Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-01-12
A STRANGE AFFAIR


1921 One dark, rainy, disagreeable night
n mounted traveller, well mutIled up in a
great coat with its broad cape turned M
over hrs head like cowl, his chin and
lower part % his face buried in n large
bandeua handkerchief, and with a broad
black patch over his right eye. rode up to
the tavern and called for supper and lodg-
Ing. At the large fire burning in the chin
hey Of the barroom he sat and warmed and
dried himself while his meal was being
prepared, without removing any Of his gar
meDts not even SO much rs his hat, and
when the landlord at length announced
that his repasJ was ready he simply re
markell
II have n severe pain in my face. so you
must excuse my going to the table rs !
am"
lie ate his supper in silence, and showed
10 disposition for conversation, called for
4 strong glass of brandy and water, and
soon after asked to he conducted to his
room, adding that he was very much IA
tiEucd.
by the way" he said to the landlord,
who in person lighted him to his bedroom,
81 may rs well leave my pocEetbook and
watch in your possession till morning." mt
the same time handing those articles to
the host who took them with some reluc-
tgnce, saving:
IL reckon they'd he quito as safe here
with Yourself though III keep them for
you ii You wish mcto.'
you'll oblige me by doing so. " rcioiued
the stranger.
"Weu. then, said the innkeeper, 81 must
know how much money you've got here if
I'VE got 10 he responsible for it,"
Please open the pockrtb0ob, then, and
count for yourself" returned the stranger.
The host did 80 and said;
81 make il S2l1."
"Right." reioined the traveller, "an6
while I'm about it may rs well add this
purse, which contains iifty-one dollars in
Bpecie.'
The landlord also counted the coin, part
gold and part silver. said the amount was
right and went out bidding the other good
night.
About 2 o'clock in the morning neigh
bor living within a stones throw Of the
tavern, and who CHANGED to be up with q
ticl. child fanCied lie heard above the roar
of the storm, which had increased in vio-
fence, a wild Shrek followed by two
cries of Help, Murders"
II was rather a timid man, and was
much alarmed. He blew ont his light,
cautiously opened the door, looked out and
listened. The storm beat into his face and
hOwlcd around his dwelling, but he could
see nothing, not even "A light at the inn,
and he heard nothing more that sounded
like human voice. He shut the door and
fastened it, ard then woke up his wife and
told her all. She happened to be a woman
Of unusual nerve and courage, and after
putting a few questions replied with q
yawn:
con, Jim, it was only one of your fan
ries. You're always hearing something
that aobo6y else does Just thN}K how
na~r times you've hunted the house over
70. robbers since I've lived with you! Just
t2nd to Mary, viii YOU, and ln' me get a
httle sleep, Tor you know l didn't have any
last night"
Il know it wasn't any fancy, but a real
human cry" grumbled the man as he
walked away and allowed his drowsy
spouse to return to her dreams.
The dull, leaGen gray Of morning was
Just beginning to dispel the inky blackness
of the stormy night when the landlord of
the Waysde inn was aroused by series of
laundering knocks upon the outer door of
his habtation. He sprung ont OF bed,
hastily drew on his trousers and boots,
took his wastcoat in his hand ana hurried
down to his supposed customers. On open
tp(
r-itI, ro,,,rh loci-i,., ,oo, r,,1I r,,,e1o ~
'i,,,4 H. et,,n,. ,,-L;,h ~. ~ - i
,,aaI,, nJ,ata., ~ F,,,. NJ, t,S,.-' ''.'
nant;n,y s,I,sLad ,rith ,n,d ,vitb drnon'
tn,, Laad, va, hi+otad NJ ths noaras+ ,,,,It
ma s,.,ad W., +i,a; looie. tl,t
,ao,, ,idIa,, CO.,, ond Co.,. -'''''
N1id - ,1'o,ntod travalor s+o,, ~ +his -,
tact -, ,I,,,lt, iro,;od o, f ,hn
,,,o s+r.,n,,o,,
ava ;, t.',s Tho o,s,,or
aye bo SIN hare51
.IIai.i5
"v,iIi ,.,,, ,,oso,iI,, H., ,,,o,,ouoosu
IN as , ;, .o 81 Pt ,tl
to,t 1;d,,, ,,a+ 90 COO ol, - i7
toau "A hn,1ot ~, ,1,oaa.,i,'I Mil. -
'ss,,;.,tiI, |e 81 t,,, ,Hisd .il
tbat tbe fr,veIa, IoJ eaid ar,d Gan,, H.,
rIndinc, tha a,rair of tba In|rav
~ t6iHI, ,"l5~'. oot Kin ti,oo,, so;5
,,a o,,,,- ~, I,ad s,,dr,1..d tI,o I,n,l,nd
,nrnine, IN Ii. co,a,lanio,,
,.Tt fool,g lil,n IL }, WINS tho ,.,,lr. .o,,,,
,'- Ill. - -. ell, F'tl