The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1900-08-03
JAYHAWKER6:
How a Traveller Fell Into Their
Clutches and the Desperate Eff
fort He Made For His Life. !;


fort He Made For His Life. :;
Many years since / took a fancy to
travel far beyond the region of rail.
roads and steamboats, into one of the
new territories of the southwest. My
object was to see what could be done
on large scale in the way of trade.
1t was toward the close Of fine
spring day that / rode up to the great
barnlike tavern of one of those spread
out, pine board towns of the far west
which grow up SO rapidly in the path
of emigration. A large group of rude
looking men stood on the steps and
seemed to be carefully criticising me
and comparing notes as 1 dismounted.
/ was conscious of nothing peculiar
about me, except the generally smart
and ''natty" appearance Of myself and
animal. The latter was a splendid
roadster that / had purchased in st.
Louis, in fine condition, and with an
action that would excite the admira-
ton of any horse fancier. / was habit
ed in a new suit, surmounted by a
slouched hat and completed by great
top boots. My saddle and bride were
half military in their shape and trim
mings, 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 on his own business.
left my horse in care of the first
man whom l found willing to take
him and ordering my supper, walked
about the uninviting barroom and
finally took seat and began to read
a pamphlet that / had in my pocket.
While l was thus engaged great
burly fellow came and stood in the
doorway and deliberately stared at me.
"Good evening, SIR. said. II should
like to make few inquiries, If you
please, about the people here and
through the country, and''-
.'Not of me, you won'tp' was his
rude rejoinder, and he was gone before
! could ask an explanation.
| was little nettled at such boorish-
ness, still rather amused than annoy
ed. / should probably have thought
!
kind of treatment that l shortly ex-
perienced. A shock headed girl called
me out to supper, and, finding a table
abundantly spread with the substan-
tials of life, was appeasing my hun
ger vigorously when wild, wolfish
face was thrust inside the door, and
two staring eyes surveyed me closely.
whats wantedT' | 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head was withdrawn, and within the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 mean?" !
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. l was beginning
to feel decidedly uncomfortable; my
appetite was spoiled before it was half
appeased, and resolved on the spot
to continue my journey that night
rather than remain in such an inhos-
pitable place.
l 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"
l 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 horseY l
echoed. "And why not, pray?"
''Hush" 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
meanp' l said family. 81 can't ac-
count for the actions of these people.
What do they mean and what am
to doT'
II hoped / 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: tits 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'
asked, suspicion of the truth break
ing upon me.
"For just what you are, of course"
she said coldly-"the marshal, come
to serve writs Of arrest"
's"rhey are mistaken; you are all mis-
taken" l protested II am not mar
shall, nor an officer of any kind am
merely merchant, travelling on my
own business"
She looked at first incredulous, but
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
shal that was here was dressed and
mounted just like you, and that ques-
ton you asked Aleck Maxwell made
sem sure you're the same kind. Inc
truth is" and she lowered her voice,
''there's a 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