Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-01-07
a GbriIling 5ketfI).
THE INTREPID MOTHER.
A THRILLING SKETCH.

The diligence from Paris 10 Chalons
stopped one evening, just after dark, some
miles beyond the little town of Rouvray,
to set an English lady and her child at a
lonely roadside Auberge. Mrs Martin ex-
p-cteo TO find carriage ready to take her
10 Chateau de Senart, distance OF some
leagues, whittier she was repairing on
visit; but was told it had not arrived
The landady, tall, coarse looking woman,
who showed her into the vast hall that
served at once as sitting room ard kitch-
en-, observed that the roads were so muddy
and Difficult. at night, there was little chance
of her friend arriving before moining.-
"You had better, therefore," said she,
"make up your mind to sleep here. We
have good room 10 offer you, and you
will be much more comfortable brtween a
pair of clean warm sheets, than knocking
about in our rough country, especially as
your dear child seems sickly."
Mrs. Martin, though much tatigued by
her journey, hrsitated. A good nights
rest was certainly tempting prospect, but
she felt so confident that her friends would
not neglect her, that after moment she
replied ''thank you, madame, | will sit
up for an hour or SO, it is not late, and the
carriage may come, after all. Shonld 1t
not, shall b. glad of Your room, which
you may prepare tor me at any rate"
The hostess, who seemed anxions her
guest should not remain in the great room,
suggested that fire might be- made above !;
bu, Mrs. Nj. found herself so comfortably
where she was pile of toggets was bla-
| zing on the hearth-that he declined al
at first to move. Her daughter, about five
| V, ars vi age, soon went to s'r-p in her lap /;
| aud she herself found that while her ears
were anxiauslv listening for hr roll # car
riage whrrls. her 'y's Occasionally closrd
aud slumb.I began 10 make lis insIdions APP
| proachrs.
In order TO proven, herself from giving
away, she endravored to direct her ai,rn-
ton to the ohjrc:s around her. The apart"
mrnt was vast and lighted NOR. by the
glare OF The fire than by the dirty candle
stick stuck into filthy tin candlrstick,
that stood on one oil the long tables. Two
or three huge beams stretched across hall
way up the walls, leaving space filled
with fighting shadows abnye. From these
dsPended rusty gun or two, a sword, sew
ersl bags, hanks OF oniuns, cooking uten-
sils, &c. There We're very few signs that
the house was much visited, though pile
of old wine bottles law in one cornrr.-
| The landady sal al some distance from the
fireplace with her two sons, who laid
their heads together and talked in whis-
pers.
Mrs. Martin began 10 feel uneasy. The
idea entered her mind that she had fallen
into resort of robb-rs ;-and the words
"C'eSte eHe," lit is she.) which was all shr
heard Of the whispered conversation, con-
iributed 10 her alarm. The door leading
into the road was lett alar; and for mo-
| ment she felt an inclination 10 start up and
escape on foot. But she was far from any
other hatilation, and if the people of the
house entertained any evil designs her at
tempt would only precipitate the caiaslro-
phe. So she resolved on patience, but lis
tened attentIveIy for the approach of her
friends. All she heard was The whistlng
of the wind, and the dashing of the rain
which had begun TO fall Just after her ar
rival. aal
About two hours passed in this uncom-
Portable way. At length the door was
thrown open and a man dripping wet came
in. She brraihrd more freely; Tor this
new conner might illustrate the evil designs
of her hostess, if she entertained any. He
was red haired, jovial faced looking man,
and Inspired her with confidence by the
frankness and ease OF his manners. ID
/ "A fine night for walking !" cried he,
shaking himself like a dog who has scram-
bled ont of pond. "What have you to
give me : Salute, messieurr, et mssdamcs.
am wet TO the skin. Hope disturb no.
body. Give me bottle OF wine %
The hostess, in a surly, sleepy tone, told
her elder son to serve the gentleman and
then addressing Mrs Martin, said :
"You see vour friends will not GENE,
and you are keeping us up TO no purpose
You had better 90 10 bed"
II will wait little longer" was The
reply; which ELECTED kind of shrug Of
contempt.
The red haired man finished his bottle
of wine. and then said te.p4a