Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1857-12-10

Then there was a barn short distance off,
with piggery connected. Take it alto
gether, it was quite place for such To-
oality. A small stream ran close by, SO
that water was plentiful. =. 80
AS I rode up the door, Mr.. Groope him
self came out. He was tall, gaunt man,
with fiery red head, and a face as coarse
as it was ugly. But [ was surprised when
I heard his, voice. I had expected tone
like the below of bull but instead of that
his notes fell upon my earlike the speech
of woman He smiled as he spoke, and
thought to myself how his appearance would
deceive any one,' for in conversation heseem-
| ed different man. ef{f HH.'.'i.3
| I informed him that was on my way to
Forests mill, and could only rest my horse
and get some supper. He gazed into. my
face for some moments without speaking
and finally said:
/ "Ah-yes-hump D. se:s.3
.Then he turned into the entry and call
led e.Ike Ike came-a tall, strapping
youth of one or two and-twenty, with rec
head and features that could belong to M
one, but child Of my host. ''Ike" took my
horse and Mr.. Groope. led the way to the
sssitting room" as he called it., Il was
rough but comfortable and the furniture
consisted ola pine table, a mahogany bureau
and four~leng pine benches which were sci
against the walls. There were no chairs,
these benches being sufficient to accommo-
date quite an assemblage.
Groope asked me if I would like some
thing warm? I supposed he meant whis-
key, and T told him no. He said [ had
better take a little 'twouId do me good
But assured him never used it-that
felt better without it.. =.
s'But do you mean that you never drink
whiskey?' % be added, with elevated eye
broWs &. :.
Never" J told him. s.h s. u.aa
Brandy, [ s'pose; er lmebby rale old
gin p pursued my host. - . .#f.. i.'''1
NO" Ireplied II don't use any stim-
u1ating drinks at all. y s...t. -. a.
"You don't'' burst from his lips, while
he eyed me from head to foot oval,
stranger, I'd give sun'thin' for your picture
to hang up in my house. Never drink !
How in marcy's sake dye live? How dye
-A.>l -AA Il =, ----
.Why, said I, with a smile, II getdry
again as soon as possible"
sDry,my sake,-I I should think 'twould
be an everlastin' dry! Never drink l.
Wal-here I've lived year in and year out,
goin' on to fifteen year, and you're the fust
man [ ever.seed as wouldn't drink a bit o.
whisky on the topeof a long journey. Fact
t-stranger-'tis by thunder p ,~-9 50 =
I IR4d him I thought, it very probable,
and Men he went out, heard him leave the
In half an hour my host came and inform
| ed me that supper was ready. lie led me
| to back room, where table was set quite
respectfully, the dishes being blue ware and
nearly new. He and Ike sat down with
me, and as I saw them attack. The various
articles of food, I felt assured there could
BEN poison in them. The meal consisted
of boiled potatoes, fried bacon, and. new
wheat bread, and did ample justice to the
lrepast. "- :55tss's'7'e 49, -. .: -.
you think you must go on to-night?'
said my host, while we were eating,
s.Yes,' / told him. 81 wish to see my
friend, andI shall gain considerable time
by: reaching his place tonight" -
| = Is. he expectin' ye p, Groope asked.
ssNo, u answered. -sa5 ats
s'Perhaps he don't know that you're ii
this section at all" -. ---.s5 -.
#..sNo he doesn't" said: and I expectel
my host would urge me to stay with hin
until morning, SO I had my answers, all pre-.
pared. ~ an $780,, ,..ssss3a=1 -
But was mistaken He didn't urge any
such thing On the contrary, he said ht
thought T was wise in my determination. =
He would like my company, but it would
be better for nae to push on. [ was quite
relieved. - -''--5..
! :. It wanted quarter to seven when, my
horse was brought to the door. I took ou
nay wallet and asked what was to pay p
"Half dollar" I paid it and then ask
ed what was the most direct route -
You see that big tree, just over the barn
a."Yes," said. - r. ~. s2te
"Wal, that's right in the best road. -
When you strike that you can't miss the
way" ~ s5@ esle'i @s.5 ,as
zHBut isn't there another road, - one
which follows this stream right down to the
mills 2" I asked, for I. had been Informed
by the young man who had taken charge
of my horse at noon. that Groope's inn was
right by the very stream which gave Forest
his mill power, and that the road followed
the stream direct. z4,.. - i l.ss.s.5 -
"Oh," said my host, turning and look
ing off toward the stream, "that road ain't
fit to travel now. T'other ones the best u
But what's the matter with it p [ ask
led. :.
why the bridges are all washed away
an then there's been windfalls across't. ]