Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-08-18

NO, SAID the landlord, bet died about
two years since: Zeb carried on the farm
alone till short time ago, when he was
lonesome like, and as he never had any
children, and didn't seem to wish to mar-
ry again, why about two weeks ago he sold
his farm and is going to York State where
he has a brother
He's boarding here at present, then p
said Dodge
Yes
'AL said Dodge, as his eyes twinkled
merrily again and taking his leave and
candle, retired to bed.
The night being sultry, nearly all the
chamber doors and windows of the lodgers
rooms were open for free circulation of
the air. The rooms were arranged on Ell
ther side of long entry, at one end of
which was flight of stairs communicat-
ing with broad entry below.
Dodge was hardly esconsced before he
heard the heavy step of uncle Zeb,' who
was coming to bed. the party having brok-
en- up, and he finished his last pipe 1t
was not long before he heard the measured
breathing and occasional snoring that
came from his chamber proclaimed that
uncle Zeb' was in the land of dreams
Creeping cautiously from his couch,
Dodge donned his inexpressibles, and glid-
ed softly across the corridor to the room
of his opposite neighbor The moon had
now sunk behind the hills, and all was
profoundly dark and still, with a careful
movement, Dodge inserted himself be-
meath the sleeping man S couch then, af-
ter listening to see that all was quiet, he
reached up between the head of the bed
and the wall, and gave three distinct
knocks on the head board
Hey halo come in, said uncle Zeb,
starting from his sleep
But all was silent
Sure / heard knock said Zeb, in a
half frightened tone, as breeze swept
through the old elm in front Of his window
with a melancholy moan.
just then, another low but distinct
knock was heard, and a shrill but we'll re-
membercd voice, apparently from the cell
ing over his head, exclaimed
'Zeb O, Zcb 7
lord bless me- exclaimed the old man
/ trembling with fright, while the promise
of the Rochester ladies', that he should, at
some future time converse with aunt Bet
sy, flashed upon him. Lord bless me,
but it's her voice Then in a quaking
tone be asked
80, Betsey, is it you p
'Ycs, you sinful crcetur,' was the reply,
! does not my voice make your flesh creep 2
Ieb remembered that it often had when
living aud he shuddered 20, Zeb, you
wicked creetur, you, what are you com
IN to to think of your selling the farm,
and trying to marry another woman 2
'As | live, said Zeb, honestly, Il never
thought of another
You lie, you villain ? said the voice in
shrill tone
Hush hush said Zeb, anxiously
hush you'll wake some one up in the next
room
%, you wicked being, I'll haunt you
for this, sobbed the voice
But said Zeb, beginning in pitiful
tone
No such thing you scoundrel,' was the
reply, get up and follow me, and you shall
have the proof
'Zeb tremblingly got out of bed, and
felt his way into the entry, from whence
he could now family hear the voice telling
him to come along you villain He had
not proceeded far ere he stumbled against
pair Of boots that lodger had placed
outside his door.
Halo, there, said the aroused iudivid-
ual
Zeb said nothing but proceeded eau
tiously on, raising his feet very high for
fear of encountering another obstacle
and scarce had he proceeded ten steps ere
he put his foot down heavily into a wash
pitcher that bad been set outside Of anoth-
er room. His foot had been forced so sud
denly through the narrow neck of the
pitcher into the broad lower part that in
his hurry and confusion he found it i'm
possible to cxtricate himself He made
two or three stumbling steps forward
tripped at the head of the stairs and fell
down them with terrible clatter. How
much injury uncle Zeb might have sus-
tained had he struck upon the hard floor,
is not known, but fortunate for him, a large
/ barrel of home made apple sauce stood at
/ the foot of the stairs. and into this the
/ head and shoulders of the unfortunate in
/ dividual were plunged, the force of the
| fall bringing it over and completely del
uging him With its contents.
+ OF course, this terrible clatter aroused
the whole household-night caps popped
out Of the half open doors, and men in a
/ very simple costume, made their appear
ance to ascertain the cause of the uproar
/ One individual with one boot and half his
( pautal0cns. and candle in his hand, rush
I ed from a side door as Zeb regained his
feet, and with the aforesaid boot trod bold
/ ly and heavily upon Zeb's coTns.
+ Groaning with anguish Zeb struck a
straightforward blow at the fellow, who,
+ however. ducked and avoided it, but the
landlord suddenly appearing, Keb's fist
missing its aim, fell like a sledge upon his
F. (the landIord's) nose, and the three be
coming entaugled, and the floor being slip
perry with apple sauce, they all went down
together.
The lights now approached the scene of
disaster, and curses, groans, and shouts Of
laughter filed the house
( At the head of the stairs, however, stood
. Dodge. arrayed in pair of duck trousers,
and holding lamp in his hand, his quiz