The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-09-10

SAID the stranger, ~ ulii sorry tVrtaFS uoth~
ing but words 70 repay you for your kind
ness." /
Mrs.. Eaton who was most generous and
kind hearted woman. could not listen 10 the
thanks Of the stranger, and was very thank !;
full that she could accommodate any one.
The stranger was invited 10 take a seat by l
the FIRE which he readily accepted We will |
venture to describe him as he looked on en-
teringst the room. He stood about six feet
high, and was dressed ina long rock OF
coat which reached the knees, and his legs
were closely fitted BY ya pair of black stock
lings, which were ofnamented at the tops by
wooden strings Of rather an indistnct color.
His hair was long and Of a dark gray. The
general expression Of his face was pleasing,
but like Cassius he had lean and hungry
look, that spoke Of "tre6sons, stratagems,1
and spoiIsp M
"There's some one here see who likes
good reading,p said the stranger, taking the
family bible from the table.
eyes, we could not do without that book, J"
.l|replisd Mrs. Eaton. sIt has been in the
family many years, and every day love j
}more and more"
HAlthough Edo not read it much myself
said the stranger. u always like to see il
fsrit reminds me Of younger and happier
days.
j "Hist!p exclaimed mary, ~ hear voices
approaching the house!" sl !.
7 A loud laugh was that moment heard, and
the sound Of voices now became audible.
/ aWho can they be Z" said Mrs Eaton, in
low voice 10 her daughter. She had hard
lily time for an answer, however, before a
i, knock was heard upon the door, and then
f another, another, and another! si,S.
"Open quick, we are almost freezing"
said one of,the company rather hastily
4. aHaw exclaimed the stranger, suddenly
starting up, ga party of skinners!'
i aOh, dear, they'll kill US, won't they
motherf" said little Tommy, burying his
!, head in his mothers lap,
!, 'sI,'s not the first time they have been
! here" J" said Mary, taking down her fnther's
u old rusty sword from behind the door. GAL
though have but little strength it's wo-
mans !nand she unconsciously s'struck an at Z
Il titude," which weuld have been -creditable
to hero.
"Do you hear US open; we are almost
dead with the cold!'' shouted new voice.
"When you can speak little move po-
Ilitely, you shall come in,v said the stranger,
taking up the chair he was sitting upon, and
/, going toward the door
sThere's man lying dead in the road q
4 few rod below ihe house," said onein a sep
!, ulchral voice. s
i ~And he's not been murdered long, Ell
ther,r said another, before the words were
} hardly out Of his companions mouth,
+ IA man murdered in tho roadm exclaim-
!, ed Mrs, Eaton.
j "a man murdered in the road!" repeated
j Mary
sit is only a story Of their invention,'
+ said the stranger,
"We have dagger that we took from his
! body" said one ofthe party, who had now
I opened his lips for the first time.
II As he spoke, the stranger, as we must de-
y sgnate him, turned deadly pale, his lips
Il quivered, andhis limbs shook violently.
i aOpen the dooror wewill burst it in!pex-
b claimed one who seemed to be the leader.
: as he spoke, heavy knock was heard against
II the door, and the next momentit flew open,
, and four men rushed in, who seemed to be
! more under the effects Of drunkeenss than
u the weather.
j In second the stranger recovered himself
and made the chair Qhe only instrument Of
4 defence he had) fly about like madman.
u Mary kept one furious looking fellow
Il at bay with her fathers swSrd, and her moth
er and sister Margaret we're not behind
Tin using couple Of hickory clubs.
Finding it useless to cope with such a
q force nnder present circumstances, the
ssskinners'' soonmade good their retreat, be-
ling considerably damaged by the engage
ment, ift two or three broken arms and noses
are worthy of consderat
After some time spent in getting things
ssto rights" again, they onco moro seated
i themselves round the fire, anxiously waiting
4 Mr.. Eaton's return. The stranger resumed
his seat in the corner, and took the family
bible from the shelf as he did so.
1 "Tis strange he comes not, said Mrs. Ea-
ion addressing Mary. ip
i s'Tis very strange was the reply.
4 "He never staid so late before,n contin-
ued Mrs. Eaton and looking impatienty at
1.-THE clock. IS
Asomething important keeps him, | am
positiyen
9Some accident ~ ss;
( aNever fear; he's travelled The read too Of
lten TO be molested now"
| Just then allow murmuring sound issued
| from where the stranger was sitting, and on
looking up they discovered that he had fall
/ len asleep. His head was bent over, his