The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1900-08-21
JAIHAWkERS
How a Traveller Fell Into Their
Clutches and the Desperate e.
fort He Made For His Life. ;:


Clutches and the Desperate Ex-
fort He Made For His Life. ;:
@-s-~-s~-s-~-s-~.s-~-s.~% -s-~-s~-.-~-e-~-s-%-s.<
Many years since took a fancy t.
travel far beyond the region of rail
roads and steamboats, into one of thu
! new territories of the southwest. NJ
object was to see what could be done
on a large scale in the way of trade.
1t was toward the close of a flint
spring day that rode up to the grea
.barnlike tavern of one of those spread
out, pine board towns of the far ives
which grow up SO rapidly in the patti
of emigration. A large group of rude
looking men stood ON the steps an(
seemed to be carefully criticising m,
and comparing notes as l dismounted
was conscious of nothing peculiar
about me, except the generally smar
and "natty" appearance of myself anC
animal The latter was a splendid
roadster that l had purchased in st
Louis, in fine condition, and with al
action that would excite the admira
ton of any horse fancier. was habit
ed in a new suit, surmounted by {
slouched hat, and completed by grea
top boots. My saddle and bride were
half military in their shape and trim
mings, and had a valise and blanke
roll strapped on behind. On the
whole, I think almost any observer
would have set me down for some
thing more than mere private citi
zen travelling on his own, business.
left my horse in care of the frs
man whom l found willing to take
him and, ordering my supper, walked
about the uninviting barroom ani
finally took seat and began to read
a pamphlet that l had in my pocket
While ] was thus engaged a great
burly fellow came and stood in the
doorway and deliberately stared at me
"Good evening, sir" 1 said II should
like to make a few inquiries, If you
please, about the people here and
through the country, and"-
mot Of me, you won'tv' was his
rude rejoinder, and he was gone before
l could ask an explanation.
l was little nettled at such boorish-
ness, still rather amused than annoy
ed. should probably have thought
no more of 1t but for more of the same
kind of treatment that l shortly ex-
perienced. A shock headed girl called
me out to supper, and, finding table
abundantly spread with the substan-
tials of life, was appeasing my hun
ger vigorously when a wild, wolfish
face was thrust inside the door, and
two staring eyes surveyed me closely.
whats wantedT l asked, rather
irritated 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 mean2"
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 pitied me. 1 was beginning
to feel decidedly uncomfortable; my
appetite was spoiled before it was half
appeased, and l resolved on the spot
to continue my journey that night
rather than remain in such an iphos-
pitable place.
I rose from my chair and put down
three silver dollars on the table.
'That's for my supper and the
horses feed" l said to the girl, ''and
you may keep the rest yourself. Now,
please tell them to bring the horse
around right off, for l must be gone"
1 shall never forget the look of pain
and pity that was shown at that mo-
ment by the face of that rude, homely
girl
"They won't give you the horse" she
said shortly.
won't give me my own horse~ /
echoed "And why not, pray"
"Hushr she said, laying her hand
firmly on my mouth. 'Don't be max
ing noise. If they should think you
suspected it, they would do it now"
Now, although l had no idea Of the
full import Of her startling words, yet
there was hideous suggestion in them
that fairly made my flesh creep.
"For heavens sake tell me what you
meanr l said family. II can't ac-
count for the actions of these people.
What do they mean, and what am
to dor"
"I hoped l should see no more blood
she'd" the girl said, looking sadly and
YEARLY into my face. Then she put
her hand on my shoulder and contin-
ued fiercely: Its all your own fault.
Why did you come here? Any fool in
Jefferson could have told you what
they'd do if you came here"
"What do they take me FORT" l
asked, a suspicion of the truth break
ing upon me.
"For just what you are, of course, y
she said coldly-"the marshal, come
to serve writs of arrest"
''They are mistaken; you are all mis-
taken" l protested. 81 am not a mar
shall, nor an officer of any kind. I am
merely a 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 can't make them believe
it." she quickly added. 'The last mar
shall that was here was dressed and
mounted just like you, and that ques-
ton you asked Aleck Maxwell made
'em sure you're the same Kind. The
truth is" and she lowered her voice.
there's q great many horse thieves
and cattle stealers in this county-the
people are pretty much up to it-and
there's dozens of 'em sworn never to
let an officer go out Of the county
alive"
"What did they do to the marshal
you speak Off asked, with a cold
shiver
"Well, they just hung him to that
live oak across the road and buried
him under it."
"Good heaven! But I'm not a mar
shall; wouldn't harm man in the
county If could"
She shook her head.
"It's no use, stranger" she said
''They won't believe you; your looks
belle everything you say. They'll
serve you the same way"
Cant I escape?" asked, in per
feet agony of terror. Get my horse
and let me go"
'It's no use; they'd kill me II got
your horse for you. Here" She soft
ly opened door and pointed out. Its
a slim chance for life, but it's youl
only one. Take to the woods, and
may heaven have mercy on you'll Don't
stop to thank me-go"
waited for no second invitation, but
cleared the house and plunged into the
woods unobserved. 1 ran withoui
stopping for some time, and then I'M
expectedly found myself In the high
way that 1 had travelled two hours be
fore. with the village visible a mile