White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-11-26

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was plentiful.
As rode up to the door, Mr.. Groome himself
came out He was tall, gaunt man with fiery
red head, and face as coarse as it was ugly
But was surprised when heard his voice. |
had expected a tone like the below of bull;
but instead of that his notes fell upon nv ears
like the speech Of woman. He smiled as he
spoke, and l thought to myself how his appear.
ance would deceive any one, for in conversation
he seemed a different man.
informed him that was on my way to Eos
ter's mill. and could only stop long enough to
rest my horse and get some supper. He gazed
into my face some moments without speaking,
and finally said:
"Ah-yes-humph."
When he turned into the entry and called
Ike" Ike came-a tall, strapping youth q
one or two and twenty-with a red head and fea-
lures such as could belong to no one but a child
of my host. I" Ike " took my horse, and Mr..
Groome led the way to the "sitting room" as
he called it. 1t was rough but comfortable and
the furniture consisted of 4 pine table, a ma
hogany bureau, and four long pine benches which
we're set against the walls. There were no chairs,
these benches being sufficient to accommodate
quite an assomblage. ... .--I car
GrOome asked me if would like something
warm. supposed he meant whiskey and told
him no. He said / had better take a little
'tWould do me good. But / assured him never
used it-that felt better without it.
" But do you mean that you never drink whis-
key7" he added, with elevated eyebrows.
"Never"' told him. -
Brandy, s'posei or mebby rale old gin7"
pursued my host. .-
"No," replied. al don't use stimulating
drinks at all.' -frH... ...
You don't2" burst from his lips, while he
eyed me from head to foot. oval, stranger, I'd
give son'thii' for your pictur to hang Up in my
house. Never drink! How in marcy's name
dye live! How dye contrive when you get wet
and celd?" .re. - grir. '-.s "a
"Why," said /, with smile, al get dry
again as soon as possible" .y..E .,.f. B..
"Dry, my sakes, should think 'twould be an
everlastin' dry Never drink. wal-here I've
lived year in an year out, goin' on to fifteen
year, an you're the filst man ever seed as
wouldn't drink bit O. whiskey on the top of a
long journey. Fact-stranger-'tis by thunder"
told him thought it very probable, and he
then went, and heard him leave the house.
In half an hour my host came and informed
me that supper was ready. He led me to a back
room, where a table was set quite respectfully,
the dishes being of blue ware, and nearly new
He and Ike sat down with me, and as saw them
attack the various articles Of food felt assured
there could be no poison in them. The meal
consisted of boiled potatoes, fried bacon and new
wheat bread, and did ample justice to the re-
past
"You think you must go on tonight" said
my host, while we were eating.
eyes," told him, wish to see my friend,
and l shall gain considerable time by reaching
his place tonight"
"Is he expecting YET" Groome asked.
"No," answered. ----rr Dr..
"Perhaps he don't know that you're in this
section at all7'
90 No, he doesn't" said; and expected that
my host would urge me to stay with him until
morning, so had my answers all prepared.
But l was mistaken. He didn't urge any such
thing. On the contrary, he said he thought
was wise in my determination. He would like
my company, but it would be better for me to
push on. / was quite relieved.
1t was quarter to seven when my horse was
brought to the door. took out my wallet and
asked what was to pay. "Halfa-doIlar."
paid it, and asked which was the most direct
route.
"You see that big tree, just over the barn
there7"
"Yes," said.
"wal. that's right in the best road. When
you strike that, you can't miss the way"
"But isn't there another road7-one which
follows this stream right down to the millsl''
asked; fer I had been informed by the young
man who had taken charge of my horse at noon,
that Groome's inn was right by the very stream
which gave Foster his mill power, and that the
road followed the stream direct.
"oh," said my host, turning and looking of
towards the stream, " tnat ROAD am III 70 uaFel
now. Tother ones the best"
"But what's the matter with til" asked.
"Why the bridges are all washed away, and
then there's been windfalls acrOs't. l tried it
last week, and had to come back. The upper
road Is a matter Of q mile or two furder, but
that's nothing. Your beasts good for 1t, ]
guess"
1 told him nv horse would stand it well
enough, and then asked where the other road
struck the stream.
"Abous three miles this side of the mills, s.
he replied.
"It's all clear and directl" ..l
"Yes. You can't miss the way"
Ibade my host goodbye, and then started on.
I didn't like the idea Of q new road at all. The
youth before mentioned had tsld me what an
excellent road it was from Groome's to the mill
BY the river road. He said he followed the
stream, which was very near straight, and that
il was light and open the whole distance. How
ever, of course, Groome knew, so ! must make
i the best of t. i looked back as reached the
f edge of the wood. was upon gentle eni-
nenee, and could overlook the shrubbery had
passed. looked, and saw Ike going from the
houss TO the barn; he had saddle upon his arm.
} was sure IL was saddle-perhaps be had IN
GRAND to Do.