Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-01-21

httle-twould do me good But l assured
him | never used it-that felt better with
out it,
But do you mean that you never drink
whiskey ?" he added, with elevated eyebrows.
Never !" told him
Brandy, s'pose or mebby rale old gin?"
pursued my host
NO" replied 81 don't use stimulating
drinks at ALL"
=" You don't ?" burst from his lips while he
eyed me from head to foot Wal, stranger,
I'd give sun'thin for your pictur to hang up in
nv house Never drink How in mercy's
name dye live ! How dye contrive when We
get wet and cold p
why" said /, with smile, i get dry
again as soon as possible !"
:" Dry, my sakeS, | should think 'twould be
sn everlaStin' dry Never drink Wal
here I've lived year in an year out goin' on
to fifteen year, an you're the fuSt man ever
seed as wouldn't drink bit O whiskey on the
top of loag Journey. Fact-stranger-'tis,
by thunder y
| 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 3 table was set quite res
pectably, the dishes being of blue ware, aud
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 poi
son in them The meal consisted of boiled
potatoes, fried bacon and new wheat bread
and did ample justice to the repast,
" Iou think you must go on tonight ," said
nv host, while we were eating
Yes | told him, " wish to see my
friend, and | shall gain considerable time by
reaching his place tonight.
" Is he expectin' We ," Groome asked.
" No" | answered.
" Perhaps he don't know that YOU re in this
section at all >"
&c No, he doesn't" said and 1 expected
that nv host would urge me to stay with him
until morning 50 | had my answers all pre-
pared
But | was mistaken He didn't urge any
such thing. On the contrary, he said lie tho't
[ was wise in my determination. He would
Ike nav company. bu; il would be better for
me to pR>h on | was quite relieved.
1t was quarter to seven when nv horse
was brought TO the door took ont my wal
let and asked what was to pay. Halt-a-doi
lar" | paid it, and asked which was the most
direct route.
You see that big tree, just over tue barn
there ,"
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 road :-one which
follows this stream right down to the mills ?"
| asked for | had been informed by the
youag man who had taken charge of my horse
at noon, that Groom's inn was right by the
very stream which gave Foster his mill power,
aud thar the road followed the stream direct.
Oh said my host. turning and looking of
towards the stream. that road amt fit to
travel now. Tother ones the best
Bat what's the matter with il - | asked.
d" Why the bridges are oil washed away,
an then there's been windfallS acrost't. ]
tried it hast week. and had 10 come back
The upper road IS a matter OF mile or two
furder, but that's nothin'. Your beast is good
for it, gueSs.'
| told him my horse would stand it well
enough, and then asked where the other ROAD
struck the stream.
About this three miles this side Of the
mills, j" he replied
Its all clear and direct p
Yes. You cant miss the way
| bade nv host good bye, and then started
on. | didn', Ike the idea of new road at
ell. The youth before mentioned had told me
what an excellent road it was from GrooneiS
10 the mill by the river road. He said he
followed the stream, which was very near
straight. aud that it was light and open the
whole distance However, Of course, Gcooae
knew SO must make the best OF il. ! look
ed back as reached the edge OF the wood. |
was upon gentle em;nence. and could over
look the shrubbery | had passed. l hooked,
and | saw Ike going from the house 10 the
barn be had saddle upon his arm. l was
sure it was q saddle-perlaps he had al er-
rand to do
Ere long entered the wood. and found II
thick and gloomy. The path vas plain enough
and hal evidently been ST some time travel
ed road Aye-I remembered, now, Of haT-
in- heard my informant OF the no0ntide speak
Of the old road He said there used 20 be
4 road leading 70 Rock River, but when Eos
ter commenced his settlement. and rev road
was opened by the stream, and the old one
discontinued He hsd said nothing about any
bridges
At the distance Of two miles. | came TO s.
place where bed Of sand Isy across the road.
1t was sort Of gully, snd = stream must al
some time have run there looked, but saw
no track upon it. Water had swept acCoss
since any living animal had trodden upon il
| slid from nv saddle and examined thorough
IL. bat could iad no tracks
OF coarse the father Of nv nOonumes host
could not have gone this way, And vet be
had goue 20 Posters Mills began 10 SuS-
pect mischief There bsd been II uneaSy sen
sation lurking in my bosom ever since / left
the inn Something was wrong | regsined
nv saddle snd looked sbo1t. The sun was
nearly dcwn-in tweBty minutes, st the far
thereS., il would be oct of sight.