The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-11-13
Select Story.
A PEDDLER'S STORY.

From the Boston Budget.
A cold winters night found stage load
of us gathered about the warm fire of a
tavern barroom in New England village.
Shortly after we arrived peddler drove
up, and ordered that his horse should be
stabbed for the night. After we Lad eaten
supper we repaired to the barroom, and as
soon as the ice was broken the conversation
flowed freely. Several anecdotes had been
related, and finally the peddler was asked
to give us story, as men of his profession
were generally full of adventure and anec-
dote. He was short, thickset man, some
where about forty years of age, and gave
evidence of great physical strength. He
gave his name as Lemuel Viney, and his
home was in Dover, n. Fl,
swell, gentlemen" he commenced,
knocking the ashes from his pipe and put
ting it in his pocket, suppose l tell you of
about the last thing of any consequence
that happened to me. You see | am now
right from the far west, and on my way
home for winter quarters. 1t was about
two months ago, one pleasant evening, that
1 pulled up at the door of small inn in a
small village in Hancock county, Ind. l
said twas pleasant; l meant twas warm,
but it was cloudy and likely to be very dark
1 went in and called for supper, and had
my horse taken care of, and after 1 had
eaten 1 sat down in the barroom. 1t be-
gan to rain about o'clock, and for while
it poured down hard, and it was very dark
outdoors.
"Now, wanted to be in Jackson early
the next morning, for 1 expected load of
goods there for me, which meant to dis
pose of on my way home. The moon
would rise about midnight, and knew that
if it did not rain l could get along very
comfortably through the mud after that.
So I asked the landlord if he would not
see that my horse was fed about midnight,
as 1 wished to be off before 2 He ex-
pressed some surprise at this, and asked me
why | did not stop for breakfast. told
him that had sold my last load about all
out, and that new lot of goods was waiting
for me at Jackson, and | wanted to be there
for them before the express agent left in
the morning. There were a number of
people about while I told this, but l took
little notice of them, one man only arrest
ing my attention. l had in my possession
small package of placards which I was to
deliver to the sheriff at jackson, and they
were notice for the detection of a notorious
robber named Dick Hardhead These
bills gave description of his person, and
the man before me answered very well to
it. In fact, it was perfect. He was tai, /,
well formed man, rather slight in frame,
and had the appearance Of gentleman,
save that his face bore those hard, cruel
marks which an observing man cannot mis-
take for anything but the index of vii
lainous disposition,
"When I went up to my chamber /
asked the landlord who that man was, de-
scribing the suspicious individual. He
said he did not know him. He had come
there that afternoon, and intended to leave
some time during the next day. The host
asked me why l wished to know, and |
simply told him that the mans countenance
was familiar, and l wished to know if 1
had ever been acquainted with him. l re-
solved not to let the landlord into the secret,
but to hurry on to jackson, and there give
information to the sheriff, and perhaps he
might reach the inn before the villain left,
for had no doubts with regard to his
identity.
II had an alarm watch, and having set
it to give the alarm at o'clock, went to
sleep l was aroused at the proper time,
and Immediately got up and dressed my:
self. When reached the yard ! found
the clouds all passed away, and the moon
was shining brightly. The hostler was
easily aroused, and by 2 o'clock was on
the road. The mud was deep, and my
horse could not travel very fast, yet it struck
me that the beast made more work than
there was any need of, for the cart was
nearly empty, my whole stock consisting Of
about half dozen tin pans and lot Of
loose rags,
"However, on we went, and in the course
of half an hour l was clear of the village,
and at short distance ahead lay large
track of forest, mostly of green pines. The
road led directly through this wood, and
as near as could remember, the distance
was not far from twelve miles. The moon
was in the east, and as this road ran nearly
west should have light enough. l had
entered the wood and had gone, perhaps
half a mile, when my wagon wheels settled
with bump and jerk, into a deep hole
l uttered an exclamation of astonishment
but that was not ALL | heard another ex
clamation from another source
.sWhat could it be? I looked quickly
around. but could see nothing, and yet
knew that the sound | had heard was very
close to me. As the hind wheels came W
felt something besides the jerk of the
hole. heard something roll or tumbl,
| from one side to the other of my wagon
and could also feel the jar occasioned by
the movement 1t was simplya man in my
cart knew this on the instant, You
may have noticed my cart as came up this
evening. The main part of it opens be
hind, and there is room enough within fol
quite party, providing they'd stow them
selves close enough. OF course l felt puz
zled. At last | wondered if some pool
fellow had not taken this method to obtair
a ride. But l soon gave this up, for
knew that any decent man would have
asked me for ride and taken it comfort
ably. My next idea was that somebod,
had got in there to sleep. But this passet
away as quickly as it had come, for no maj
would have broken into my cart for tha
purpose. And that thought, gentlemen
opened my eyes. Whoever was in Their
j bad broken in. Ma~s
n