The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-11-26
A COUNTRY TAVERN.

The landlord was an elderly man, with
a face which bore tokens of having been
shaved some weeks before, and had a surly
look which was by no means attractive,
and his wife, at the moment cooking my
dinner, had, as I thought, a strange ex-
preston upon her countenance-a worn,
terrified look, as though she were con
Etantly afraid Of something.
Twice she seemed about to speak, but
closed her lips again as the man sauntered
toward the door. and at last I broke the
silence with the commonplace remark that
it was fire evening.
Think so. strangerf'' was all the an
sver received
But after awhile she drew nearer to me
and said in low whisper:
You don't know nothin about these
No h said. This is my first visit
to the west
You get out of EN- as fast as you can
then, :" she said. I daresn' say no more
only don't stay here longer'n you can
help
And she glided away from me in 4 ter
rifed manner, leaving me in an exceed
inely uncomfortable state of mind I cast
my eye over the homeless landscape with
q vague intention Of travelling on that
night but I was very weary, and certain
y my possessions could be no temptation
to crime.
Accordingly I walked in and requested
to be shown to my room. The landlord
nodded and turned to light a candle, and
in that moment the woman found time to
whisper in my ear:
Don't leave your window open +"
While was awaiting the movements
OF my host the door opened, and two stall
wart, i'll favored fellows marched IN. They
nodded to the landlord, and walking up
to the bar called for drink
picked up my knapsack and followed
my landlord in a moment more. and soon
found myself in n large, uncarpeted room,
with an immense feather bed perched
upon a tall, old fashioned bedstead, a rick
ETY. table with cracked ever and basin
upon it and one chair completing the fur
niture
The window looked at that the mo
ment I was left alone-Opened on a long,
low shed, up which any one could easily
climb who desired to obtain entrance, and
stood wide open.
I closed it at once, and seeing a Jagged
nail upon the floor I contrived to fasten it
so that any one without would at least
have some trouble in opening it, and hav-
ing bolted the door was about to retire
when I heard Il low murmur of voices in
the room below.
knelt down, and applying my ear to
an aperture in the uneven boards found
that I could catch most of the words that
We're uttered. The first startled me.
You We got your knife?"
The answer was, What the deuce do
you think Of my brains?''
What's the hour?''
Half past IL.
The two young men were speaking I
knew.
People are abed by that time mostly
We don't want to be interrupted =
And then their voices sank into lower
tone, and I heard no more. I felt certain
that my life was in danger, and that the
old woman had attempted to warn me out
of pity, probably for my youth
Escape would be much better than re-
sistance if I could oontrive to elude the
vigilance of my enemies. But that was
all but impossible. The shed was in sight
Of the barroom window, and the stairs de-
scended directly into the room
Suddenly a bright idea struck me- I
would open the window and conceal my
self beneath the feather bed. Ny enemies
would doubtless fancy that I had escaped, J
and so pursuing me or abandoning their
project would give me time to elude them.
Obedient to my new idea, I Immediately
tucked myself and my knapsack between !
the immense straw and feather beds and
lay there, with my head out, listening.
The hours dragged on slowly. The suf-
fering endured under that heavy weight
in that hot August night can never be
forgotten.
I heard a sudden movement below.
became confident that there We're others /
concerned besides those had seen already
Knocks came at the door below, voices I
and steps were heard. and soon i became /
aware that there was general stir and
departure.
I awaited a raid upon my apartment I
with a beating heart. but to my relief I /
soon heard the little band Of men moving /
away from the door, and gaining courage /
arose and peeped from my window.
About ten men, each with a bag upon /
bis shoulder, were hurrying away from
the house. Among them I recognized in /
the moonlight the landlord and the two /
persons who had entered the barrOom dur
ing my presence there.
As they might return rePentant Of their /
mercy, I went back to my position between !
the beds and there remained until dawn +
sometimes doing. sometimes starting /
awake, always suffering immense discom-
fort.
At last in the early morning heard a
rap at my door, and the woman voice /
called:
8 Breakfast, stranger -
descended to the room below and /
found a breakfast ready and only the host /
sss present.
In the corner were several large water /
melons, which I was sure had not been /
here on the previous night My land I
lady, whom I regarded as my preserver, I
saw me glance toward them, and as she 1
poured my coffee said:
They re fine ones, aren't they2' she /
said 1.-The boys all met here last night !
Tor a watermillion stealth It's considered /
p. nice frolic in these parts, and they left /
rs them. I'll cut one fur you. You did I
shet your window, I hope, stranger2'
:. Yes y 1 said, feeling that if she knew 4
all that had done 1 could not bear the I
nquiring glance she bent upon me- .. Yes /
Why did you tell me to do so2"
Because felt pity for you" said the /
woman My old man has bought here /
and don T like the Mace down But ]