The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-09-15
5rIfftel artulps.
A Thrilling Adventure.

mat there Is sometimes a remarkable
strong sympathetic connection between
ones sleeping ideas and the wakcrul mo-
tives of Others:
fiVe-and-twenty years ago, as was re-
turning home one evening from st. Ccre,
was overtaken by storm. was on
horse-back; and my horse alarmed at the
nan and lightning, became restivc. and re-
fused to go step in advance. dis
mounted, and taking the rcins, ATTEMPTED
to urge him forward, when fortunately, I
perceived lights. l proceeded towards
them, and at length reached Il miserable
novel; Upon raising the latch, discover
cd n man and woman covering over
wretched fire, and employed in wcavint
baskets,
Good evening to You, friends" I said
IN the dialect of the country; "but sorry
weather this"
The denizens Of the hut cast on me
look anything but gracious; however that
caused me but little concern. | asked
them to make me little room by their
hre, assuring them | was willing to meet
any expense might incur, and proceed
cd to tnow heap of faggots on the en-
berS without the slightest ceremony.
do you take lis for Im-kccpcrs?" in
quired the female, in shrl tone.
| took out my purse and gave her u
frank piece. The sight of the coin molified
her ut once.
"Ah!" said the horrid old witch, 81 sec
3 you are good gentleman and Il kindn-
and she resumed her task. The storm.
however, ragged with undated violence
The gale threatened to carry away the
hoveI, and my horse stood ncirhinr and
paving the ground under the shed where
had fastened him. 1t was id'c to think
of venturing forth, vet could scarcely |
reckon upon finding sleeping apartment
III that miserable abode.
"Well, sir" said the woman, it would |
be a sad thing to 90 beyond doors on such
night as this. We are but poor folk. !
and have no bed to offer you, worthy such .
Il fine gentleman; but if YOU don't mind .
gong up there (pointing to ladder and
a kink Of garrett at any rate You'll be
able to keep yourself dry"
Somehow, the womans look did not
please me Mt all. However, there was no
help for 1t; besides which, was fresh from
the army, and no milksop; so I clambercd
up forthwith. then stretched my cloak
ON the worm eaten boards that composed
the floor; and spite of storm and wind was
soon fast asleep. Strange enough, but |
! had scarce fallen fast asleep ere | must
take it into my head to set about dream
ing. ] imagined myself snugly seated in
this very chimney-comer with the girl of
my heart at my side, when, on Il sudden:
perceived surging high above her head
a face grizzly to behold. 1t was the same
that graced my gentle hostess of the hov
cl. She had hatchct in her hand, and
made as though to strike me. | stroye TO
rise and take flight; but in vain, my limbs
refused their Office. On my examining
them more closely, discovered that they
were severed at the joint. The change
thus suddenly wrought in them, had the
effect of arousing me from my slumbcrs,
and dispclling the fearful vision. At any |
rate, wake up | did, and found myscifstiil !
IN the garret, with my head pillowcd on
my cloak. ! bent my head to listen if [ .
could hear aught; but save the howling of
the storm, all was silent Somehow or
other | could not rid myself of the pain
tul impression occasioned by the drcam.-
1t struck me to indulge in a peep through
one Of the many chinks in the rotten,
worm eaten floor; and accordingly, pro-
ceeded to take an observation Of how mat
ters might be passing lelow. The man
and his wife were still bending over the
fire, but they had discontinued there work
and were conversing in whispers.
Il tell you there's more money in that
purse than you could earn during your
lifetime" said the female.
'Well, what then." said the man.
"What then? Why, take it, to be sure!
Catch tight hold of his legs, and mind
the rest of him follows then; then pitch
him down the hole, and leave the rest to
me-" showing mason's mallet in her
hand.
"And when that's done, what's to be-
como of him next?" inquired her husband.
"We'll lay him down somewhere on the
road, and folks will think thai he was kill
ed by fall from his horse' And as she
spoke she extinguished the nondescript
sort of lamp used by the pcasantry in
those parts.
The fire was long since out, so could
see nothing. They continued to whisper.
but in such low tones as to b.. inaudible,
trust am not greater coward than
my neighbors; still, [ own felt very much
from comfortable, for, be it remembered,
that had not It single offensive weapon
about me. For moment | considered
the notion of jumping down the trap-door.
and clearing the ladder at a single spring,
but SAID ladder was very ricketty, and had
missed my footing, heaven alone can tell
what would have been the result. More
over / had but brief time for reflection.
for | suddenly felt slight vibration at the
trap-door, which made me shudder from
head to foot.
The man was climbing the ladder. and