Newspaper Page Text
NEWS & PLANTERS’ GAZETTE.
I>. <>r. COTTINfi, Editor.
No. 28.—NEW SERIES.]
mm & PLANTERS GAZEIIE.
* terms:
Published weekly at Three Dollars per annum,
it’ paid at the time of subscribing; or ’Three j
Dollars and Fifty Cents, if not paid till the expi.
ration of six months.
No paper to be discontinued, unless at the
option of the Editor, without the settlement oi all
arrearages.
O’ Letters, on business, must be post paid, to
insure attention. No communication shall be
published, unless we arc made acquainted, with the
name of the author.
TO ADVERTISERS.
Advertisements, not exceeding one square, first
insertion, Seventy-five Cents; and for each sub
sequent insertion, Fifty Cents. A reduction will
be made of twenty-five per cent, to those who
advertise by the year. Advertisements not
limited when handed in, will be inserted till for
bid, and charged accordingly.
Sales of Land and Negroes by Exec utors, Ad
ministrators, and Guardians, are required by law,
to be advertised, in a public Gazette, sixty days
previous to the day of sale.
The sales of Personal Property must be adver
tised in like manner, forty days.
Notice to Debtors and Creditors of an Estate
must be published forty days.
Notice that application will be made to the
Court of Ordinary, for leave to sell Land or Ne
groes, must be published weekly for four months;
notice that application will be made for Letters of
Administration, must bo published thirty days;
and Letters of Dismission, six months.
AGENTS.
THE FOLLOWING Ur.:(TLr;IIFN WII.I. FORWARD THE
NAMES OF AN If WHO MAY WISH TO SUKSCKIUR .
J. T. f (i. //. Wooten,\ A. D. .S7//iow.,Dauburg,
Millorysville, B. F. ‘Tatum, Liucoln-
Felix G. Edwards, Pe- ton,
tersburg, Elbert, iO. A. Lucketl, Crawford-
Gsn. Grier, Raytown,| viile,
Taliaferro, j W. Davenport, Lexing-
Jam.es Bill, PoweltonJ ton,
Hancock, ’N. Bush, Invington,
Woi. B. Nelms, Elber-j Wilkinson,
ton, i Dr. Cain, Cambridge,
John A. Simmons, Go-1 Abbevilie District,
slien, Lincoln, I South Carolina.
Mall Arrangements.
rOST OFFICE, (
Washington, Ga., January, 1842.
AUGUSTA MAIL.
ARRIVES.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at 5, A. M.
CLOSES.
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, a: 21, P. M.
MILLEDGEVILLE -MAIL.
ARRIVES.
Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday, at 8, A. M.
CLOSES.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at 11, A. M.
CAROLINA MAIL.
ARRIVES.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at 11, A. M.
CLOSES.
Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday, at 8, A. M. |
ATHENS MAIL.
ARRIVES.
Sunday and Wednesday, at 9, A. M.
CLOSES.
Sunday and Wednesday, at 9, A. M.
ELBERTON MAIL.
ARRIVES. CLOSES.
Thursday, at 8, P. M. | Thursday, at 8, P. M. ;
LINCOLN TON MAIL.
ARRIVES. CLOSES.
Friday, at 12, M. j Friday, at 12, M.
■ iwmmi i■!m ■ n -nri wiriii “niiii in ir” n i
*iYotice.
A LL persons indebted to the Subscriber ei-
A ther by Note or Account, are requeued to
call and pay up immediately—if not, they will
find their notes in the hands of tiio Justices.
GEORGE W. JARRETT.
February 17, 1842. 25
skw&imhbo
All persons indebted to the Estate of Thom- j
as Blake)', late of Wilkes county, deceased,
are requested to make immediate payment, and
those having demands against the same will pre
sent them in terms of the law for payment.
WM. Q,. ANDERSON, Adm’r.
January 27 22
NEW~SHOES.
rpO-WIT, the following: Ladies’ Kid, Call,
JL and Prunelle Walking Shoes ; Women’s
sew’d Kip Shoetees ; Roys’ Calf and Kip Shoes,
sew’d and peg’d ; Coarse Brogans, making my
assortment complete from the smallest size to
the largest extra size, low for Cash.
A. L. LEWIS.
December 10, 1841. 10
mYotice.
A LL persons indebted to the late firm of Mc-
MILLAN & VINCENT, are requested to
make payment immediately to
JOHN 11. DYSON.
January G, 1842. 19
JYotlce.
YIN HE Subscriber having sold out his Stock of
X GROCERIES to Mr. Edgar Vincent,
respectfully recommend him to the patronage ot
his friends and former customers.
GEORGE W. JARRETT.
February 8,1842. 3m
_ hwjuviul
O'AVIXG purchased tiio Stock of GHOCE
- RIES ot Mr. George W. Jarrett, the
Subscriber will continue the business at the
Store formerly occupied by Mr. Jarrett, and will
sell upon the most reasonable terms. Persons
in want of Groceries are respectfully invited to
call. EDGAR VINCENT.
February 10,1842. Bin
10 IHE PUBLIC.
Tailor’s Price* ilcdiiced.
rpilE Subscribers respectfully inform the in-
X habitants of Washington and the Public
generally, that they have removed to the East
side ol the Public Square, where they are pre
pared to make GARMENTS in the most lash
ionable and best style, at the following reduced
prices, for cash :
Frock Coat, corded or bound, $9 50
Dress Coat, do. 9 50
Frock or Dress Coat, plain, 8 50
Gaiter Pantaloons, 3 50
Plain do. 8 00
Rolling Collar Vest, 2 50
Double breasted Vest, 3 00
McGRANAGIIAN & DONNELLY.
Washington, February 17,1842. 3m
Tailoring Prices Pro
HIM IE Subscribers having associated tliem
selves together for the purpose of carrying
on the above business in all its various Branch
es, and believing from their experience in busi
ness that they will be enabled to render general
I satisfaction, would respectfully submit to their
friends and the public the following prices for
Work, by which they expect to be governed
hereaiter:
Fine Corded Coals, Dress f Frock, $9 50
Plain do. do. do. 8 50
Plain Coatees, 8 00
Thin Coals of Bombazine and Corded. 7 50
Plain do. do. 7 00
White or Brown Linen Coats, 4 (It)
Bailor Pantaloons, 3 00
Plain do. 2 50
Double-breasted Vests, 3 00
Plain do. or Rolling Collar, 2 50
Over Coats and Cloaks, each, 11 00
They will continue at the Shop formerly oc
cupied by J.T. Palmer, East sideof the Court-
House Square.
0 -iT REPAIRING and CUTTING done
promptly, and on reasonable terms.
JOHN T. PALMER.
hector McMillan.
February 21, 1842. 20
THE DEVIL AMOM6THE TAILORS,
AND
NO MONOPOLY!
tfftHE Subscriber begs leave to inform the
public and his former customers, that in
consequence of the present Hard Times, be will
make up Work in a Superior Style of Fashion,
at a reduced price for Cash, Hog-meat, Lard,
Meal, Fleur, or Irish Potatoes. Persons wish
ing to patronize a TAILOR that is willing to
comply with the Times can do so by applying to
the Subscriber.
WILLIAM F. SOIIAN.
February 24, 1842. 26
COTTING &, BUTLER,
ATTORNIES,
e'AYE taken an OFFICE over Cozart &
. Woods Store.
January, 1842. 28
■TIOUII months afterdate, application will he
| X made to the Honorable the Interior Court \
i oi Oglethorpe county, while sitting as a Court of t
| Ordinary, lor leave to sell three Tracts oi Laud |
’ in Oglethorpe county, and cue House and Lot in |
j the Town of Elbertou, Elbert county, with thirty ;
j Acres of Lard attached thereto, belonging to i
: the estate of ‘A. Reid, deceased.
REBECCA REID, Adm’x.
LINDSAY 11. SMITH, Adm’r. !
February 24, 1842. m4m 20
TVT OTICE—A ii claim
ii gainst the Estate of /. Reid, late o: Ogle
thorpe county, deceased, will present them prop- j
orly attested according to law, and all those in- i
debted to sad Estate are requested to make im- I
mediate payment to the Administrator.
REBECCA REM), Adm’x.
LINDSAY H. SMITH, Adm’r. |
February 24, 1842. Ot 20
■VIODE months after date, application will be j
X made to the Honorable the Inferior Court |
of Wilkes county, while sitting as a Court of i
Ordinary, for leave to sell a Negro man named
Sang, belonging to the Estate ot Mathew Eaver,
deceased, and sold for purpose of making divi
sion, &c. THOMAS FAVER, Adm’r.
February 3,1842. m4m 23
To the Planters of Georgia.
A PENNY SAVED IS TWO PENCE EARNED.
rriHE Subscriber is now offering to the Far-
X mors of Georgia, “MIMS’ WROUGHT- j
IKON PLOUGH STOCK,” invented by the i
Messrs. Sea torn J. & Marshall Mims, of Oc- I
’ Ichbahan county, Mississippi, and patented by
them. This PLOUGH in every respect is the
‘most desirable P i ,01 HI 11 STO< K ever offered
to a planting community. It combines durabili
ty with convenience—it will last a great many
years without repair or expense, and will admit
of every variety ot Plough Hoes, (three tooth
harrow excepted,) with perfect convenience and
facility—it is not heavier than the ordinary wood
en stock, yet far stronger, and being so very sim
ple in its construction, that liny blacksmith in
the country can make them.
■Sample Ploughs may be seen and tried at Mr.
Dense’s Shop in Miliedgeville ; at Mr. Martin’s
Shop in Sparta, and at Mr. F. B. Billingslea’s in
Washington, Wilkes county. Let the Farmer
examine the Plough, and he will purchase the j
right to use them.
The Subscriber proposes to sell county rights
on the most accommodating terms.
ID ’ All communications on this subject, post
paid, addressed to me at Miliedgeville, or Wash
ington, Wilkes county, will meet with immedi
ate attention. B. L. BARNES,
Agent for S. J. & M. Miins.
January 27,1841. 22
EVERY VARIETY
OF
mm
EXECUTED AT THIS
©FFO 0 E ,
PUBLISHED EVERY Till RSI) AY MORNING.
WASHINGTON, (WILKES COHTV, G A., MARCH JO, 1*44.
Georgia, Wilkes county.
! To the Honorable the Superior Court of said
county.
rill IF, petition of Green P. Cozart, sheweth, tint
Join)G. Woods, ot .said county, did on tlie
eighth day ot January, intlie year eighteen hun
dred and forty-two, make his certain Promissory
Note hearing date on said eighth day of January,
and thereby promised, ten days alter date 01 said
Note, to pay your Petitioner the sum of Three
Thousand one hundred and twenty-eight Dol
lars, lor value received; that to secure the pay
ment of said debt, to your Petitioner and the inter
est to accumulate thereon, the sliid John G.
Woods by his certain deed duly executed, and
hearing date the said eighth day ot January, mort
gaged to your petitioner, Ins heirs and assigns.
Ins two story Brick Store-House, situate in said
State and County, in the Town of Washington,
on the South Fast corner of the Public Square,
adjoining lo r of Thomas Somme , and bounded on
the East by a vacant Lot adjoining A. 1,. Lewis ;
and also the premises on which said Store-1 louse
is built in all their length and breadth, together
with all and singular the appurtenances thereto
belonging.
That the condition of said Mortgage deed is
broken, the whole amount of said principal
with interest from the eighth day ot January
eighteen hundred and forty-two, being still due to
your Petitioner. Wherefore your petitioner
prays that the Equity of Redemption of said John
G. Woods in the said mortgaged premises and
house thereon, may be loreclosed in terms of the
Statute in such case made and provided.
ROBERT TOOMBS, Plaintiff’s Att’y.
February 21, 1842.
Green P. Cozart, 1 In Wilkes Superior Court,
vs. > February Term, 1842.
j John G. Woods. ) RULE NISI.
IT appearing to the Court, upon the reading of
- the within Petition of Green P. Cozart, that
John G. Woods on the eighth day ot January in
the year eighteen hundred and forty-two, made
and executed to said Green P. Cozart, his cer
tain mortgage deed for a certain House and Lo
lying and being in said county ot Wilkes and
State aforesaid, used as a Store-House, situate
on the South East corner of the Public Square,
adjoining the lot of Thomas Seinmes, and bound
ed on the East by a vacant Lot, adjoining A. L. ;
Lewis, for the purpose of better securing the i
payment ot a certain Promissory Note in sc at
mortgage described, and made by said John G.
Woods, as aforesaid ; and it further appearing io
the Court, l hat the amount of principal and inter
est due on -aid Note, remains unpaid, ll is there
fore Ordered by the Court, on motion o! Robert
Toombs, Attorney of Mortgagee, that said John
G. Woods pay into Court on the first day o; the
next Term thereof, the amount due on said Note,
both principal and interes:, and also the cost ot
these proceedings, or show cause why the said
mortgage deed should not bo foreclosed and the
Equity of Redemption of said John G. Woods in
and to said house and premises he forever bar
red. And that this Rule be published in one ot
the public Gazettes of this State, once a month
for tour months, or be served upon the said John
G. Woods, at least three months previous to the
next Term of this Court.
True copy from the Minutes.
JOHN il. DYSON, Clerk.
Marchlß42. m4iu 27
Georgia, Wilkes county.
j To the Honorable Superior Court oj said
County.
rglilE Petition of Francis Timmons, siiewe'.b,
tuat as. Washington, to-wit, in the county a
j fore, aai, John G. Woods on the thirteenth day
| of April, in the year eighteen hundred and tort y -
j one, made Jus certain Promissory Note hearing
| date the day and year last aforesaid, whereby
j said Julia G. Woods, one day after date of said
] Note, promised to pay your Petitioner One
Thousand Dollars, for value received ; that to
I secure said Promissory Note, said John G.
i Woods, by Ins certain deed, duly executed and
1 bearing date the eighth day of January in tne
I year eighteen hundred and forty-two, Mortgaged
I to your Petitioner, his heirs and assigns, his re
i mauling interest in a certain two-story Brick
j Store situated on the South East corner ot the
; Public Square, adjoining iho lot < Thomas
Seinmes, and also a vacant Lo., hounded by A. L.
Lewis, also all of his interest in the premises
on vvliich said Store House was s.tuated; that
the condition of said deed is broken, the whole
amount of said Principal with interest, irom
the time said Note became due, being twill duo
your Petitioner. Wherefore your Petitioner
prays that the Equity of Redemption of said John
G. Woods, iii the said Mortgaged premises and
ffuu.se and Land maybe barred, and said Mort
gage foreclosed in terms of the Statute in such
case made and provided.
ROBERT TOOMBS, Plaintiff’s Att’y.
February 21, 1842.
Francis Timmons, i In Wilkes Superior Court,
vs. > February Term, 1842.
John G. W'oods. J RULE NISI.
J T appearing to the Court, upon the reading of
. tlie within Petition of Francis Timmons, that
John G. Woods, on the eighth day of January, in
the year eighteen hundred and forty-two, made
and executed to said Francis Timmons, his cer
tain Mortgage Deed, conveying to said Francis
Timmons, his remaining interest in a certain two
story Brick Store, and tlie premises on which !
said Store was situated, lying and being in the
Town of Washington, on the South East corner
of the Public Square, adjoining the Lot of Thom
as Seinmes, and bounded by a vacant Lot, adjoin
ing A. L. Lewis, for the purpose of securing the
payment of a certain Promissory Note, (in certain
said mortgage deed,) described, made by said
John G. Woods, as aforesaid; and it farther ap
pearing to the Court, that the amount of principal
and interest on said Note, on said Deed describ
ed, remains unpaid. It is therefore Ordered by
the Court, on the motion of Robert Toombs, At
torney oi Mortgagee, that said John G. Woods
pay into this Court on the first day ot the next
Term thereof, the amount due on said Note, both
principal and interest, and also all the costs ot
these proceedings, or show cause why said
Mortgage Deed should not be foreclosed, and
the Equity of Redemption of said Jno. G. Woods
in said House and premises be forever barred.
And that this Rule be published in one oi the
public Gazettes of this State, once a month for
{ four months, or be served upon the said John G.
j Woods, at least three months previous to the
I next Term of this Court.
True copy from tlie Minutes.
JOHN 11. DYSON, Clerk.
March 3,1842. m im 27
ISonniiiisi/.
rilliE Subscriber proposes to take six or j
I eiglr Young Ladies, or School girls, to j
BOARD, at Twelve Dollars per month—every |
thing furnished, except W ashing. 11 is House I
is convenient to the Female Seminary; liis :
rooms are good, and will not put more than two i
m a room. ,
JOSEPH MOSELEY. ‘
March 3, 1842. 3t 27
sidCiutoUEßs mnim.
rHA HE undersigned, Stockholders in the Bank !
X oi the State oi Georgia to the extent of up- I 1
wards oi Fourteen Hundred Shares, [I4OO, j and <
in number, Thirty, hereby give notice lor a Meet- j i
ing of the Stockholders, to be held in the Bank I ,
of the State of Georgia, in the City ot Savannah, [ (
on W ednesday, the twenty-seventh day of April i
next- The objects of which Meeting are as fol
lows :
Ist. To examine into the nature, kind, and ex- j 1
tent of the debts due to and from the Bank— !
when contracted, when due, and how secured.
2d. To examine the Minutes of the proceed- ;
ings of the Board of Directors, and all the Books,
j papers, and correspondence of the same, both to
and by its officers.
3d. To ascertain if there be any Director or
Directors elected in said Bank on the pari ot the
Stockholders, who are not bum fide, entit led in j
his own right to the requisite number of shares i
to qualify him or them as such.
4th. To revise and amend the By-Laws.
sth. To regulate voting by proxy, in order to i
forbid officers of the Bank procuring, acquiring,
or rating proxies, either to themselves or others, i
titli. To revise the compensation (fixed by the
Stockholders hitherto,) ot tiio President, and |
consider the propriety of reducing the salaries [
and the number of the officers generally, and to j
examine the securities given on their bonds.
7th. To consider the propriety ot applying to
the Legislature to alter and amend the Charter I
of the Institut ion, and in what respect.
Bth. To investigate the affairs of tiie Bank, j
and the management of them, in every particu- .
lar, since the hist Meeting of the Stockholders 1
Inasmuch as no authority exists iu the Charter i
for the voting by proxy, except in elections, all
Stockholders are earnestly requested to attend m 1
I person,and votes on questions will betaken ac- j
cording to tiie scale m the Charter.
The President, Cashiers, ; ml Agents of the j
Branches are respectfully requested to prepare
statements oi each, giving exact particulars ol j
all the assets and property of each, their liahiii- I
ties, &r., &c., to be then and there laid before
tiie Si ckhoidors.
In conformity with the foregoing, they hereby |
give public notice, that a Meeting oi all the !
Stocklsiiders of the said flank ot the Siate ot
Georgia, is hereby called and summoned lo he !
held m the Banking-House, in the City ot travail- j
aah, on Wednesday, the 27th day ol April next,
commencing its sitting at 10 A. M.
('. P. Iticliardsone, Gould & Buckley,
G. If. Hendrickson, James M’Laws,
| N. B. Knapp, G. B. Gumming, Pres't.
i Win. Patterson, Execu- pro tempore Savannah ,
tor Estate of D. Mon- insurance and Trust j
gin, Company,
J. McDonald, James Dickson,
L. F. Harris, Hiram Roberts,
D. R. Rohe, Janet Evans, per AHor’y. |
F. Forcher, C. lb RichardSone,
Luke Christie, J. R Screven,
Francis Foley, Martha Hines,
T.J. i’artiielee, D. O'llyrne,
Joins M. Turner, Ad- John Rradlev,
ministrator of Jacob G. \\ . VVylly, Trustee,
Abrahams, M. llopkins,
IF (). Wyer, Thomas Purse,
i C. Jl. Carhart, Cashier Jas. MM rnvs, Trustee,
j of the .Mechanics James M’Lnvs, Attor-
Bank, ney for W. W. Mont-
James \V r . Davies, goinery, Trustee.
I March 3,1842. 8t 27
| lOl'K monilis after date, application will he
!J? made to the Inferior Court of Taliaferro
j county, while sitting as a Court oi Ordinary, for
i leave*to sell the Real Estate of Robert Olivers,
! late of said county, deceased.
JOEL R. CHI VERS, Adm'r.
Fe rua:y 3, !’• 12. m ini
; GEORGIA, ) Whereas, William Dali is, E.\-
I Lincoln county. \ editor of the Estate of Thomas
j Dali is, Sen., deceased, applies to me for Letters
| of Dismission.
These are, therefore, to cite, summon, and ad
monish, all and singular, the kindred and credit
ors of said deceased, to be and appear at my of
fice, within the time prescribed by law, to shew
! cause (if any they have,) why said letters should j
j not be granted.
; Given under my hand at office, this 6th Janua
i ry, 1842.
’ HUGH HENDERSON, Clerk C. O.
January 20. m6m
GEORGIA : J Whereas, John C. Bird ap-
Wilkes County. [• plies to me for Fetters of
— ) dismission as Administrator
on the Estate of Jonathan Gresham, deceased,
! late of said county.
j This is, therefore, to cite, summon, and
j admonish, all and singular, the kindred and
j creditors of said deceased, to be and appearat my
office within the time prescribed by law, to show
cause, (if any they have,) why said letters should
not be granted.
Given under mv hand at office, this 17tb of
! January, 1642. JOHN 11. DYSON, C. C. <)
Jan. 20 mCm
GEORGIA, I Whereas Bedford Cade, ap-|
Wilkes County. $ plies to me tor Loiters < >l
Dismission, on the Estate o. George W. Mat
thews, deceased.
These are, therefore, to cite, summon, !
and admonish, all and singular, the kindred
and creditors of said deceased, to be and ap
pear at my office within the time prescribed by
law, to show cause, (if any they have,) why said
letters should not be granted.
Given under my hand at office, this mb day of
Januarv, 1542. JOHN 11. 1)\ SON,
( lerk Court of Ordinary
January 6,1842. m<>m _l9
GEORGIA, l Whereas, Joshua Morgan
Willces Count//. j applies to me for Letters of
Dismission as Guardian for John Scott.
These are, therefore, to cite, summon, and ad- j
monish, all and singular the kindred and creditors 1
of said Minor, to be and appear at my office, ;
within the time prescribed by law, to shew cause
(if any they have) why said letters should not be
granted.
Given under my hand at Office, this 14th day
of February, 1842.
JOHN 11. DYSON, c.c. o, -
February 17 nffim
itfferrUanrom
• ■“ I
A THRILLING SKETCH.
From the Adventures of a Range through
Tennessee.
In the fall of 1817, I turned my face
southwards from Kentucky, intending to
traverse the State of Tennessee, and then,
descending the Mississippi, to spend some
months in the great Emporium of the west.
For greater convenience, I journeyed on
horseback which enabled me to diverge oc
casionally from the main route, and to visit
every object of curiosity in the adjacent
country. Passing from cast to west Ten
nessee over the intervening range of our
mountains, I fell into an unfrequent track,
which conducted me into a region of ex
treme ruggedness and sterility. For some
distance, the country had been thinly pop
ulated, and as I advanced, the traces of hu
man industry totally disappeared. .V wild
and cheerless waste expanded on every
side where the genius of famine had fixed
her peculiar domain. The towering and j
stately forests of the valley were here sue i
ceeded by scattered groups of dwarf oaks,
whose stunted growth ami contorted limbs
betrayed the barrenness of tiie soil. The j
annual fires which swept over this deserted j
region were warring constantly even against j
these puny copies of the monarch of the
wood, and many of them cumbered the
earth with their scattered and blackened
trunks, while the thin and blasted tops of j
the survivors envineed that they had felt the j
l withering touch of that powerful < lenient. |
The dark lines of shadow which separated i
: the spurs of the mountains, indicated deep j
ravines channelled by the torrents of a for j
liter age whose steps and broki n sides iv; re :
feathered, with thickets of evergreen, the j
’ shelter and lurking place of reptiles and j
j beasts of prey. Above, the mountain 1
reared its bar and castellated summits in I
desolate grandeur, picturing on the clear I
j blue skv an outline of fallen columns and \
1 gigantic ruins. On the very verge of the j
j rude track that I pursued, vawnod a huge ;
j chasm, whose profound and gloomy reccs- ;
ses the eve sought in vain to penetrate ; i
I and. at th” bottom of this fearful glen was j
heard the faint murmur of a naturae, whose ;
| continuous din was the only sound thai
! broke the appalling silence of the solitude.
I On the other side ofllm narrow road frown
ed a stupendous precipice, whose beetling j
rocks, suspendsd above liis head, threatened
each instant lo enixit the luckless traveller j
or precipitate him into the depths of the op- |
posite abyss. No sound of life enlivened j
the dreary prospect around me, and when j
1 looked up, I could discern the hungry |
: vulture wheeling his boding flight above
I rny head as if anticipating a speedy repast. 1
! It was a scene calculated to fill the mind j
with awe and dread, to conjure up before j
! the imagination horrible images of robbery j
and murder. It was in such haunts that j
I the outlawed ruffian could lurk undisenv- j
j ered, and perpetrate in safety his deeds of
1 blood.
! Though I washy no means timid, thoughts
like these pressed involuntarily upon my
mind, and produced a foreboding of impen
ding danger which 1 was unable to shake i
oil". The sun had now sunk behind the i
ridge 1 was ascending, and the deepening]
gloom reminded mo of the necessity of slid- ]
ter. The moon had not yet risen, and to in
crease the darkness, a bank of clouds that
had been lingering lor some time on the ;
eastern horizon were now suddenly diffused ]
over the firmament. ! had been told that a
house, situated in the gap of the mountain,
! would supply me with accommodation for
I the night and spurring my jaded horse to a
’ brisker pace, 1 endeavored to reach the
promised haven before light had altogether
forsaken me. The fragments of loose rock
which obstructed the way. made rapid mo
tion in imperfect twilight a hazardous ox- :
periment ; and the path soon becoming un
! distinguished in the darkness, 1 was com-,
j pel led from regard to my own safety, to in- :
dulge my horse in a walk. Travelling at
this slow gait lor the space of an hour, j
j which to my impatience appeared an ago. I
i had at length the satisfaction of arriving at
Ia low, and what seemed an extensive buil
ding, situated in a small field. I hailed
j with great vociferation, and was at first an
j svvered onl vbv the harking of dogs, who ap
i peared to he tiie sole tenants of this inhospi
table mansion. At length a man came
from the house, and in a gruff'tone invited
me to alight. Needing rest and refresh
ment greatly after so fatiguing a ride, I dis
mounted without a second bidding, satisfied
that however rude the entertainment, must
be better than a bivouac in these mountains,
i Having seen my horse lodged in an open
j stable about fifty paces distant, and fur
j nished with an abundant allowance ot pro
vender, 1 proceeded to the house. It was
a building constructed of rough logs, and
consisted of two rooms and a passage in front
and a wing in the rear. The cracks, rude
ly closed with plaster, presented many in
terstices, through which the wind and
weather found ready admittance, but even
this imperfect shelter was welcome to the
wayworn traveller through this wilder
ness.
A car! drawn up at the door, announced
the previous arrival of another traveller,
whose cumbrous baggage declared him to
he one of those itinerant pedlers, that the
i restless love of traffic carries into the most
j remote and unfrequented districts of this
j country. I found him comfortably enscon-
I sed in thecorner of the huge chimney, and
I had scarcely taken my seat beside him, be
l fore three men of a most sinister and omin
Ti. J. K A Pl* EX, Printer.
ous aspect entered the apartment. I have
scarcely ever seen more struculoiit looking
fellows. Whether it were the associations
awakened by the dreariness of the moun
tains or the ill-boding physiognomy ot these
men, that suggested the idea, I could not di
vest myself of an undefined bcliel that
some mischief was approaching. Our
host seemed the very stuff - for robbers and
midnight assassins, and I determined to
watch their movements with a wary and vi
gilent eye. Should rny apprehension be
verrified, I saw there was no resource in so
critical a situation but in patience, caution
and courage. 1 always carried a dirk, and
there was a pair of pistols in my valice
which I resolved to take out on the first op
portunity. I could perceive tliatthe ped
lcr had some misgivings ; for he was evi
dently restless and uneasy ; but our land
lords took care to prevent any concert or
communication between us by their inces
sant and importunate attentions.
After partaking of a coarse supper, wo
were conducted to bed. A pallet was
spread out fertile pedlcr in the room where
; we slipped, and 1 was ushered into a sepa
rate apartment which opened into the front
| passage. As 1 passed, 1 noted carefully
I the relative position of the front door and
| that of tlie chamber assigned me ; so that
i should a retreat become necessary in the
night, 1 might effect it without noise or diffi
culty.
When all was still I got up to reconnoi
j tre ; but finding my door fastened in some
wav on the outside, 1 was convinced that,
j foul play was intended. I put on my
| clothes immediately ; took my pistols from
! my valice, and prepared, with my dirk and
[ these weapons, to make a desperate de
-1 ucc. Conjecturing that they intended to
murder me in my sleep, I made up a bun
j die with niv v alice and the coverlid, which
I deposited carefully in the bed as my lo
um t ecus, hoping that in the hurry and the
darkness the assassin might mistake the fic
titious for the real victim. Should there
b no other enemies than the three men I
1 had seen, I believed, that with my means
j o'fd,-fence, I could repel their open assault:
l hut I had heard several other voices in the
j hack apartment, and suspected, therefore.
that the gang Was too numerous to be van
quished by my single efforts. Having
made these arrangements, I took post be
hind the door, with my dirk in one hand
and a pistol in the other, ready to defend
myself, or issue into the ptissage, as circum
stances might render expedient. In this
perilous situation, surrounded as I believed,
by a crew of bloody ruffians, who only
waited the unconscious hour of sleep to ex
ecute on me their nefarious designs, I am
not ashamed to acknowledge, that I felt a
sinking of the heart, a shuddering dread,
which kept my senses actually awake to
the slightest noise to every signal of ap
proaching danger. I had not remained
long ,u this position, when I heard a w his
pering consultation in the passage, and in a
few seconds the door of my chamber was
softly enclosed. Luckily the intruder
brought no light, and motionless and breath
less to avoid discovery, I watched his fur
ther proceedings from my place of conceal
ment. Almost brushing me in his prog
ress, lie stole stealthily to the bed, holding
something in bis hand, which from its faint
glimmer, i supposed to be a knife. Shud
dered at the thought of this man's horrible
purpose, 1 glided softly into the passage,
and, as 1 retreated, heard several heavy
| blows inflicted on the now vacant bed. 1
| saw the pcdler's door open, and heard in his
i apartment the sound of a violent struggle
succeed, dby several deep groans. It was
evident that he was writhing under the dag
ger of the assassin, and that unless I acted
; with great caution & promptitude, the same
I bloody work would he perpetrated on me.
! Fearful that J could not readily remove the
i fastenings of the front door, I shrunk quiet
! ly into an obscure corner, and paused there
1 to deliberate on my next step in this horri
i ble dilemma. While I was in this painful
uncertainty, the murderer returned from
my chamber, and meeting with his compan-
I ion, held him with a brief conversation,
which I distinctly overheard.
Have vou doin fur him. said one?
Yes, was the reply. The thing was ea
sy done. He was fast asleep, and did’nt
even groan. \\ hat have you done with
the pedler ?
j Oh, he’s dead enough ; but the fool was
I awake, and, 1 was wonderfully afraid,
would cry out. 1 kept my hand on his
throat, and stuck him as effectually as ever
you stuck a hog. But where shall we put
the bodies ?
In the Panther’s hole, to be sure. Let's
get a light and call in the others that wo
j raav set about it directly. We can share
| the plunder afterwards.
Saying this, they went into the back
! chamber, where l could discern a feeble
j glimmering of light and distinguish the low
i murmur of several voices. My blood cur
dled at the callous and brutal indifference
with which these ruffians recounted their
deeds of blood. They would soon return
and discover my escape. If they found me
in my present lurking place, they would
know that 1 had witnessed their proceedings
and for their own safety, would destroy me
at every hazard. The moments were pre
, cions, and making a desperate effort, I suc
i ceeded to my great joy in forcing open the
front door. I hurried to the stable, sad
, died my horse in an instant, and mounting,
set out at a rapid pace. The barking of
j the dogs, and the tramp of my horse, ap
j prized them of my flight. I had proceeded
I but a little wav. when I heard distinctly the
[Voi> T iyv: \xvii.
