The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-12-29

grandfather OH my ,lothers side, mar
ried and set up for himself, he took q
small farm in What is now Bartholo-
NEW county. Indiana. In his time IN
diana was a territory. and was consid-
cred in the 'I1ar Vest" state high
way, running from Indianapolis to
Jeffersonville, passed his humble log
cabin, and for many years the comfy
ncighbor was three miles away. Mr..
Davis had lived on the place about two
years, and cleared up a good bit OF
land. when, one Ne Years eve, as he
stood at his door, man who was on
foot and without Il burden of any sort,
turned i'll from tie highway and said:
Good evening, Mr. Davis. | notice
many changes since .passed your
clearing, six months ago"
My grandfather oould not remember
that he had ever seen the man before.
He was a short man. being no more
than five feet high, and though muff1ed
up as though to conceal his face, his
voice sounded like that of Il very old
man. There was scarcely night III
which some stranger did not call at the
cabin for lodgings. and, though failing
to remember him as a guest. Mr.. Davis
decided that the little old man had at
some time enjoyed his hospitality. He
replied to his salutation, and, after
some general talk. asked if he intend
ed to stop for the night.
NO. | cannot stop tonight" replied
the stranger. Il turned aside to give
YOU warning. and yoU will do we'll to
heed my words. To-morrGW evening
two men will come along from the
south and ask for lodgings. They will
tell you that they are land-lookers, but
YOU must not trust them. They are
robbers, and mean YOU evil IT you let
them into your house do not close your
eyes in sleep"
s'But who are you, and how do you
know what's to happen?' asked my
grandfather.
''Neyer YOU mind who / am, or how
| come by my information" replied the
stranger. Il have given you warning,
and YOU must look out. That's all
goodnight
With that he started off up the road
in the direction of Indianapolis. and
was soon out of sight in the darkness
v
wondered if he was not an escaped lu
matte. and he was quiet for such
length of time that his wife came out
to see what was the trouble. They
talked the matter over again that even
ing. and the conclusion reached was
that the little old man had slipped at
his bottle too often and was in mood
for Joking. His warming fingered,
however. and the next day, half an
hour before sunset. my grandfather
was not greatly surprised When two
men turned in from the road and
asked to Re accommodated for the
night Before he had said a word in
reply they explained that they were
land lockers from Eastern OHIO. Each
carried Il rifle and bundle of clothes,
and there was nothing suspicious in
their looks or talk. While the words of
the little old man were ringing in his
ears Mr. Davis made the strangers
welcome. and his wife prepared sup
per for them.
The cabin was divided into two
rooms and the one bed stood in the
front room. There was nc door to the
rude partition dividing this room
from the kitchen. but a sheet was
hung up as substitute. There was 4
fireplace in each roohl, and at bed
time the strangers were given a shake
down in front of one in the kitchen.
As soon as husband and wife We're
alone they agreed that the strangers.
we'll appearing as they We're. had evil
designs, and that my grandfather
must remain awake to Watch them.
lie took his place in the corner of tie
room, rifle in hand While my grand
mother threw herself on the bed. and
the time dragged slowly along until
midnight without move on the part
of the guests. Then they were heard
stirring about. and fifteen minutes lat
er the sheet N the door was carefully
drawn aside and one of them neered
into the front room. The fire was low,
aud my grandfather was in n dark
corner The fellow could see the bed.
and believing that both husband and
wife were there and sound asleep, he
entered the room and his companion
followed ut his heels. Both had their
rifles in hand. and they started on tip
toe across the floor. handling their
weapons in such Il way as to leave no
doubt of their nurderous intentions.
Without word of warning, my grand
father leyeled his rifle at the nearest
man ard fired There was q scream,
shout and a fall followed by the rush
of feet The man fled on had been
Killed. and his companion dashed into
the kitchen and out of doors as fast as
lie could go The identity of the dead
man WAS never discovered. In tho
hacks left in the kitchen were several
articles. evidently st0,en from the hcIS-