Year: 1862




most damnabe scheme, the substance Of which
was as follows:


He knew the country well iog miles around,
and the exact position and condition Of every
settler. Oae man, living in rather lonely
quarter, about dye miles distant, was speca-
later in horses aud cattle, which be sometimes
bought up and drove to 4 distant markell
He had a good deal of money, which it was
supposed he kept secreied in his dwelling. and
( to get possession Of this money was. of course,
the object in view. The trouble was, that the
man himself was brave, determined fellow
who always went well armed, and so had be-
sides his wife, two grown up sons and daurh-
ter, which was a force too great for any one
individual to encounter. About mile from
lived q poor widow who had nothing worth
stealing except her clothes which would be
valuable for carrying out our plan. This plan
was TO rob the widow first Of her clothing,
dress me up in them and have me seek lodg-
ings at the spectators house. Then in tie
night, when all the family should be asleep l
was to unbolt the door, let in my confederate
and we were to attempt the murder of the in
mates-the robbery and burning Of the house
to follow ard be the concluding scene.


secretly shuddered at the atroeity of the
contemplated crime, but appeared to receive
the di closure with the business air of the most
hardened wretch inquiring as to the amount
of money we should thus probably obtain, aud
objectiug to nothing but the great risk we
should have to run, both before aud after the
accomplishment Of our purpose. permitted
my eager companion TO gradually quiet my
fears and at last consented to act.


When everything had thus become settled
we struck of into the fells to avoid being
seen, aud just before dark c he in sight Of tie
widows house. As my companion was ac-
quaiuted with the premises, I insisted that he
should procure the female garments-bu: sol
emily warned him that if he harmed tie poor
woman in the least, would have nothing
further to do with the affair.


AS HOOQ iNCh NOuIU IdNC II, Liz W iUOh WAS
not at home, and my murderous friend man
aged to break in and get the necessary cloth
ing without any further damage. The widow
being very large woman, had no trouble in
arranging the dress so as to pass in dim light
as tolerably respectable female; and then,
having agreed upon the story | was 10 tell,
how | would manage matters, and the signal
that would assure my accomplice OF all being
right, We went forward together, till we came
in sight of the house to be robbed, when |
made my nearest way TO the road. and continu-
ed on alone, reaching the dwelling about an
hour after dark, and just as the family were
about concluding their evening meal.


Had my design been really what | had led
my villainous companion TO believe, certainly
could never have gone forward with such con
fdent boldue>s but feeling ms conscience all
right, and knowing was acting from good
motive, kept up wonderful assurance, feel
ing curious to see how well could play my
part, and to what extent l could carry ont the
deception.


asked for lodging for the night and some
thing to eat, and was kindly and Hospitality
received. The first thing that sent the blush
of shame and confusion to my checks, was the
coming forward Of young lady, about eight
cen, beautiful as an houri, and in a sweet, gen,
tie tone, asking NE if had walked far, if
was much fatigued, offering to take my hood,
aud telling me | should soon be refreshed with
a hot cup of tea This was little too much
for my equanimity. could have got along
with all the res, without being especially dis
tur6ed but was then a young unmarried
man, and though not particularly susceptible
to female attractions in general, | thought
had never looked upon 50 lovely and interest
ing creature before. l stammered out some
unintelligible replies, kept my hood well drawn
over my face, and asked to be permitted to
have few minutes private conversation with
the master Of the house,


OF course this course caused considerable
surprise-but it was granted and as soon as
We were dlOLt tH96tiItt, lulu MN III 4 IL"
words who and what was, the strange ad7en-
ture had met with, and disclosed in full the
plot Of my road-acquaintance to murder and
rob him. He turned pale at the recital, and
seemed much astonished, and begged me not
to mention the design to his wife and daughter
He then called bis TWO sons-strong determin
ed felows-reeounted the plot to them, and
arranged to hare everything 60 forward as if
the scheme were being carried out as It's vile
author designed


Il took some shrewd management to keep
me to my part without letting the females into
the secret; but il was effected; and before
midnight I cautiously opened the door and
looked out There was my man, ready and
waiting.


Is all right p he whispered.


Yes, come in -


Az he crossed the threshold. the father and