Litchfield enquirer., 1855-04-19

wooded level, we were rewarded by coming oh sort of road. It was, indeed, noth- ing more than the track of hoofs upon the turf; but we were in ecstacies at its appear ance. After pursuing it for half an hour. we saw before us a house among the trees. It was cheerful sight to us, and we gave a shout of joy. We soon reached it. It was long building with low walls. but a very high matched roof. At one end was a kind of round tower which seemed much older than the rest of the structure. Itmight at one time have been much higher tlian 1t then was, but in its actual state it scarcely otertopped the gable built against it. |. We'll, we came up to the door, and knock ed. It was opened, after short delay by a young girl. The evening shadows were closing in, but even by the imperfect light we had, we could see she was very beauti- ful. We asked if We could be accommoda- ted for the night, and she answered very readily that we could, but that we should have to sleep in one room, and that we must be content with poor suppes We'll, after some talk, we went in. all glad to shelter except Macdonald, who would fain have pushed on to Arnstadt, which the girl told US was distant only about two hours walk. Entering by a short passage we passed into kind of hall. Here we heard the French man who had preceded us, say, "Come along, my beauty, and show us the cham Der where we are to sleep, for suppose it is there we are to sup too. have been trying all the doors, and not one of them will open."
 "This way, gentlemen" said the girl, 1 | had taken hold of her hand, and opening one of the doors. "That is your grandmother, 1 suppose," said Macdonald, pointing to figure bending over small fire which was expiring on the hearth.
 Good evening, my good woman, you seem to feel chilly;"' continued Macdonald, and as he addressed these latter words to the crouching creature, he made step as if he would approach; but the girl quickly grasping his arm, whispered in his ear, "Do not disturb her. Since my fathers death she scarcely ever speaks to any one but me. She is very old and feeble. Pray, leave her alone"
 Macdonald threw penetrating glance at the girl, but said nothing, and he and fol- lowed her along a passage some twenty pa- ces in length, and very narrow. At the end of it was another door, and this opened into the chamber we were to occupy. 1t was a round room, and we immediately guessed that it formed tho under story of the tower we had remarked. The girl brought lamp and we found that the furniture consisted of table and some stools, large press, a heap of mattresses and bedding, few mats of plaited straw and a pile of firewood. The most curious thing about the place, howev- CT, was strong pole, or rather mast, which stood in the very centre, and seemed to pass through the roof of the room. This roof, which was at considerable distance from the floor was formed ia thing had never seen before, J of furze-bushes supported upon slender branches of pine, and appeared so rickety as to threaten every moment to come down about our heads. On questioning the girl, was told that the mast supported the outer roof, which was possible enough.
 In the first place." said Richter, the German from Jena, when we had seated ourselves, and the damsel seemed 10 wait for orders, :" is this an inn, or is 1t not ?"
 You may ses, gentlemen" replied the girl, "by the scantiness of the accommoda- ton, that it is not exactly an inn. Never theless, you can make yourselves at home as if it was, and welcome"
 "Good. Then in the second place, have you any wine !"
 Plenty. We sell good deal to the foresters who pass here often, and so have always supply"
 Where is it!" asked Macdonald.
 Below, in the cellar"
 "very we'll" replied he. "I and two l nf ,,S x..;u da.vr oud holn vou fo bring up dozen bottles or so, if you will show us the way"
 Certainly" said the girl.
 While Macdonald and two of the others were absent with her, conirived to light a 1 fire, and the Frenchman. on exploring the press, having found that it contained plates, knives and forks, he and the Pole laid the table; so that when the others laden with bottles reappeared, the place had somewhat of more cheerful look.
 "They have not had time to drug our wine, at least," whispered Macdonald to Eme.
 Pooh, my friend" returned I, "you are far too suspicious. You will smile to-mor- row at Ina sing such ideas."
 "We shall see," said he.
 Presently the girl brough, in some bacon. some eggs, and piece of venison. These we cooked ourselves. staying our appeti'es, in the meantime, with bread and wine.- Then we made hearty supper and became very merry. Richter and the Pole piled the bottle vigorously, while Laurenberg and the Frenchman vied with each other in somewhat equivocal gallantries to the dam scl. As for Macdonald, he wore an expres. sion of mingled resignation, vigilance and resolution, which made me uncomfortable, knew not why.
 | When VIC had supped, smoked few pipes, and finished our wine. we began to make our beds. As we were so occupied, the girl came in, and offered to help us. = We readily consented, for we were tired enough. In short time she had made six beds on the floor. Why do you lay them all with the heads to the middle of the room !" asked Macdonald, observing that all the pillows were arranged round the mast in circle, and as near as possible < This is the way always do." said she with careless air. But she did not suc-