Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-08-23
A BAD LOCATION.

A BAD IOCAIlUN.
The landlord was an elderly man, with
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 l thought a strange express
sion upon her countenance-a worn, terri
fled look, as though she We're constantly
afraid of something.
Twice she seemed about to speak, but
closed her lips again as the man sauntered
toward the door, and at last broke the
silence with the commonplace remark that
1t was a fine evening.
"Think so, Stranger" was all the an
swer received.
But after awhile she drew nearer to me
and said in low whisper:
"You don't know nothin about these
parts, do your"
"No," said "This is my first visit to
the west"
"You get out of 'em as fast as you can,
then" she said. 81 daresn't say no more,
only don stay here longer'n you can help. y
And she glided away from me in terri
fed manner, leaving me in an exceedingly
uncomfortable state If mind. / cast my
eye over the homeless landscape with a
vague intention of travelling on that night,
but was very weary, and certainly my
possessions could be no temptation to
crime.
Accordingly 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 tC
whisper in my ear:
"Don't leave your window open"
While was awaiting the movements Of
my host the door opened, and two stalwart
ill favored fellows marched in. They
nodded to the landlord, and walking up tt
the bar called for drink.
picked up my knapsack and followed
my landlord in a moment more, and sooI
found myself in a large, unexpected room
with an immense feather bed perched upon
a tall. old fashioned bedstead, rickety
table with cracked ever and basin upon
it and one chair completing the furniture
The window looked at that tho mo
ment was left alone-opened on 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 contriyed to fasten il
so that any one without would at least
have some trouble in opening it, and hay
ing bolted the door was about to retire
when heard low murlnur of voices ii
the room below.
/ knelt down, and applying my ear tc
an aperture in the uneven boards found
that could catch most of the words tina,
were uttered. The first startled me-.
"You've got your knife?'
The answer was, "What the deuce dl
you think of my brains?"
whats the hour?"
"Half past IL"
The two young men were speaking,
knew.
"People are abed 10y that time mostly
We don't want to be interrupted"
And then their voices sank into lower
tone, and heard no more. 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
sistanoe if could contrive to elude tho
vigilance of my enemies but that was
all but impossible. The shed was in sight
of the barroom window, and the stairs de
seconded directly into the ROOM
Suddenly bright idea struck me.
would open the window and conceal myself
beneath the feather bed. My enemies
would doubtless fancy that had escaped
and so pursuing me or abandoning theil
project would give me time to elude them
Obedient to my new idea, Immediately
tucked myself and my knapsaok between
| the immense straw and feather beds ant
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 for
J gotten.
/ heard sudden movement below.
became confident that there were Others
concerned besides those I had seen already
Knocks came at the door below, voices and
steps were heard, and soon became aware
! that there was general stir and depar
ture.
l awaited raid upon my apartment
with beating heart but to my relief
soon heard the little band Of men moving
away from tho door, and gaining courage
arose and peeped from my window.
About ten men, each with bag upor
his shoulder, were hurrying away from the
house. Among them l recognized in the
moonlight the landlord and the two per.
sons who had entered the barroom during
my presence there.
AS they might return repentant of their
mercy, went back to my position be-
tween the beds and there remained until
dawn, sometimes doing, sometimes start
ing awake, always suffering immense dis.
comfort.
At last in the early morning I heard a
rap at my door, and the woman's voice
called:
Breakfast, stranger"
descended to the room below and found
breakfast ready and only the hostess pres
ent.
In the corner were several large water.
melons, which was sure had not been
there on the previous night. My landlady,
whom regarded as my preserver, saw me
glance toward them, and as she poured my
coffee said:
They're fine ones, aren't theyp The
boys all met here last night for water.
million stealth. It's considered nice
frolic in these parts, and they left us them.
I'll cut one fur you. You did shet your
window, hope, stranger9'
Yes" said, feeling that If she knew
all that had done could not bear the in
quiring glance she bent upon me. eyes.
Why did you tell me to do SOP"
Because l felt pity for you," said the
woman. My old man has bought here
and don't like the place run down. But
fever and ague is powerful bad hereabout,
and night air is almost sure to give 1t ia
you. shake the heft of the time. But
the old man saws ruin the nj, storn I,v talliu