The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1858-10-20

from the fire, burn ed so dimly, that
; hesisated for moment ; ;all appeare
so unutterably wretched about the hous
that had nervous timidity about az
proachingit am not constitutional
fearful ON the contrary,sI am usual
too prone 20 run into foolhardincss bu
now, whether it. was the soaking or tb
veal, ] felt horribly nervous. a mo
ment, however, sufficed to recover me
and walked across the yard and knock
ed boldly at the door. All remaine
perfectly quiet in the house, except tha
fancied could hear the growing of
huge dog, like distant thuuder; then
Knocked again somewhat loudly, and
dog began barking violently. At th
same time, however, I bad the satisfac
tion ef hearing footsteps approach th'
door.
who is without p voice was heard
! saying, in execrable .Jewisb-G erman
is it you, Benjamin ?''
'Fis stranger I shouted, fearing
lest any hesitation might render my
friend inside suspicious L want shelter
for the night, and will pay you hand
somely for it,
Are you alone p the voice asked
! again. Quiet. Nero down, dog what
do you mean by growing when did
not order you to watch him p
'AlI one, but as wet as if l bad
been dipped in the river
You'd be clever to keep yourself dry
this day. he said, as he pulled back the
bolts, and opened the door cautiously
Come in-the dog won't hurt you when
I am with you What weather! Come
to the fire and. dry yourself
He walked iu front of the fire, stirred
up the smouldering wood, an d threw
few sticks upon it. All this while /
could notice he was taking quick, sharp
giances at me then he went up to my
knapsack, which had laid on chair.
appeared to feel its weight for a mo-
meut, and brought il up to the FIRE to
dry as well as myself
'Aed you are brngry, too, suppose
out for pleasure, eli Youug blood
young blood y and be griuncd in man
ner to me quite diabolical. He then
went to the table, spread a very dirty
table cloth, oD which he placed loaf of
black bread, stuck knife into it, and
then produced a large green glass jar,
containing the much desired fluid. AZ
ter fiiling an iron saucepan with hot wa
ter, and putting it On the wood. he quit
ted the room for awhile. During his
absence. | surveyed the room III which /
was seated, ard the very sight of il
made me uncomfortable. It was desti-
tute of furniture, contrary to the usual
fashion of the peasantry, aud / shudder
ed iuvolGItariIy. Dat, nonsease, it
could ouly be The cold ard the moisture !
the fire was drawing out of my clothes
and yet. for all that, I began 10 wish
had trudged on through the rain. And
then that immense dog that lay close to
the fire place, ard kept its small, sus-
picious eyes fixed upon me. Aud the |
walls were sbiping with grease aud SCOT,
and the small cnpboards fixed against |
them, and shelycs-. Bat heavens |
l could hardly suppress a cry of surprise
when my eye fell on an old old mummy |
like woman, who rose frem the dark |
corner where she bad probably been
sleeping, and walked towards me and the
fire. She was model of ugliness and
disgust, this old woman with her tangled
masses of gray hair hanging over her
forehead aud temples, her suuken cheeks.
hollow eyes, and wrinkled neck, as she
stood there shivering with cold, and
stretched OUT her thin, bony hands to
the fire. l fell back step to give the
old creature room, but on my first at
tempt to quit the chimney place the
log growled, and, as turned toward
hin, his eyes sparkled so wildly that
thought it advisable to stay where l
vas, aud not anger him unnecessarily
The woman now turned her face to me,
md after gazing 6xedly at me for mo-
nent, whispered few hurried words i'll
! language of which did not under
tand a syllable.
'What pity 1 thought to myself,
[ did not understand a little Hebrew.
then looked carefully at the old wo
nan, trying to fnd out from her gest-
res what she really meant Again she
'egan her whispering, turning her head
Imidly towards the door, and pointing
t the same time to the table.
I can't understand you4' said, in
he usual ratois, hoping she would un-
erstand me at any rate.
Hush = the croue said, quick aud
earfuliy, holding up her finger in warn
Dg; at this moment the door opened,
I'D the Jew on seeing the old woman
y my side, went up angrily to her, and
poke harshl7 in the same unknown
ongue. The woman crept timidiy
way, wrapped herself more closely in
er old cloak, and lay down again in
er corner. The Jew then slid pleas
ntly enough TO me,
Don't brother about the old girl
he's quiet and harmless, hut not quite
light here be said, pointing to his fore
ead when we are alone let her
10 much as she likes, but when stran-
.ers visit me, which is seldom enough,
he must keep in her corner. But here,
10 added, in louder voice, SIS some
hing for you to eat-bread and Nun
ter cheese L lately brought from Stras-
'ourg, and famous glass of brandy,
rh ich will do you more good, | fancy,
han ali tie rest; the water will be hot
" this time. All, I see it's boiling,
nd III mix you glass of punch in the
nean@hile. So, now, go to the table
nd begin
I was really almost starving, and yet
could not swallow anything. That
dog had his eyes still fixed
o dangerously upon me.
THE dog won't hurt you,' said tue
lew, calmly; 'he is only not accustom-
d to strangers
But if | had stirred while you were
ut of the room, he would have sprung
t me- | said, rather angrily.
/