Year: 1870

old Jordan Place. He said that would be
great help to him. So, with the assist
ance of the station baggage-master,
helped him to the seat. He was large
heavy man. and rs he seemed unable to
help himself in climbing, the labor Of
hosting him up was not light one.


Il shall come down easier" he said
laughing.


"All right" replied, as l took my
seat by his side.


made quick work of delivering my
stuff in the village, and when we had
struck the old road beyond, asked my
companion his name. He said it was
John Smith. Then led him on TO tell
me of his experience in the army, and
more particularly at Gettysburg. He
said he was Maine boy, but not in II
Maine regiment. He was in Ohio when
he enlisted, and joined a regiment in that
State.


! asked him which one


He told me the forty eighth.


This staggered me: but l proceeded
with my questions, and ere long had
gained from him all he knew of Gettys-
burg, and more TO.


don't like to be sold; but had been
sold now, certainly. The man by my
side was a humbug. In the first place,
knew that the Forty eighth Ohio was
at Nicksburg. with Grant. while Getlys-
burg was being fought. And then had
heard the whole story of Gettysburg from
wounded officers who had come from the
field and this mans story was not like
the story they had told. had made up
my mind that the fellow was . Sucker"
or a Sponge" when was interrupted in
my meditations by sudden lurch of the
wagon, one of the wheels having d opp.
ed into slough-hole upon that side on
which the war-worn and shattered hero
sat. expected, when had recovered
my own balance, to see him pitched from
the perch; but not so. saw that ban
dagcd leg, which erst had been rs use
less as dead mans leg, suddenly
Straighten out; the swathed foot was
planted hatly and squarely upon the
board and with full pressure upon the
disguised limb he held himself, and re-
gained his equilibrium.


Ipretended not to notice but had no.
ticed. and reflected That right lee, so
carefully nursed. was as stout, and as
strong and rs free for use, as my own.
Had the fellow taken all this trouble of
deception for the sole purpose OF getting
a ride2 | could not believe it. Had he
do2c il for the purpose of exciting SYM
pathy that he might beg with better sue
cess? He did not look like man prone
to be a beggin. Then why was it?


had been in my present position OF
messenger nearly two years, and rs |
never went upon my route without more
or less money intrusted to my care. [ had
learned 10 be suspicious. This man had
been present when Prindle gave me the
three thousand dollars, and had probably
overheard the agents directions. He
meant 10 rob me, or he had not come
with me for that purpose. looked into
his face and now that | regarded him no
more rs a war.worn veteran and hero, |
discovered him to be an exceedingly ugly
and repulsive looking person. And he
was a powerful fellow, to boot should
say. almost twice as heavy rs myself,
But | was not to remain in doubt.
We had entered secluded part OF the
road, with deep wood upon the left
hand, when my companion drew re-
volycr from his pocket, and pointed the
muzzle towards me.


Give me that pocket-book OF yours"
he commanded. Don't make no words!
Give it up, or die, Quick"


Ny pocket-book, besides the three thou
sand-dollar package, contained full two
thousand dollars Lelonging to parties in
Norway. Ny instinct was born of my Of
flee thought more of the property in
| trusted to my care than of myself. just
then heard wagon wheels in the distance
something coming up behind US.
Should try and wait for the coming
team, or should try and gain the next
house? just beyond was the brow of a
/ hill, and at the ioot of the hill farm
house. struck my horse with the whip,
and as he leapcd from under The blow,
the ruflian caught the reins with one
hand, aud grasped my throat with the 9th.
er. his pistol falling upon the foot board
as he did so. As soon rs he had given
my cravat a twist that stopped my breath,
he let 90 the reins and made a grasp for
my pocket book. thinking, no doubt, to
seize it, and then leap from the wagon and
make for the woods. And this he might
have done but for an accident; for he was
perfect Hercules in comparison with
me.


When my assailant let go the reins l
had sense enough to catch one OF them
The near remand give it smart pull,
which movement brought the horse so
suddenly TO the left that the wagon was
overturned, and we spilled out into mud
dy dilch-I upon the top of the robber. In
the course of my struggles my cravat gave
| way. and | was for q moment free; but