July 1, 1826 James Orton stepped off the stagecoach and connected in New York. He planned

to spend the night in a public house, and in the morning, once his trunk arrived, head

northeast to the town of Stillwater. But when Joseph woke up the next morning, he found

that his trunk never arrived. Instead, it went to Albany. When Joseph arrived in Albany

two hours later, he learned that his trunk yet again was not there. This time, it was on

a steam ship heading to New York. Joseph decided to stay at a boarding house on South Market

Street until his trunk was returned to him. After three days, Joseph received the trunk,

but it wasn't his. At this point, Joseph needed work. He was running out of money.

After traveling to Greenbush, Joseph met a man by the name of Otis Bates.

Otis owned a tavern in Albany and offered Joseph work in a place to sleep.

Finally, after a few days, Joseph's trunk arrived, and he left for Stillwater. At the time,

it was called Saratoga. But he came back to the Albany tavern. He should have stayed away.

If he had, things would have ended up differently for him.

On the evening of August 10th, Joseph was helping Otis around the tavern when two women

came through the door. He knew one of them as Maria Van Renslayer. She came in often,

but the other woman he didn't know. She was absolutely beautiful.

Spritely playful and giddy, laughing as she pushed Otis around the room, dancing.

He was bewitched by her, and he wanted to know more. That night, after closing up the tavern,

Otis and Joseph went upstairs to the room they shared. While laying in bed,

Joseph asked Otis what Spritely Girl that was below. He paused a moment before adding,

I should like to sleep with her. Otis laughed and told him,

you never know until you try. He certainly tried and to new avail.

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