Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-02-23
THE INTREPID MOTHER

uiIc cfCHIuS, .Jubt dltoi uoihj oo'o AaAP ooJoh"
the little town of Lauvray, to set an hglsh Ia
dy and her child at lonely roadside Auberge.
Mrs. Martin expected to find carriaeready to
take her to Chateau de Senart, &tance of
some leagues, whittier she was repring on
visit but was told it had not arriva. The
landlady, a tall, course looking wonn, who
showed her into the vast hall that scral at once
as sitting room and kitchen, observdathat the
roads were 50 muddy and difficult at 3ht, there
was little chance of her friend arriviE before
morning
You had better, therefore, said 81, make
up your mind to sleep here. We hte good.
room to offer you, and you will be 4 lich more
comfortable between pair of clean wi fm sheets,
than knocking about in our rough cbntry, es-
pceially as your dear child seems sicily.
Mrs Martin, though much fatigled by her
journey, hesitated. A good nigss 1rest was
certainty tempting prospect, but she felt So
confident that her friends would not neglect her,
that for moment she replied thank you, mad
ame,I will sit up for an hour Or SO Us not late,
and the carriage may come, after all. Should
it not, shall be glad Of yonr rom which
you may prepare for me at any rate
The hostess, who seemed anxious that her
guest should not remain in the great room, sug-
gested that fire might be made above, but Mrs.
Martin found herself so comfortable where she
was-a pile of faggots was blazingOn the hearth
that she declined first to move Her daughter,
about five years of age, soon went to sleep in her
lap, and she herself soon found that while her
ears were anxiously listening forthe roll of car
riage weels, her eyes occasionally closed, and
slumber began to make its insiduous approaches,
In order to prevent herself in giving way, she
endeavored to direct her attention to the objects
around her. The apartment was vast, and
lighted more by the glare of the fire than by the
candle stuck in filthy tin candle stick, that
stood on one of the long tables. Two or three
huge beams stretched across half way up the
walls, leaving space filed with fitting shad-
ows above. From these suspended rusty gun
or two, a sword, several bags, hanks Of onions,
cooking untensis, &c. There were very few
signs that the house was much visited, though n
pile of old wine bottles lay in one corner. The
landlay sat some distance from the fireplace with
her two sons, who laid their heads together and
talked in whispers.
Mrs. Martin began to feel uneasy. The idea
entered her mind that she had fallen into a nest
Of robbers; and the words C'est ele,' (it is
she) which was all she heard of the whispered
conversation, contributed to her alarm. TIE
door leading into the road was left aiar and
for moment she felt an inclination to start VI
and escape on foot. But she was far from any
other habitation, and if the people Of he house
entertained any evil designs, her attn]ps would
only prccipitate the catastrophe. So she resoly-
ed on patience, but listened attentiyely for the
approach of her friends. All she heard was the
whistling of the wind, and the dashing of the
rain which began to fall after her arrival.
About two hours passed in this uncomforta
bic way. AT length the door was thrown open
and man dripping wet came in She breathet
more freely for this new conner might frustrat,
the evil designs of her hostess, if she entertained
any. He was IA red-haircd, 'ovial faced looking
man, and inspired her with confidence by til,
frankness and ease of his manners
"A fine night for walking cried he, shaking
himself like dog who had scrambled out of
pond. What have you to give me! Saht
Messieure et Mesdames l am wet to the skin
Hope disturb nobody. Give me bottle o
wine
The hostess, in a surly, sleepy tone, told he
eldest son to serve the gentleman and then, ad
dressing Mrs. Martin, said
You see your friends will not come, and 70,
are keeping usup to no purpose you had bette
60 to bed!'
Il will wait little longer was the reply
which enlicited kind of shrug of contempt
The rcd-haired man finished his bottle of wine
and then said:
Show me room, good woman-I shall slee
here tonight =
Mrs. Martin thought as he pronounced thes
, words, he cast protecting glance towards hel
and she felt less repugnance at the idea of pas
ing the night in the house. When, therefore, ,th
=, red-haired man, after polite bow, went u
stairs, she said that as her friends had not Al
y rived, they might as well show her to her bee
room.
. Il Thought it would come 70 that at last
: said the landlady. Pierre, take the lady
: trunk up stairs
> In few minutes, Mrs Martin found hersc
;, alone in spacious room, with a large fire burr
ing on the hearth. Her first care after putin
. the child to bed, was to examine the door
J closed only with latch. There was no bolt il
side. She looked about for something to barr
cade it with, and perceived heavy chest
! drawers; fear gave strength. She half lifte
= y half pushed it against the door. Not contel
- with this, she seized table to increase h
defence. The leg was broken, and when 81
: touched it, fell with a crash to the floor. A lor
echo went sounding through the house, and 81
:" felt her heart sink within her. But the eel
died away and no one came; 50 she piled tl
= fragments of the table upon the chest of dra1
'O ers. Tolerably satisfied in this direction, 81
10 proceeded to examine the walls. They were g
20 papered, and after examination, seemed to co
81 tain no secret door.
Mrs Martin now sat down into chair,
think on her position. As was natural att
having taken all these precautions, the idea su
lg gested itself that it might be superauoas, al
W she smiled at the thought of what her frien
would say if she related to them the terrers OF
st night. Her child was sleeping TRANQUILITY,