Year: 1862

Ing pdi, anu IL .o0 IL lV4ii ia IA 80 sou
halves


If there's any chance to turn penny, I'm
your man. said l.


Good returned he; you look like
trump, and I'll bet high on YOU. 4 don't
know he added, eyeing me sharply, but |
may be deceived; but l think Ill risk it. If
you go for to play any game on me, you'd
better look out for yourself


DO look like such scamp as that - re-
turned l, in an indignant tone.


well, let US take seat and talk i: over
said he.


We found an old log and sat down, and af-
ter some preliminary conversation, my new
and interesting acquaintance unfolded 10 Inc
a most damnable scheme, the substance Of
which was this:


He knew the country well for miles around
and the exact position and condition of every
settler. One man, living in a rather lonely
quarter, about FIVE miles distant, was a spec
ulator in horses and cattle, which be some
times bought up and drove to a distant mar
ket. He had good deal of money, which
it was supposed he kept secreted in his dwell
ling; and to get possession Of this money
was, Of course the object in view. The trou-
bic was that the man himself was brave.
determined fellow, who always went well
armed, and had, besides his wife, two grown
up sons and daughter, which force was too
great for any one man to encounter. About
a mile from him lived poor widow, who had
naught 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 it. and have
me seek lodging at the spectators house.
Then in the night, when Ill the family should
be asleep, was 20 unbolt the door, let in my
confederate, and We attempt the murder of
the inmates-the robbery, anc burning of the
house to follow and close the scene.


l secretly shuddered at the atroeity of the
contemplated crime, but appeared to receive
the disclosure with the business air Of the
most hardened wretch, inquiiing as to the a
mount of money we should thus probably
obtain, ,anG objecting 20 nothing bat the great
risk We should have to run, sth before and
after the accomplishment of our purpose. |
permitted ny eager friend TO quiet my fears,
and at last consented to act.


When everything had thus become settled,
we struck Off into the fields, to avoid being
seen, and just before dark came in sight o.
the widows house. As my companion W.;
acquainted with the premises, insisted thai
he should procure the female garments-bur
solemniy warned him that if he harmed tn.
poor widow in the least, | would have moth
ing further to DO with the affair. As gooj
luck would have it, the widow was not al
home, and my murderous friend managed tc
break in and get the necessary clothing with
out doing any further damage. The widow
being large woman. l had no trouble in ar
ranging the dress so as to pass in a dim lls hi
as toleraby respectable female: anu then
having agreed upon the story was 10 tell
how would manage matters, and the sigma
that would assure my aecompiice of all bein!
right, We went forward together. till We cam'
! in sight of the house 10 be robbed, when
made my nearest way TO the read. and con
,inued on alone, reaching the dwelling abou
an hour after dark-just as the family wer
concluding their evening meal.


Had my design been really what | had let
my villainous companion to believe, | Ger
tainly could never have gone forward Wit


such confident boldness but feeling my con


science all right. and knowing was actin


from good motive, l kept up wonderfu


assurance, feeling curious to see how well


could play my part, and TO what extent tn


deception would 60.


l asked for lodging for the nt.and some


thing to eat, and was kindly and hospitabl


received. The first thing that sent the blus


of shame and confusion TO my cheeks, va


the coming forward OF the young lady, abou
eighteen, beautiful rs an houri. and in a swee
, gentle tone, asking me # had walked ia
if was much fatigued, offering to take m


hood, and telling me should soon be r.
: freshed with hot cup of tea. This was
little too much for my equanimity. | couI
have got along with ali the rest, without b
t ing especially disturbed but l was then


Young, unmarried man, and though not pa
ticularly susceptible to female attractions
e general, | thought l had never looked upC
i so lovely and interesting creature befor
= stammered out some unintelligible replie
u kept my hood well down over my face, al


asked to be permitted to have few minute
r private conversation with the master Of I


house.


d Of course this request caused considerat
!, surprise, but it was granted, and as soon
e we were alone together, told him in a f,
u words who and what was, the strange a
venture had met with, and disclosed in II


the plot of my road acquaintance TO murd
- and rob him. He turned pale at the recit


and seemed much astonis he'd. but begged 4
# not to mention tn, design to his wife al
r daughter. He then called his two sons
4. strong. determined fellows-recounted t


,ho,, ,nd ARRANGED TO have eyerythi