The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1905-10-20
The PEDDLER'S STORY.


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81 COLD winters night, several
A years since, found stage-load
of passengers gathered around
the warm fire Of tavern barroom in q
New England village. Shortly after we
arrived, a peddler drove up and or
dered that his horse should be stabbed
for the night
After We had eaten supper, we re-
paired to another room, where the con-
versat ton flowed freely. Several anec-
dotes had been related, and finally the
peddler was asked to give a story, as
men Of his profession were generally
full of adventures and anecdotes. He
was short, thick-set man, somewhat
about 40 years of age, and gave evil
dence Of great physical strength. He
gave his name as Lemuel Vinney, and
said his home was In Dover, New
Hampshire.
"Well, gentlemen" he commenced,
knocking the ashes from his pipe and
putting it in his pocket, suppose tell
you about the last thing of any conse-
Quence that happened to me- You see
I am now right from the West, and
on my way home for winter quarters
1t was during the early part Of last
spring, one pleasant evening, that I
pulled up at the door Of a small vii
lage tavern in Hancock County, In
diana. I said it was a pleasant
mean warm. went in and called for
supper and had my horse taken care
Of. After had eaten, I sat down in
the barroom. 1t began to rain about 8
O'Clock. and it was very dark out Of
doors. Now wanted to be in Jackson
the next morning, for expected load
OF goods there for me which intend
ed to dispose Of on my way home.
1.-THE moon would rise about mid
night, and knew If it did not rain
could get along through the mud very
well after that So asked the land
lord If be would see that my horse was
fed about midnight, as l wished to be
of at about 2. He expressed some sur
prise at this and asked me why / did
not stop for breakfast. told him that
I had sold my last load about out and
that new lot Of goods was waiting
for me at Jackson, and I wanted to be
there before the express agent left In
the morning.
There were q number Of persons
sitting round while 1 told this, but
took little notice Of them; only one ar
rested my attention. I had seen that
week notices for the detection OF a no.
torious robber. The bill gave a de-
scription Of his person, and the man
before me answered very we'll to It.
He was tall, well-formed man, rather
slight in frame, and had the appear
ance Of gentleman. save that his face
bore those hard, cruel marks which an
observing man cannot mistake for any
thing but the index Of a villainous dis
position.
when l went to my chamber. I
asked the landlord who that man was.
describing the individual. He said ne
ID not know him. He had come that
afternoon and intended to leave the
next day. The host asked me WHY I
wished to know, and l simply told him
that the mans countenance was IA
miliar, and I merely wished to know If
l ever was acquainted with him.
Il was resolved not to let the land
lord into the secret. but to give infor-
nation to the sheriff and perhaps he
might reach the inn before the villain
left, for had no doubt with regard to
his identity.
had an alarm watch, and having
Set 1t to give the alarm at l O'Clock. !
went TO Sleep. l was aroused at the
proper time and Immediately arose and
dressed myself. When l reached the
yard ] found the clouds all passed
away and the moon was shining
brightly. The hoStler was easily
aroused and by two o'clock 1 was or
the road. The mud was deep, and my
horse could not travel very fast. How
ever, Oh we went, and In the course
Of half an hour l was clear Of thu
village. At q short distance ahead LAY
large tract of forest, mostly Of grea
pine. The road lay directly through
this wood. and as near as can remem
Der the distance was twelve miles. Ye
the moon was IN the east and the roat
ran nearly west, so thought shoul
have light enough.
Il had entered this wood and gon
about half q mile when my waeo