Year: 1862

was acting from a good motive, kept uF


a wonderful assurance, feeling curious tc


see how we'll could play my part, and


to what extent could carry the decep-


ton.


asked for lodging for the night, and


something to eat, and was kindly and


Hospitality received. The first thing that


brought the blush of shame and confu-


sion to my cheeks. waa the coming for


ward of the young lady, about eighteen


beautiful as an hour, and in a sweet
gentle tone, asked me if | had walked


far, if was much fatigued, and offered
to take my hood, telling me | should
soon be refreshed with a hot cup of tea.
This was little too much for my equa-
nimity. l could have got along with all
the rest, without being specially disturbed;
but was then young, unmarried man,
and though not particularly susceptible 10
female attractions in general, ! thought l
had never looked upon so lovely and in
teresting a creature before. | stammered
out some unintelIigible replies, kept my
hood well down over my face, and asked
to be permitted to have few minutes
private conversation with the master of
the house.


Of course this request caused consid-
cradle surprise-but it was granted-and
as soon as we were alone together, l told
him in few words who and what | was
the strange adventure l 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, but begged me not to
mention the design to his wife and daugh-
ter. He then called bis two sons--strong.
determined young fellows-recounted the
plot to them, and arranged to have every
thing 90 forward as if the scheme were
being carried out as its vile author de-
signed.


1t took some shrewd management to
keep me to my part without letting the
females into the secret; but it was effect
ed F; and before midnight cautiously
opened the door and looked ont. There
was my man, ready and waiting.


"Is all right?' he whispered.


"Yes, come in -


As he crossed the threshold, the father
and sons sprung upon him. But the tel-
low was strong and desperate, and per-
haps had some slight suspicion of the
truth. With wild cry be cleared their
united grasps at bound. The next mo-
ment the whole four of US were in chase
of the scamp as he ran across the road to
gain the cover of wood about twenty
rods distant.


Fire" shouted the father; "shoot
down the scoundrelw


We were all armed and prepared, and
at the word four revolvers began to crack
behind him. But he seemed 20 lead
charmed life, and still ran on, keeping a
short distance ahead of US. Once fan
cied l saw him stagger, but he gained the
wood and disappeared, and we reluctant
y and with deep chagrin gave up the
chase.


When we returned to the house, the
wife and daughter we're both up and ter
IDLY alarmed. OF course an explana-
ion followed, the host being disappointed
n making the capture, as he intended,
without exciting their fears. There was
10 more sleep in that house that night.


The next morning we went out to the
wood and discovered trail of blood
We followed on for half mile, and found $
he rutfian lying dead, face downward,
lis hands firmly clinched upon some
'ushes. One Of the sons recognized him |
S suspected murderer, who had q
ouple of years before left that part of b
he country. He was buried with little Q
eremony. | was warmly thanked for
ne part had played to save the family. o
Ut from no other did the words sound so h
Teet to me as from the lips of the beau Y
full maiden. :,
The family pressed me to stay with b
lem for a while, and l stayed-long
lough to lose my heart and win another. N
trange as it appears in looking back to &C
the event of that william leaping into ne
e road before me, changed my whole H
rtune ! and sometimes, when | gaze
ndly upon my lovely wife, l am tempt he
to bless the dark and wicked design ba
at providentially led TO so much bappi- gu
IS. tol


he
e. The population of the Sandwich thi
ands has dwindled to $1,000, from an