-fashioned. You don't see many of 'em now in your fine new-fan- gled gardens, do you? It's pretty lit tie place this, ain't it, sir.P And it's my own, too-my very own-and will go to my grandson after me. He's good lad, he .is-it's him as looks after the garden. Mighty fond of flowers he is, and rarely proud he'll be, know, when
 hears as a fine town gentleman has taken notice of 'emi An, was fond of gardening, too, in my time But I'm getting an old man now-eighty-five I am come Christmas-andI can't expect to be spared much longer, though I'm hale and hearty yet, thank heaven An, times have altered, sir, since my young days For the better, you say? We'll, things are grander now than they were then, but somehow I seem to like the old times best, perhaps because I was young and strong in 'em. And talking of old times reminds me of something that once happened to me. Like to hear it, sir We'll, so you shall, and welcome, if you don't mind wasting an hour or so with an old chap like me. Sit down, then, on that bench and make yourself comfortable.
 'You've been to Chelmsford per- -haps l? Then maybe you know the 'Saracen's Headp Well, close to where that now stands there used to be an old inn called the Swan A queer old place it was to be sure. with it's case ment windows and overhanging gables. I was living at Ralphan-it's nigh upon sixty years ago-a farmer I was, and had been married only short time to 8 dear little wife as I loved we'll and true till she died, poor lass l
 "One cold December day I started for Braintree, to look at some stock as I thought of buying. As it was two days journey, I meant to stop at Chelmsford for the night, and go on early the next day. didn't leave home till about 2, and I had weary road to travel, so that the dark ness came on before reached the gib- bet on the edge of the common; and I 7 can tell you my flesh crawled, as the saying is. when I galloped past at full speed. It was bleak cold night, and the road was bad. so that it was late before rode into Chelmsford.
 '1 put up at the 'Swan'-that being . the first Inn I came to-and was stand ing watching the hostler rubbing down my good old mare-for always at tended to that first thing-when the landlord came slowly out to me; he was short, sharp faced man, with great black eyes that had an uneasy sort of look in 'em. told him I'd had long ride and was glad enough to get safe into his yard-for I'd gold about me and we'd heard horrible tales of the rob- berries and murders on the Kings high way. We'll, he showed me into long low room-the kitchen it was-with brick floor and bright fire burning.
 "'There'sa noisy lot in the parlor, sir,' said he; you'll be quiet and cosy here, for maybe you're tired and chilly after your ride in the wind.
 .iI ordered 8 steak and some wine, and, as ate my supper, I thought to myself that I couldn't we'll have chosen & better place than the Swan to stop at. After I had finished I called for pipes and grog and sat by the fire with the landlord, but Imight as well have been alone for he never spoke a word, but sat staring into the fire with a wicked look in his eyes that I didn't like, though didn't take much notice of it then. An, I know now what his thoughts were as he gazed moodily into the glowing coals. He was thinking of the disgrace brought upon his name by his only son, and wondering where the money was to come from which must be procured somehow if his boy was to be saved from ruin. And then no doubt he planned. to murder me-ah, it's all true, sir-Tve got his confession by me now-and bury me down by the river. side, in the meadow behind the stable. Then he meant to turn my mare out be- fore dawn so that the servants might think had left early; and then, you see, when it was found, people would think something had happened to me on the road to Braintree. We'll, my companion reused himself after time and began asking me what I thought of the country, if had ridden far, whether I had been advised to put up at the Swan, and such like questions. I answered them freely enough, never supposing that he asked them for any other reason than just to ksep up the conversation. asksd hiu