Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1894-06-28
IN THE JURY ROOM.

We We're convinced, was ldISe, III" '4'V
problem to be solved was one not IN
usually presented in lawsuts-to find
out the truth by striking balance
between contradictory lies.
Being in for night of it and having
recained toward each other the good
temper We had lost in quarrellng over
the case, the next point was how 10
get through the time.
Somebody tell a story suggested
the. foreman. Mr.. Dopple, you're an
old settler and must have met with
some adventures in pioneer times that
would be worth telling
We'll, l have seen some queer
things, said Mr.. Dopple-Uncle Joe,
his neighbors called nina hale old
man of about 90. with face full of
good humor and good sense. Il have
seen some queer things, but am not
much at narrating them.
Never mind, Uncle Joe, We said,
you'll do it we'll enough
"Wel, boys, if you'll excuse mis-
takes. I'll tell YOU about case that
might have turned out deal more
serious than this one.
"Go on. was urged
This is how it was, began Uncle
Joe. clearing his vocal hatchway 10y
rolling an immense quid into one
cheek. When I'll made mp my mind
to come ont here and buy mother as
. ! called my wife, she made me belt
to carry my money in.
Then was the days before green
backs. and bank notes was no great
| shakes if they got too far from home.
/ So land buyers mostly carried what
they had in specie, which they COM
monty hid in belts buckled round
their bodies dodge the robbers
soon got up to, and the first thing they
did when they pot hold Of a chap was
I
to look for his money belt.
"Wcll, | kissed mother and bid her
goodby one morning and set out to
/ hunt a new home for us, carrying the
price of it in hard cash
Nothing worth mentioning hap
pened till one night stopped at a
cabin and asked for lodging
you can have it, was the answer
that is, providing you don't object to
sleeping double, for another stranger 5
here before YOU.
u didn't exactly like the idea, but
/ houses were scarce IN them parts, and
not caring to risk going farther and
faring worse | lit, and taking my sad
/ dlebags on my arm led my crttcr
round to the stable, the proprietor
showing the way. And when Old
Roam had been looked after We went
| into the house.
The other stranger was sitting by
| the fire and gave me sharp look as
| came forward
Good evening, said |, and be said
so too.
Neither Of us said much more till
after supper, which the settlers wife
brought in soon. The cooking wasn't
equal to mothers but hunger you
know, is good sass for any cookery.
The stranger, noticed, kept
watching me sharp. ! didn't fancy
/ his looks much, but after a spell be
made up to me quite friendly, and It
was always my way to meet that sort
Of thing half way He, too, was on
the lookout to buy, and We compared
notes on the subject till bed time.
/ Our host was one o them sort 0 chaps
| that listens a good deal without say
| ing much, and his wife looked as il
she daren't say much if .he would.
We paid our bills before going "a
bed. The other traveller said be was
going to start before day, but a. our
roads lay but a little way together |
concluded ! would not rise 50 soon for
/ the sake Of only that much company
Sunrise was early enough for me
Our sleeping room wa one end Of the
cabin partitioned off by itself
Its A long time since you and me
slept together, said the stranger, when
We was both ready 10 lay down.
80 it Is, said /, which SIDE do
Won take2
Front, said he, If It's all the
same to you.
All the zane, saId |, jumping in
The stranger followed, and don
know what be did, but ! soon fell
asleep. When l woke up, feeling chilly
the moon was shining bright through
the window. The clothes were turnec
over from the front side Of the bed
and there stood my bedfellow, leaning
/ over me with a big knife in one hand