The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-06-24
The MIDNIGHT ASSASSIN.
BY CAPTAIN JAMES MoNTFoRD.

SIN the spring of 1862 was wounded in
the arm, and obtained leave to return home
for few weeks.
"The wound was slight and month had
scarcely passed ere i was strong as ever,
and began to feel that uneasy sensation, l
can scarcely call it longing, which comes
upon soldier when far away from the
field where victories and defeats are falling
to his comrades whom he knows so well.
"Three weeks before my leave of absence
expired left home again and started for
the field
"When / arrived within thirty or forty
miles of the point where the command was
stationed, found that the track had been
torn up, and that we must remain at the
small station until the rails could again be
laid.
"While lettering about the little town n
chance occurred for the purchase of horse
at very moderate price, considering the
times.
81 struck a bargain with the owner, and
resolved to ride through the country to the
point where the troops were stationed.
"This would be more pleasant, as knew
young man, who was about TO enlist, in
tending to go by the train, which was now
at a standstill.
she was native of Phoneton, the town
where we were detained, and was perfectly
acquainted with the country surrounding it.
Immediately after purchasing the horse
/ hunted him up, and 1t was soon agreed
that we should ride across the country.
bright and early the following morning
he rode up to the little inn where l was
stopping, and in less than thirty minutes
we were cantering through the village street
In the direction of the camp.
at was a pleasant day; storm was i'm
pending, but not likely to fall until night.
81 never passed finer time on horse
back: but nothing interesting occurred, and
] wiki hasten on to the story.
CAS- night approached, and my compan-
ion offered no information in regard to our
distance from the camp, / began to consid-
er that, as we had ridden at good rate all
day, we must be near our destination.
""Well, Frank, said L, we are nearly at
the end of this journey, are We notY
II guess we are, Colonel, he replied.
Then you are not certain about it?'
thought was, he replied, in puz-
zled way, and looking about for land
marks.
"'Do you recollect where you are?
inquired, after short silence.
she admitted that he did not, and, al
though he declared he didn't know how
~ Il
realized that we must be seeking lodging
for the night without delay, for the storm
had gathered violence, and would soon dis
charge itself.
"'We must make inquiries at the first
house. l said, and urging the tired horses
onward We kept sharp lookout for some
habitation.
"But this was not met with when desired
We had ravaged the country, and great
many of the houses We passed were unten-
anted and dismantled.
"As il grew darker and darker, the pros
pect Of remaining outside at the mercy of
the storm began to cause some discomfort.
""There's house! shouted Frank al
last, and, following his eyes, saw light
a short distance back from the road.
ut was a small building, implanted, and
did not promise much in the way of enter
tainment. Nevertheless, any kind Of shell
ter is better than none in a storm, and We
code in through the open gate and dis.
mounted.
ave were saluted by the barking of dog.
from the back of the house, and before W,
had reached the door it was opened and
man appeared.
ave asked the way to our destination
and soon found that we had strayed man,
miles from the direct road.
You'll hardly git thar tonight sale
the man, in harsh accents and he did no
refuse lodgings for ourselves and horses
when 1t was requested.
ave accompanied him to the stable anC
saw our tired animals introduced to tn,
company of COW and pair of oxen, ther
followed our host back to the house.
al had taken strange dislike TO til,
man, and was not made more easy by hi
uncivil manners and cultural tones.
"The room into which he led us wa
already occupied by short, brown woman
the mans wife, and three very dirty chill
dren. The children were ordered off Il
bed by their mother. who, at her husband'
suggestion, placed bread, butter, and
plate of cold potatoes upon the table fo
our delectation.
IL had often eaten worse fare with tn,
relish which is given by sharp hunger, anC
did not despise the meal; my compan
ION was more dainty, and. while making
pretense of eating, fastened his eyes upoi
the master of the house.
1.-THE latter would have created suspicion
In O saint. He bore the exact description
of the ruffian in an old poem have read:
"A leau-faced writhen knave,