Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-03-21
0leasant Stories,
THE UNKNOWN GUEST.

OSE pleasant evening in the month of
June, in the year IL, Il man was observed
entering the borders OF "a wood, near the
Hudson River, his appearance that OF
person above the common rank. The in
habtanls Of country village would have
tliguitied him with the title oil esquire" and
from his manners pronounced him proud;
but those more accustomed to society, would
inform you, that there was something like Il
military air about him. His horse pauted
as if it had been hard pushed for some miles;
vet, from tie owners frequent stops to caress
the patient animal, he could not be charged
with want Of humanity, but seemed TO be
actua,ed by some urgent necessity. The
rider torsaking good road for bye. path
leading through the woods, indicated
desire to avoid the gaze o.! other travellers.
He had not left the house where he inquired
xhe direction of The above mentioned path,
before the quielude of the place was broken
by the noise of distant thunder. He was
soon after obliged to dismnunt, travelling
becoming dangerous rs darkness concealed
surrounding objects, except when the llgntn-
ing flash afforded him momentary view of
his situation A peal ouded and of longer
duratiou than any of the preceding, which
now burst over his head, seeming as if it
would rend the woods asunder, was quickly
fiollowcd by a heavy fall of rain that pene.
trated the clothes OF the stranger ere he
. could obtain the shelter OF large oak which
sstood at little distance.
Almost exhausted with the labors Of the
day, he was about making such disposition
of the saddle and his over-coat, as would
enable him to pass the night with what COM
t;Eort circumstances would admit, when he
espied a light glimmerug through the trees
Animated with the hope Of better lodgings
>he determined to proceed. The more OBJ
stacles the farther he advanced, the soil be-
ing composed of clay, which the rain had
rendered so soft that his feet slipped at every
step. By the utmost perseverance, this diff
Guilty was finally overcome without any
accident and he had the pleasure Of finding
himself in front OF decent looking farm
house. The watchdog began barking,
which brought the owner Of the mansion to
the door.
w no is tnere Sdlu ne.
ga friend who has lost his way, and in
search Of a place of SHELTER" was the an
swer.
"Come in, sir" added the speaker, and
whatever my house will afford, you shall
have with welcome"
81 must provide for the weary companion
of my Journey" remarked the other.
But the former undertook the task, and
after conducting the newcomer into room
where his wife was seated, he led the horse
to wellstored barn, and there provided for
him most bouuliuIly. On rejouing the
traveller, he observed, "That is noble ami.
nal of yours, sir.
eyes," was the reply, "and | am sorry
that was obliged to misuse him so as to
make it necessary to give you so much trou-
bic with the care of him; bnt have to thank
you for your kindness to both Of US"
al did no more than my duty, sir" said
the entertainer, "and therefore am entitled
to no thanks. But Susan" added he, turn
ing to the hostess, Nth a half reproachtnl
look, "wby have you not given the gentle
man something to eatF
Fear had prevented the good woman from
exercising a well,known benevoence; for
robbery had been committed by lawless
band Of depredators, but few weeks before