Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-05-02

-SB4O-.in my wanet-1n my breast
pocket-and against it I seemed to
hear my heart thump.
For the first five miles the
road lay straight away and smooth.
Then it veered TO the north, there
after to turn again, at which point
it ran between a sort of hedgerow. vt
the further end stood a clump OF
trees like sentinel ghosts whose very
appearance had a weirdness that was
"shivvery." We reached the end OF
the topless tunnel of bushes. 1t was
then | made out in the thick shadow
Of the trees the figure of lone horse
man who, as he advanced, urged his
animal into the road completely pre-
venting our further progress. The
negro pulled up the team without a
word. Instinctively I had, at first
sight of the shadowy figure on the
horse, flung my wallet to the bottom
of the blackboard where | placed my
foot upon It. A spirit of deep hatred
for the proprietor of the National
house and my negro driver came over
me on the instant. Everything APP
peared as plain as day, all the details
of the plan of robbery, perhaps muir
der. of which I was to be the victim.
My thoughts, however, were broken
by the question put us in peculiarly
musical voice by the horseman who
impeded our passage:
"Where are you gentlemen bound
for?" was the question.
Joplin, sahl" replied my driver be-
fore l could speak.
"Then you're on the wrong road.
At that the negro blurted out: "De
wrong road-w'y all been ober DIS
road mon 100 times; dis amt de
wrong road-dis is de right road.
The horseman showed no signs OF
anger. All he said was-and to me
totally ignoring the negro: you're
driver is mistaken. sir. This is not
the right road--or it may be he has
designs upon you-bringing you this
way. If you will permit me will show
YOU the proper route. must ask you
however, first, to turn around"
Observing that the negro made nc
SIGN even of having heard, | took the
lines from him and turned the team.
81 am sorry to say" the horscmar
went on, chat I believe your colorco
driver has designs on you, so, in or
der that he may not attempt revenge
upon Won, because | have thwartcd his
plans. shall ride behind you and keci
him covered" And as he passed the
blackboard from the horses head tC
the rear. the moonlight glinted from
The metal of the revolver he clutcheC
in his right hand. The negro beside
ne. I had long since put out of my
mind as one who desired to wrong
me. He had not uttered a word. j
was plain to see that he was dunn
from fright. As it was, / drove OF
copnizant, as of my own existence
that from behind a revolver was be
ing pointed at me as well as at TIT
pitiful creature at my side, though
rack nv brain as I might for motive
] could, in no degree, commensurate
with the circumstances, get at th'
leaning of this night affair. AS WI
proceeded l glimpsed now and theI
n the woods through which the roat
wound. the sparkle Of several fires
about which. however. I saw no sign
of life. From the beginning the horse
man. behind, had from time to tim
emitted a short, low whistle, that now
in these woods, was replied to b,
other similar whistles from all sides
Each moment I thought the mex
would be my last. And it was with
feeling of faintness that 1 Perceive
we had emerged from the woods. o
down a rough road we proceeded 10
at least an hour. At last, off in tn
distance. saw the lights of town.
Now you know was right" sal
the man behind. THAT is Joplin
Drive straight on apd4you'u be, Their