The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1857-05-07

service for at least hundred years, ano
examined the number.
"This is the place, 1 suppose" said he
fretfully. And he stepped back and
looked up at the house. Then he ap-
preached the door and searched for bell
or knocker; but Of neither of these appen-
dages could the house boast First he
raped with his knuckles, then with his
cane. But no one responded to the sum-
mons. He looked up and saw lights in
the window. So he knocked again and
louder After waiting several minutes at
the door, and not being admitted, Mr..
Grim tried the door and found it unfasten-
ed: but the passage into which he step
ped was dark as midnight. After knock
ing on the floor loudly with his cane, a
door opened above-a gleam of light fell
on an old stairway, and rough voice
called out:
"Who's there?''
"Does Mr.. Dyer live here?"
"Beshure he doesp' was roughly an
swered.
.Will you be kind enough to show me
bis room?"
you'll find it in the third story back, !"
said the voice impatiently.
| The door was shut again and all was
dark as before.
Mr.. Grim stood irresolute for few mo-
ments. and then commenced groping his
way up stairs. slowly and cautiously
Just as he gained the landing on the Sec
ond fight, stifled scream was heard in
one of the rooms on the third floor, fol-
lowed by sudden movement, as if two
persons were struggling in murderous
conflict. He stopped and listened, while
chill went over him. A long shudder-
ing groan followed, and then all was still
again. Mr.. Grim was about retiring,
when door opened, and the child who
had called for him came out with can
die in her hand. The light fell upon his
form, and the child saw him.
"Oh, mother, mother!" she cried, ssMr.
Grim is here''
Instantly the form of woman was
seen in the door. Her look was wild and
distressed and her hair, which had be-
come loosened from the comb, lay in
heavy masses upon he shoulders.
''For heavens sake, Mary! what's the
matter?" exclaimed Mr.. Grim, as he ap-
preached the woman.
"The matter!'' She looked sternlv at
the visitor. ''Come and see!" And she
pointed into the room.
A cry of unutterable distress broke
upon the air and the woman sprang back
quickly into the room. Mr.. Grim hur-
ried after her. By the feeble light of the
candle, he saw half clothed man crouch
ed fearfully in corner of the room, with
his hands raised in An attitude of de.
fense.
Keep Oft keep off, say!' he cried
despairingly. ooh! oh! oh! it's on me,
Mary! Mary! Oh, Lord help me! help
me!'
AS these broken sentences broke from
his lips, he shrunk closer and closer into
the corner, and he fell forward writhina
upon the floor. By this time his wife
was bending down over him, and with
her assuring voice soon succeeded in qui
eting him.
''They've all gone now, Henry" SAID
she, in tone of cheerful confdence-as
sumed at what an effort! "I've driver
them away. Come! lie down upon the
bed"
"They're under the bed," replied th.
sufferer, glancing fearfully around
eyes, yes! There! I see that blackes
devil with the snake in his hand. He'
grinning at me from behind the bed post
How he's going to throw his horrible
snake at me! There! oh!-oh! h!-oh!
The fearful despairing scream that is
sued from the poor creatures lips, as b
clung to his wife, curdled the very bloc,
in the veins of Mr. Grim, who had com
pretended the meaning of the scene.-
e Dyer and his wife were friends of othe
: days. With the latter he had grown u
from childhood, and there were man
reasons why he felt an interest in he
d Her husband had learned drinking an
idleness in his bar-room many years be
n fore; and more than once during th
j. time of his declension, had she called ur
on Mr.. Grim and earnestly 5esought hil
Il to save the one she loved best on cart
from impending ruin. But, he had el
d tered the downward way, and it SCENE
a that nothing could stop his rapid progress
f. Now he met him after the lapse of t.
,e years, and found him mad with Il
a drunkard's madness.
j. The scene was too painful for Mr. Grir
l. He could not bear it. So, hurried
n drawing his purse from his pocket,
threw it upon the floor, and turning fro
at the room made his way out of the hous
trpmhIlnO in avarv narvo Wbar bo ,