Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1900-09-28
JAYHAWKERS.
How n Traveller Fell Into Their
Clutches and the Desperate Ef-
fort He Made For His Life. .,


Many years since took fancy t
travel far beyond the region of rail
roads ana steamboats, into one Of tn
new territories Of the southwest. NJ,
object was to see what could be don,
on large scale In the way of trade.
II was toward the close of u fin,
spring day that | rode up to the grea
barnlike tavern of one of those sprcat
out, pine board towns of the far Yves
which grow up NJ rapidly In the patti
OF emigration, a large group OF rude
looking men stood on the steps ant
seemed to be carefully crltlcisIng IN,
and comparing notes as dlsmounted
about me, except the generally smar
and "natty" appearance of myself ant
animal. The latter was Il splendlt
roadster that | had purchased In st
Louis, In fine condition, and with III
action that would excite the ndmlra
tlon OF any horse fancler. was habit
I'd In new suit, surmounted by q
slouched hat, and completed by great
top boots. My saddle and bride were
half military In their shape and trim
mlngs, and | had valise and blanket
roll strapped on behind. ON the
whole, | think almost any observer
would have set me down for some
thing more than mere private citi
zen travelling Oh his own business.
| left my horse In care of the first
man whom | found willing to take
him and, ordering my supper. walked
about the uninvlting barroom and
finally took IA seat and began to read
n pamphlet that I had In my pocket
While ! was thus engaged great
burly fellow came and stood I'm the
doorway and deliberately stared at me.
Good evening. SIR" said. 81 should
like to make n few inquiries, II you
please, about the people here and
through the country, and
mot Of me, you wontr' was his
rude reJolnder, and he was gone before
l could ask an explanation.
! was Il little nettled Mt such bOorish.
ness, still rather amused than annoy.
cd. should probably have thought
kind Of treatment that | shortly ex-
perienced. A shock headed girl called
me out to supper. and, finding table
abundantly spread with the substan-
tals of life, was appeasing my hun
ger vigorously when n wild, w0lflsh
face was thrust inside the door, and
two staring eyes surveyed me closely.
whats wantedT asked, rather
hritated by the repetition OF such an
attention. There was no answer, the
head was withdrawn, and within the
same minute | had the pleasure OF see
ing two more faces looking In upon me
through one OF the windows.
"What do those people meanT !
asked Of the girl who waited on me.
She shook her head, but there was
an expression on her face that In.
formed me that she did know and
that she pitled me. | was beginning
to feel decidedly uncomfortable; my
appetite was spoiled before 1t was half
appcascd. and | resolved on the spot
to continue my Journey that night
rather than remain In such an Inhos-
pitable plnce.
! rose from my chair and put down
three silver dollars on the table.
"Thats for my supper and the
horses feed" ! said TO the girl, "and
you mny keep the rest yourself Now,
please tell them to bring the horse
around right Off, for I must he gone"
shall never forget the look Of pain
and pity that was shown at that mo-
ment by the face Of that rude, homely
girl.
'"rhey won't give you the horse" she
said shortly.
won't give me my own horseT
echoed. And why not, prayT
flush" she said, laying her hand
firmly on my mouth. Don't be max.
Ing II noise. II they should think you
suspected II, they would do II now"
Now. although | had no idea OF the
full import Of her startling words. yet
there was n hldeous suggestion In them
that fairly made my flesh creep.
"FOr heavens sake tell me what you
mean" I said family. ~ can't ac-
count for the actions OF these people.
What do they mean, and what am
TO dor
~ hoped should see no more blood
she'd" the girl said, looking sadly and
wcarIly into my face. Then she put
her hand on my shoulder and cOntln-
ued fierccly: "Its all your own fault.
Why did you come here2 Any fool In
Jefferson could have told you what
they'd do II you came here"
"What do they take me f0rT I
asked, n suspicion Of the truth break
Ing upon me.
"g0r Just what you are. Of course"
she snld coldly-"the marshal. come
TO serve writs Of arrest"
"They are mistaken; you are all mis-
taken" I protested. 81 am not mar
shal, nor an officer Of any kind. am
merely n merchant. travelling on my
own business?
She looked at first incredulOus, but
l continued TO assure her of my real
character and she, seeing my sincerity,
soon believed me
"But you emit make them believe
1t, she quickly added. THE last mar
shal that was here was dressed and
mounted Just like you, and that ques-
tion you asked Aleck Maxwell made
'em sure you're the same kind. Tbs
truth u.s." and she lowered her voice
there's a great any horse thieves
and cattle stealers In this county tho
people are pretty much up to it--ant
there's dozens Of 'em sworn never Il
let an officer go out Of the county
alive"
What did they do to the marsha
you speak OFF, asked. with colo
SILVER.
well, they Just hung him to tina
live oak across the road and bnrie,
him under H."
GOOD heavenl But I'm not n mar
pbal; wouldn't harm u man Ia tn,