The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-12-31


When my grandfather Davis, who was
grandfather OIL my .lothers side, mar
rfed aud set up for himself, he took a
small farm in what is now Bartholo-
s1new county, Indiana. In his time In
diana was a territory, and was consid-
-ared in the Ear West" A state high-
way, running from Indianapolis to
Jesfersonville, passed his humble log
cabin, and for many years the county
bad but few settlers, and his nearest
leishbor was three miles away. Mr..
Davis had lived on the place about two
'tand, when, one Nc & Years eve, as he
stood at his door, man who was on
foot and without burden Of any Sort
turned IN from the highway and said:
Good evening, Mr.. Davis notice
many changes since / passed your
clearing, six months ago."
My grandfather could not remember
that he had ever seen the man before.
HE was a short man, being no more
rtilan live feet high, and though lnutfied
up rs though to conceal his face, his
voice sounded like that of very old
Hnan- There was scarcely a night in
which some stranger did not call at the
cabin for lodgings, and, though failing
70 remember him as a guest, Mr.. Davis
decided that the little old man had at
'soFne time enjoyed his hospitality. He
replied to his salutation, and after
some general talk. asked if he intend
ed to stop for the night.
Nc, [ cannot stop tonight replied
the stranger. 81 turned aside to give
you warning, and you will do we'll to
, heed my words. Tomorrow evening
two men will come along from the
south and ask fer lodgings. They will
tell you that they are land lockers, but
syou must not trust them. They are
gObbers, and mean you evil. If you let
them mIto your house do not close your,
-eyes In sleep"
ABnt who are you, and how do you
know what's to happen?'' asked my
grandfather.
1@Never you mind who I am, or how
I come by my informa ton" replied the
stranger. II have given you warning,
and you must look out That's ALL
goodnight"
With that he started off up the road
Tn the direction Of Indianapolis, and
was soon out of sight in the darkness
lily grandfather gaZed after him and
wondered If he was not an escaped lu-
0atic, and he was quiet for such a
length of time that his wife came out
TO see what was the trouble. They
talked the matter over again that even
ting, and the conclusion reached was
that the little old man had slipped at
ails bottle too often and was in a mood
for Joking. His warning 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 he accommodated for the
might. Before he had said a word in
reply they explained that they were
tand-lookers from Eastern Ohio. Each
carried rifle and a bundle Of clothes,
aud there was nothing suspicious in
their looks or talk. While the words of
vtt.e little ola man were ringing in his
ears Mr.. Davis made the strangers
welcome, and his wife prepared sup
tper for them. 5
The cabin was divided into two
rooms, and the one bed stood in the
sfgont room There was no door to the
rude partition dividing this room
from the kitchen, but a sheet was
khung UP as a substitute. There was q
fireplace in each room, ard at bed
time the strangers We're given a .'shake
Gown" IN front of one in the kitchen.
4As soon as husband and wife were
alone they agreed that the strangers.
Well appearing as they were, had evil
designs, and that my grandfather
must remain awake to watch them.
We took his place in the corner of the
'Eoom, rifle in hand, while my grand
ntother threw herself on the bed, and
tie time dragged slowly along until
UaMnight, without a move on the part
of the guests. Then they were heard
stirring about, and fifteen minutes lat
&c the sheet at the door was carefully
drawn aside and one of them Deered
into the front room The fire was low
and any grandfather was in 4 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 at his heels. Both had their
titles in hand, and they started on tip
Toe across the floor. handling their
weapons in such a way as to leave no
Doubt Of their mnrderous intentions.
Without q word of warning, my grand
father leveled his rifle at the nearest
man and fired. There was a scream. q
shout and a fall, followed by the rush
.Of feet. The man fled on had been
1itled, and his companion dashed into
the kitchen and out OF doors as fast as
he could go. The identity Of the dead
e1lan was never discovered In the
packs left in the kitchen were several
articles, evidently stOsen from the hous-
Is OF settlers, with two silver watches,
which had probably been taken from
travellers on the Highway. The rifle of
tie dead man was a fine weapon, and
In his pockets was al SUN of money
amounting to over $780, Ny grand
father. therefore, made a pretty good
ttiIng out of it, altogether. and there
was no coroner to bother about nm In
quest. With the help of his nearest
nefghbor he buried the dead man on
Lis own land, and there was tile end
.of it.
Three years later. having exchanged
farms, Mr.. Davis removed to the 2colln-
.sty of Lawrence. The cabin on this
sfarrr s.,.,s WHY y j hundred feet 81 tie
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