Year: 1863

gry! L answered., t0lnklng II likely
the scoundrel had some project in view,
which, by seeming to chime in with
him. I might discover.


I "Well, I've got plan," said be,
throwing his club down as il to insure
me Of bis pacific intentions toward my
self and quietly advancing to my side.
"I've got plan that will give us both a
heap of money, and it'll take two to
carry it out. I've been wanting pal.
and If you'll join in. I'll go your
halves"


eff there's any chance to turn pen
ny I'm your mani" said l.


"Goojl'' returned be, "you look
like trump. and I'll bet on you. l
don't know" he added. eyeing me
sharply. "but 1 may be deceived-but
think I'll risk it. If you 60 for to
play any game on me you'd better look
out for yourself, that's ALL"


"Do ] look like such scape as that?"
returned | in an indignant tone.


"Well. let's take seat and talk it
all over"


We found an old log and sat down
and after some preliminary CONVERSE
ton my new and interesting acquain-
taDce unfolded 10 me most damnable
scheme, the substance of which is as
follows:


He knew the country well for miles
around, and the exact position and
condition Of every settler. One man,
living 10 rather q lonely quarter, about
FIVE miles distant, who was specula-
tor in horses and cattle, which he some
times bought up and drove to distant
market. He had good deal OF money
which it was supposed he kept secreted
10 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 fel-
low, who always went well armed, and
besides his wife, two grown up sons
and daughter. which was force too
great for any one individual TO encoun-
ter. About a mile from him lived
poor widow who bad nothing worth
stealing except her clothes which would
be valuable for carrying out our plan.
The plan was to rob the widow first
of her clothing. dress me up in them,
and have me seek lodging at the spec
ulator's house. Then in the night when
all the family should be asleep, l was
to unbolt the door, let in my confede-
rate, and we were to attempt the mur-
der Of the inmates-the robbery and
burning of the house to follow and be
the concluding scene. a


Isecretly sbuddered at the atrocity OF
the contemplated crime, but appeared
to receive the disclosure with business
air of the most hardened wretch, in
quiring as to the amount Of money we
should thus probably obtain, and OBJ.
jecting to nothing but the great risk we
should have to run, before and 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 fields, to
avoid being seen, and Just before dark,
came 10 sight of the widows house.
As my companion was acquainted with
the premises, I insisted that he should
procure the female garments--but SOL
emnly warned him, that If he harmed
the poor old woman in the least, /
would have nothing to do with the af-
fair.


As good luck would have it, the
widow was not at home and my mur.
derous friend managed to break in and
get the necessary clothing without any
further damage. The widow being a
large woman I had no trouble in ar
ranging the dress so to pass in dim
light as tolerable respectable female;
and then, having agreed upon the sto.
ry / was to tell. how l would manage
matters, and the signal that would as
sure 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 continued on alone, reaching
the dwelling house about an hour after
dark, and Just after the family were
about concluding their evening meal.


Had my design been really what ]
had led my villainous companion to be-
lieve, l certainly would never have gone
forward with such confident boldness,
but feeling my conscience all right, and
knowing was acting from a good mo-
tive, l kept up wonderful assurance,
feeling curious to see how well l could
play my part, and to what extent /
could carry the deception.


l asked for lodging for the night,
and something to eat, and was kindly
and Hospitality received. The first
thing that sent blush Of shame and
confusion to my cheeks, was the COM
ing forward Of young lady, about
eighteen, beautiful as an houri, and in
a sweet, gentle tone asking me If I had
walked far, if l was much fatigued,
offering to take my hood and telling me
/ should soon be refreshed with a cup
of tea. This was little too much for
my equinimity. could have got along
with all the rest, without being es-
pecially disturbed; but 1 was then a |
young, unmarried man, and though
not particularly susceptible to female
attractions in general, ] thought had
never looked upon so lovely and inter-