Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1828-08-09

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herman or not, more than ovor reioced that |
had thus easily got rid of him.
| - now rodo briskly on to small nn that was
situated about half way between the commence
ment aud end of my journey, and arrived there
ABOUT hall past eight O'Clock. On aghtpg, the
ho'', ia' Johy fellow, with perpetual smile on
MS lace, came out and welcomed me- Shew
me into private room,' said |, and bring me
some relreshment ; the landlord replied no was
very sorry MS only room was at present occupied
ny gentleman who had been there about ten
minutes, but he was sure he would have no OBJ
lection to my company. He departed to obtain
his permission, and rcnrned with the oentlen,au's
compliments, and that he would be most hanny
IN my company: so | followed mine host TO the
| room Dut what was my confusion when ON
opening the door, L discovered seated the mvs,e-
| rous stranger, whose presence had before ca,,sea
me such annoyance sort of chilIncss instant
| iy came over me, and would have retired. when
'he stranger got up, and bowling politely, said he
vas exceedingly happy to accede to my request of
allowing me to occupy the same ROOM and at tho
same tms handed me chair. 1t was impossible
ior me now to refuse; thanking him for his
offer seated myself, and, as before said hsin.r
rather chilly, asked him if he had any object ton
TO hre Immediately perceived strong al
teratoa in his features but it was only momS,,,-
ry; he instantly covered himself and said chat
Tor ms part his cloak, pointing to one which buna
on the back OF the chair, was quite enough for
MN, however cold tho weather minht be and ,d.
ded, If would put it on for one momen, he
was sure should be Warm enough then, had
sort OF distinctive dread of this cloak and / de-
I.",eu not 10 put 1t on; so starting up, rang
the bell. and the landlords enterino asked b;s
PERMISSION to make a fire. The STRANGER bowsd
MS mead, and liking his eyes on the wall remain
cd silent. The landlord, L observed, rubbed his
hands as he went out, saying this was one of the
coolest nights he had felt this wear.
While they were about preparing to light the
i'e 'ne Stranger sat quite silent; for my part /
so' coiuer anu colder; sort of melancholy chill
ness seemed to pervade the place the large clock
that was In the room had stopped from some cause
or othcr about ten minutes before | arrived and
and OH the maid coming in, though before mer
ry, cheeriul-lookng damsel, she presently became
I'D melancholy and as grave as either Of U.s. esDe
ciaiy as, alter numerous attempts sha was obi
ged TO confess her inability to light the fire II
was now very cold, SO the landlady cam, and did
her best endeavours to light Il fire, but in vain
afterwards the landlord, boots, hoser, and the
cook, who never having been out of a perspration
FOR ,he last ton years of her life was nearly killed
by the sudden effect of the cold she experienced
on coming in to the room; last of all mvscIftr;ed
but unsuccessfully. They all looked surprised
and tho landlord observed it was very strange
1t was not so cold, he was sure any where cIse
The stranger all this time remained az quiet and
immoveable as before
l now desired the landlord to bring in tea bo-
ping by that means to warm myself When the
tea things were brought, the stranger drew a chair
Tor himself TO the table, and requested T would
make tea; [ desired the maid to pour some wa
ter into the teapot, from kettle which she held
III her hand, apparently just from the fire how
ever, on pouring In some water no steam arose
so Tar hom 1t, the water appeared to be scarceiy
warm. questioned her what she meant by if.
and how she expected could make tea with cold
IN nr1 cl,nI Il.
kitchen fire, and she did not know how it could
get cold since. then told her to take the teapot
and tll 1t from the large kettle which she assured
me was boiling on the kitchen fire; she returned.
and on my fitting 1t up TO pour the tea it ran
gently down for few moments and then con-
gealed into long icicle! Tbs maid looked first
at me and then at the stranger, and then went
quickly out of the room.
remained some time sitting, intently gazing
on the stranger, who sat with his dull heavy eyes
still lntenty fixed on the wall [ can scarcely des-
crlbe what felt. | shook so dreadfully both
with fear and cold, that could hardly keep nv
seat-my teeth chatiered-my knees shook
IN short began TO fear that if stayed any longer
l should be frozen to death. At length he no.
ticed my confusion, and starting up, he again
said, perhaps l would accept of his cloak Now
was really dying with cold, and the cloak looked
SO warm and so tempting, that could not help
eyeing 1T wlstully : this the stranger perceived,
and, opening it, showed the lining, which was OF
the finest lambs wool, looking infinitely warmer
as well az softer, and more comfortable than any
thing had ever seen. He then in the most OBJ
liging manner, requested that l would put it on,
adding, in his own expressive way, he was sure |
should be 1oarm enough then l felt myself wa
vering; but summoning up my resolution, de-
termIned would not yield so quitting him alb
ruPtly, ordered my horse, and being resolved,
once and Tor ever, to quit this odious stranger,
mounted as quickly as possible, and putting spurs
70 his side, Tor heard the stranger calling loudly
Tor ms horse, gallopped the whole of the way
nome; and can safely swear that nothing what
ever passed me the road
Now, said at any rate have dlstanced him :;
and Knocking at my door, it was quickly opened
by my wife, who had been anxiously expecting
me. After our usual salutation, she informed me
l should meet an old friend up stairs who had
been waiting my arrival. With an old friend
good bottle of wine. and a warm fire. said ],
can fofset every thing and fastening up stairs