Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-06-03

| wen my aOlllty 10 calculate distances
But keftup good heart and went on
until was quite certain had mistaken
my way, or been misinformed in regard
to the distance. concluded i. would be
best TO keep the road | was in until !
reached some habita,ion.
In short time | was glad had made
the resolution, for saw light CLEANER
ing from cabin. | approached il as
soon as possible. II was rather above
the medium size. though, could be
accommodated there very well. Ii had the
appearance Of being very comfortable
within. | knocked for admission. The
door was opened by man.
Now | am not a person to believe in
presentments, misgivings and all that sor,
Of thing, but certainly saw something
in that mans countenance that did not
like, the moment | set my eyes upon
him. told him believed had lost my
way, and was under the necessity of ask.
ing accommodations. After hesitaiing a
moment, he asked me to enter. A tall
female was seated in corner near a
rock fire place. She seemed busy in
watching peice of meat Kissing over
the fire. ltstruck me had never seen
a more apathstic countenance than here.
She might be forty years old. Her face
was remarkably long, and wrinkled TO a
degree to excite curiosity. Her nose
was sharp and skinny, as was indeed
her whole face. The head gear was
wholly indescribable and beneath i, grey
hairs were visible. Her entire dress
was unlike anything had ever seen.-
| could hardly keep nv eyes on her.
She, as well as the man, glanced eagerly
at my pack as | laid i, down. The lat.
ter was coarse looking person, whose
countenance appeared more indicative of
rapaci,y than villiany.
To my questions he replied very civ
lily, after had entered and he had got a
view of my person. learned from him
what | had suspected for the last half
hour. that had taken the wrong road.
A kind of ,elegraphing took place be-
tween the two, after which was inform
ed could stay. This did not appear to
me very great favor, since | had a
chance to observe my host and hostess.
The mea; upon the Goals was set up
on the table at length. was invited to
pariake of it which did with my host,
who had been absent, and had returned
few minutes before my arrival. Dur
Ing my repast, Lion took his station by
my side, receiving portion as he al
ways did. .a.
When had finished, drew away
from the board, and taking paper from
my pocket pretended to be busy reading.
glanced up occasionally from under
my brows, and was startled to see the
apathy of the woman, as well as that of
the man. wearing off rapidly. Her eyes
grew animated, and in unison with his,
glanced at the dog with evident dissa,is-
faction. ... q. ...
Presently nodded over my paper,
like sleeping person. Instantly the
manner of the two persons became more
alarming. Finally the tall hag lifted my
pack and weighed it in her hand as well
as she was able. Her eyes flashed like
a serpen,'s, for il contained large guam
tity of specie, besides valuable jewellery
and costly silks. l always made prac-
,ice of putting my silver money in a bag
and deposising i, in corner of said pack,
bu, my bills were placed in belt which
| wore next to my skin. ... s.. ..
Alter she had done This she motioned
for him 10 come and lift it, which he did
with apparently as much satisfaction as
his other half had experienced.
He then opened the door softly, and
motioned the dog to go out. Though |
have no doubt but Lion understood the
pan,omine as well as any body, he did
not offer to stir but lay at my feet as
quietly as ever. AT last the old hag grew
impa,ien. and shook poker at him.
Lion showed two rows of white teeth,
aud uttered a low growl. The pantomi-
mes ceased in an instant. The door was
closed and the poker returned to its place.
| stirred little. They were quick to
observe me.
"a fine dog" said the man, thinking
il probable might hear it. .I reckon
he wants to get out, he growls as though
hl did,"
A pause followed this remark. He
though, | might order him out. but ! did
no such thing
"Nice dog" the woman added after a
moment, .nice dog" and then she Of
fered him piece of meat, and attempted
10 fondle him. Contrary to her expec-
ta,ions, Lion utterly refused the meat,
and put an end to all familiarity by show
ing his teeth again in very testy man
ner.
This was very strange for him, nev-
er before knew him to refuse meat when
il was offered him. Had Lion shared
my suspicious! Had his instinct taught
him that the hand outstretcheG was not a
friendly one!
BY this last hostility Oh the part Of my
dog, the bag seemed not little discon-
certed. She retreated almost behind my
char, and shook her skinny fist at him;
bul he did not condescend TO expose any
uneasiness at that rather decided and en-
erge,ic expression of her feelings.