Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-01-23

All lusldul ldlcI luc OOOI Was OpcucO
and the man who had piled the traveller
with questions entered the room. He
had no candle, but the bright light of
full moon came in through the
windows and lit up the room-
After listening an instant, he went
toward the bed, Perkins creeping after
him, and as he esssyed to draw the
curtains, the traveller sprsng upon him
like a tiger, throwing him over upon
the bed. a noiseless struggle followed,
at the close of which Tom Gowler was
lying gagged and bound with Perkins
standing quietly over him.
a sound Of feet on the stairs caused
him to hurry again to the door.
rs he done for?' asked the voice Of
Pap Gowler, at the door. in q loud
whisper.
Yes replied Perkins. who at once
realized his terrible peril. and the
necessity of assuming Tom Gowler's
character, If he would save his life.
If he's done for, jest hand out his
watch and belt, and while 1 take 'em
down stairs you tie him up in the bag,
an I'll be up or send Jed to help chuck
him into the river
So without a moments hesitation,
the traveller saw at once what was to
watch out to the old ruffian, and then,
when Pap Gowler's steps were heard
descending the stairs, he hastened back
to the bed and began searching for the
sack OF bag, which, having found, he
went to the bed, and dragging the bound
form of Tom Gowler to the floor, began
to draw the sack over him.
A shudder convulsed the Villains
frame, and his eyes glared in their hate
and fear at his captor.
Thomas Gowler,' said Perkins, in a
low voice. your days are numbered
ay, even your moments. One OF us
must die, and prefer 1t should be you.
Pray while you can, for you must die ,
While talking. Mr.. Perkins was
bdsily engaged in drawing the bag ever
his prisoner, and soon he was COM
pletely enveloped in it and the mouth
closed and tied. The prisoner was so
FIRMLY bound tina. he was unable to
move even a finger.
Mr.. Perkins had just finished his
work when Pap Gowler appeared at
the coor. Entering the chamber, he
went to the window toward the river
and swung the sash, which was on
hinges at one side, wide open, and
then drawing from under the bed a
| large piece OF iron, he fastened it to the
bag. and said:
Now come help toss him into the
river-how slow yer are, Tom
For an instant Perkins hesit ated /;
then he took firm hold of the bag, and
with old Gowler's help carried il to the
window and slung it cut into the river.
1t struck the water with an ominous
| splash and all was still.
Now, Tom, you go to the balm an
| take the strangers horse and ride him
most to the settlement, then let him
loose an they'll think Perkins was
killed in the woods. It'll never do to
keep that horse. cause folks kinder
suspects us now. an while yer out try
| an find Ben. l don't see what Keeps
| him.
The traveller could have told him,
but he did not, and Initiating Tom
| Gowler's voice, he said:
AN right, pap, I'll go now.'
He hurried out of the chamber and
down the stairs and cut of the side
door as fast as possible.
He found the barn a rough affair oi
logs, and bis horse stood near the door,
already saddled and bridled, evidently
left just as his master had rode him.
In order that he might be turned loose.
With a sigh of relief. Perkins sprang
on the back of the animal, and rode
carefully out of the clearing; once out
in the road he gave his horse the rein,
and fairly few along through the
woods, never halting until he reached
the settlement of M, and stopped
in front of the tavern just before mid.
night. Perkins reused the inmates Of
the house, bidding the landlord tC
alarm all the able-bodIed men about
the settlement. These, some ten or 6
dozen all tod. were soon gathered IL
the bar-rOom listening to the traveller:
story.
When Perkins had finished his recIta
brief council was held, and the result
was that half an hour later, seven o.
the hardest backwoodsmen, headed by
an old trapper and Perkins, filed silently
out of the settlement and rode toward
the Black Bear Tavern. ALI were
well-aImed and well-mouHted, ard Il
was not long ere they reached the plac,
where the road divided around tn,
stump. Here the party dismounted
and led by Perkins, they found the
body OF Ben Gowler. BY the light of &
dark lantern which Perkins produced
the settlers were enabled to identify
his features, and then piling brusf
over the body, they remounted anC
hurried on
At last they rode silently into til,
clearing, and as silently dismounting
approached the tavern. The trapper
Bill Wing, raped on the door, anC
called out in low, hoarse voice:
open the door, pap!'
rs that you, Tom? Have you founC
Ben?' asked the old man, as they heart
him unfastening the door.
Yes, hurry upl' replied the trapper
. in hoarse, low voice.
The door swung open. and befor
, Pap Gowler understood matters, b
found himself firmly held in the gras
, OF the trapper.
Quietly the party llled into the house
, and lighting couple of candles TIA
stood on the table, still i'll that sam
, fearful silence, held them up go tha
3 Pap Gowler might see Perkins.
, For an instant the old wretc
stared at the man whom he had SUI
, posed was lying dead in the bottom G
the river. and then sank slowly bac
q against the wall, muttering:
n Its a spook; l know tits, cause
q helped Tom throw him into the river
( NO. replied Perkins, you did nc
kill me as you thought. L bound an
e gagged your SON Tom, and you helpe
q me to throw him into the river
I The old wretch slipped down on I'll
|. floor, with a groan, which was echoe
Z by a wild cry from the two women, an
e an oath from the man who came int
the kitchen at that moment.
q That's the fellow / saw here T.
!. night said Perkins. He's one (
3 them; nab him.
= He hain't been roun' here more
SIX MONTHS said one of the settler
a but he's a mean cuss, and Betse
q Gewler's husband, too. so of cour
o he's one of 'em-'
? This speech was made at the close
a struggle that resulted in bindiI
q Dick Peters, o,d Gowler's son-in-lay
d and placing him beside his wife
father.
r During this performance, Mrs. Coz
a ler shrieked and swore until she W
" obliged TO desist from want of breat
tool tho