The Bessemer indicator., 1894-07-21
A DROvER's ESCAPE.

Many years ago, before the era of
railroads, and when hignwaymen
nboundcd along the great Southern
route from Kentucky to New Orleans,
noted Kentucky drover. who had
boen TO the lower country" with
large drove of horses, which he had
sold for cash, was ovcrtaken by night,
on his return, near Springfield. In the
county of Robertson. Tennessee Ho
remembered that little dist ince ahead
was q quiet inn he had never stopped
at, and he determined to sp,nd the
night there.
As he rode up to the house, the land
lord received his horse and led him
away to the stable, while he invited
the drovcr to enter the sitting room.
Here he found two young men, one
Of whom, from his resemblance to the
landlord, he recognized as his son; the
other, somewhat older, from his man
ners, appeared also to belong to the
family. Immediately after supper the
son mounted horse, and stating that
he was going to Springfield to stay all
hight, rode of The Kentuckian, hav-
Ing looked after the comfort of Ills
horse, requested the landlord to show
him to his room.
As tho traveller slipped on his gar
ments, he felt for the leathern belt
about his waist, to secure that 1t was
secure. This contained bis gold. while
his paper money was In large wallet
carried, In a pocket made for the pyr-
bose, In the inside Of his vest De-
posting these articles beneath the Pill
low, he extfnguished the light. and
threw himself upon the bed, and soon
fell asleep.
How lonx he had been In this state
Of forgetfulness he could not tell. when
he was aroused to wakefuln IS by the
sound of some person endeavoring to
open the window near the head OF his
bed.
Startled by this suspicious appear
hnce of things, the drover cached to-
ward tho chair on which he had thrown
his clothes for Ills weapons, when, to
bis dismay. he remembered that on
his arrival, when preparing to wash
of the dust of his Journey he had laid
them aside within the bar.
Scarcely conscious Of what he was
doing. the defenseless droyer slipped
from the foot Of the bed and hid him
self in tho darkness behind O lot of
clothing suspended from tho walls Of
the house and watched the man. who
was now slowly and cautiously enter
Ing the room. lie even fancied he could
defect the reflection Of the dim light
upon an appraised knife. as the man
approached the bed. But great was
hs relief when, instead of an attempt
at murder, the intruder carelessly shuf
fled OF his clothes, and, throwing him
self into the bed the drover had just
vacated, was soon buried In deep
slumber.
Not knowing what to make Of this
strange affair, the drover determined
to dress himself, call up the landlord,
and have this singular intrusion ex-
planned. He had reached his clothes,
hnd slipped on bis trousers. and was
moving toward the door when steps
were heard cautiously crossing the out
er room. Once more he sought the
shelter Of the dresses, which complete
ly screened his person, and awaited the
entrance of the persons, whoever they
might be- Presently the door Of the
room was silently opened, and two men
made their appearance. 1t was not
so dark but that the drover could read
lily distinguish them to be the innkeepcr
and the man he had seen nt the supper
table.
step lightly. tell you," whispered
the landlord, "or you'll wake him up
"Wake-!" replied the other. with
an oath. "a man that snores like that,
! reckon. amt easily awakened. Yer
scared, old manv'
"Scaredr' replied tho first speaker.
mo man ever told John Garner before
he was scared! Here-givc me the
knife! You secure the money-it's un-
der the pillow-I saw him put 1t there
and III do the rest!'
The old man was In advance, and
as he stood between the window and
the drover. the latter could see his
form bent over the bed. while his hand
seemed to be searching beneath the pill
low.
let and here's the belt. My God, how
heavy 1t is!' and he passed the money
to his companion, before the other had
yet reached theb edside.
The old man then put his hand to his
bosom, and the trembling drover saw
him draw forth the long blade the
other had given him. For an instant
the murderous weapon WAS poised
over his head, and then descended upon
the person Of the poor wretch in the
bed A half stifed groan few gasp
ing sobs escaped the dying man. con-
vulsive tremor Of the bedclothes, md
NIL was quiet.
The murderer paused In his bloody
work for an Instant, us II to satisfy
himself that life was extinct and
then, with tiendish delIberation. drew
down the coverlet, and, to make all
sure passed the knife from ear to ear
across the throat of the victim. Then
the william quickly moved from the
room.
AS soon as the sound of his footsteps
had died in the distance the horror
stricken drover escaped through the
window and ran with NIL his speed to
the neighboring village. where, arous-
ing the people of the hotel, he told his
fearful story. A small crowd was
enough of the facts had been gathered
they accompanied him to the scene of
the foul murder
All about the house was still but on
approaching the stable light was dis
covered within; and moving noiseless-
ly to the door, and peering through
the cracks, the two murderers were
found in the act of digging n grave be-
meath the flooring. A rush was made
upon them. and they were arrested.
At the sight of the drover. who was
the first to confront the guilty wretches
the landlord uttered shriek Of terror,
and fell to the ground, while his accom-
plice, pale rs corpse, gaEed upon him
with alright, not doubling 1t was the
ghost Of the murdered man who stood
before him.
Tho party proceeded to the house,
dragging the two murderers along with
them. The family was by this time
alarmed. and the wife and daughter
of the landlord, together with the ser.
wants of tho house, ignorant Of the
crime that just been enacted so near
them, inquired into the cause Of the
disturbance.
Lights were procured, and, stin keep
Ing the prisoners with them, the people
entered the room whore lay the BODY