Year: 1862

otOunQp un0 thC CAoCS pOctttOn tVn0i-
tion of every settler. On man. living in a
rather lonely quarter. about five miles dis.
tant was speculator in horses and cattle,
which he sometimes bougb. up and drove
to distant market. He had a good deal
of money, which it was supposed he kept
secreted in his dwelling; and to get pos
session of this money. was. of course. the
object in view. The trouble was that the
man himself was brave, determined fell
low, who always went we'll armed. and
also had, beides his wife. two grown sons
and a daughter. which was force too
great for any one individual to encounter.
About mile from him lived a poor Will
ow, who had nothing worth stealing ex-
cept her clothes, which would be valuable
for carrying ont our plan. This plan was
to rob the widow first of her clothing.
dress me up in them. and have me seek
lodging at the speculator's house. Then,
in the night when the family should be
asleep, | was 10 unbolt the door, let in my
confederate. and we two were to attempt
the murder Of the inmates-the robbery
and burning of the house to follow. and be
the concluding scene.


| secretly shuddcred at the a!trocity Of
the contemplated crime, but appeared to
receive the disclosure with the business air
Of the most hardened wretch. inquiring as
to the amount of money we should thus
probably obtain. and objecting to nothing
but the risk both before and after the ac-
complishment of our purpose. l permit
ted my eager companion'to gradually quiet
my fears. and at last consented to act.
When everything had thus become set
tied. we struck off into the fields to avoid
being seen. and just before dark came in
sight Of the widows house. AS my CON-
panion acquainted with the premises. in.
sisted that he should procure the female
garmcnts-but solemnly warned him that
if he harmed the poor cid woman in the
least, l would have nothing further to do
with the affair.


AS good luck would have it, the widow
was not at home. and my murderous friend
managed to break in and get the necessa.
~ clothing without doing any further dam
age. Tho widow being a large woman. i
had no trouble in arranging the dress so as
to pass in the dim light for tolcrably res
pcctable female; and then-having agreed
upon the story | was to tell. and how i
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 l madc|my nearest way to the road,
and continued on alone. reaching the dwell
ing about an hour after dark, and Just as
the family were about concluding their
evening meal.


Had my design been really what l had
led my villainous companion to believe. l
certainly could never have gone forward
with such confident boldness; but feeling
my conscience all right. and knowing l
was acting from good motive. kept up
a wonderful assurance. feeling curious to
see how we'll could play my part aud to
what extent | could carry out the deccp-
ton.


/ asked for lodging for the night and
something to eat, and was kindly and hos
pitably received. The first thing that sent
the blush of shame and confusion 10 my
checks. was the coming forward Of young
lady. about eighteen beautiful as an houri.
and in sweet, gentle tone, asking me II l
had walked far, if | was much fatigued,
offering to take my hood, and telling me
| should soon be refreshed with hot cup
of tea This was little too much for my
equanimity. i could have got along with
all the rest. without being especially dis.
turbed; but was then a young unmarried
man. and though not particularly suscep-
tible to female attractions in general.
thought | had neve, looked upon SO lovely
creature before. stammered out some
unintelligible replies. kept my hood well
drawn over my face. and asked to have a
few minutes private conversation with the
master Of the house.


OF course this request caused consider
able surprise: but it was granted. AS soon
as We were alone together. | told him in a
few words who and what was. the strange
adventure 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 daughter. He then called
his two sons-strong, determined fellows
-recounted to them the plot, and arrang-
ed to have everything to go forward as if
the scheme were being carried out as its
vile author designed.


1t took some shrewd management to
keep me to my part without letting the ie-
males into the secret; but it was effected,
and before midnight / cautiously opened
the door and looked out. There was my
man. ready and waiting.


"Is all right?" he whispered.


Eyes; come in!'


AS he crossed the threshold. the father
ard sons sprung upon him. But the fel-
low was strong and desperate. and perhaps
had some slight suspicion Of the truth
With wild yell he cleared their united
grasps at a bound. leaving large port ion
of his rags in their hands. The next mo-
ment the whole four of us were in chase of
the villain. as he ran across the road to
gain the cover Of wood about twenty rods
distant.


"Firel' shouted the father; "shoot
down the scoundrelp'


We were oil armed and prepared, and
at the word four revolvers began to crack
behind him. But he seemed to lead a
charmed life, and still ran on. keeping a
short distance ahead of us. Once | fam
cied saw him stagger; but he gained the
wood and disappeared. and we reluctantly