Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1842-07-14
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE FIDDLER OF THE TTLL.HGE.


1t was nearly night, when Johnny. who
was irotting brskly homewards, overlook
a stranger within mile or two of the vii
lage. lie was tall. slim man. mounted
on high. strong, bony horse; but he was
so muifled up. from top to toe, that our
hero could not tell whether he was old or
Young, gentle or simple. His hat was
covered with an oil -cloth his legs were
enveloped in ample wrappers of coarse
cluth /; he was booted and spured. and O.
yer all be wore one Of those uucouth but
comfortable COATS. fabricated out OF
green AIatkinaw blanket, which are so
common .sn the Mississippi. fiis horse
was covered with mud, and evidently tin
ed. Ills own appearance was way-worn
and weather. beaten. lie seemed to have
travelled far, and faced many storm.
Before him were pair Of large holster
pistols; behind him. roll, containing
his >ortout and umbrella and across the
saddle. pair Of immense saddle-bass.
fastened with a brass paddock.
Johnny. who had all the tsdtiler's won
ted love of company, and was particular
" ayerse to riding alone in the dark.
trotte1 up a,on" side Of the stranger. and
accosttd him with cheerful Good eve
ming
The traveller nodded stililj, without
drlgning to turn his head.
Johnny gazed wistfaily at the jaded
rider, the tired nag the Mackinaw blan
kef. the leggins, aud other fre,'s. aswe
say IN the West. and wondered who this
could be. that was so strangely ACQUIRED,
and was too prouti To return a ciyIlsala-
tat:on. Determined to satisfy his curl
nsity, he tried to commence a conversa-
ton, by making some-plaln remark about
The weather; but. rs this ELECTED no 9th
e. reply than cold .monosyllable, he re-
solved TO make bold push, and come to
The point at once.
You seem to be travelling, MISTER
said he.
You have guessed right replied the
traveller.
Have you travelled far, if IFS fair
question ?
'Toleraily.'
Nov, this reply seemed to our hero
most perp!exingfy inexpIicit. 'Tolerab-
~ might comprise ten miles. or twenty.
or hundred. but it could not apply to
long Journey. He took another look a.
the leggins, the pistols, and the green
blanket coat, and. edging UP to the stran-
ger, thought he would try it again.
We'll, mister said he. If naought
make so bold, where did you come froms'
Just back here was the saeonic yePly.
From Oneida ?
mo; farther back
From CataraugusF'
NO. farther back
Johnny considered moment--lor his
stock of geographical knowledge was but
sfender-and again pushed his enquiries.
i guess, may be, you came all the way
from Buffalo :,
NO; farther back
Johnny scratched lis head, in some
Amusement, and edged off from the strar-
ger, as if fearful he had fallen into bad
company; but his curiosity overcoming
every other feeling, he continued-'W
| don't know as any body lives any far.
Their off than that. If | mougM make SO
free, what's back Of Buffalo ?
Ohio
"-o--b! yes. sure enough! So you
1--we in Ohio:'
No; farther back
SWELL, what's back Of thats'
"Indiana.'
80! you live in Indiana?'
..No ! DON'T
4 guess you don't live at all..' exclaiin-
ed JOHNNY trembling all over. for it was
now growing dark, and the tall stranger,
who seemed to have ridden so hard and
SO far, appeared to deny being an inhabi-
tant of this world. But Johnny thought
he would try another question.
We'll. mister. if it's no harm, what's
back Of IndianaI'
Missouri
DO you live thereP'
Yes
JOHNNY absolutely started, and stood
u in his sfirrups, and cold chill ran o.
yer him; for the Conversation was brought
20 dead stand by this reply, with a
shock resembling that with which a
steamboat. under rapid way, is checked
by snag. But he had located the stran-
ger; and, after drawing long breath, he
exclaimed,
well. I'm glad ONT. an alsaost
out Of breath in finding it out. don't
know how you stood il to travel so far, it
must be long way off. How far is It,
sir, It its fair question:
Something over thousand miles.
And now said the stranger, las have
answered all your inquiries, I hepe yeu
will allow me to put few questions to
sou.'
u certainly
DO Won live in this village:s'
.Yes-I was born here
What's your husinesss'
I'm gentleman.
What does your father do for living?'
'Nnthiug.'
What is he p
Hes a dead man.