Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-02-07

Oh anotner. And the next minute he entered,
ushering In the Rev. Mr.. Goodwin, the parish
minister Of Bethlehem, st. Mary's.
"HOw do you do' How do you do? Glad
to see you sir, glad to see you, though obliged
to receive you in bed Fact is, 1 caught a
cold with this severe change of weather, and
took warm negus and went to bed to sweat
1T of! You'll excuse me, Wool, draw that
easy chair up to my bedside for worthy Mr.
Goodwin, and bring him a glass of warm ne
gus II will do him good after his cold ride. -
thank You, Major Warfeld l will take
the seat, but not the negus, if you please, to-
night"
Not the negus! Oh, come now, you are
joking. why, 1t will keep you from catching
cold, and be most comfortable nightcap, dis
posing you to sleep and sweat like baby of
course you spend the night with us?''
thank yeu, no. must take the road
again In few minutes"
alive, 1t Is midnight, and the snow driving like
all Lapland!'
sir, am sorry to refuse your proffered
hospitality, and leave your comfortable roof
tonight, and sorrier still to have to take YOU
with me- said the pastor, gravely
Take ME with you, No, no, my good sir |,
No, no; that is too good joke-ha han'
sr' L fear that you will fnd it a very seri-
Gus one! Your servant told you that nv er-
rand was one of imminent urgency ?"
Yes, something like life and death"
Exsctly-down in the cabin, near the
Punch Bowl, there is an old woman diving"
There, knew it. I was just saying there
might De an old woman dying. But, my dear
SIR, what's that to me? What can do ~
humanity, sir, would prompt you"
But, my dear sir, how can help herr T
an not physician to prescribe-"
She Is Tar past physicians help"
Nor am 1 priest to hear her confes-
sion"
Her confession God has already received. u
will u ~ N"" up nef
"No, sir; but you are recently appointed
one OF the Justices Of the Peace for Allegheny.
Yes; we'll, what of that That does not
comprise the duty of my getting up out of NV
warm bed and going through a snow storm to
see an old woman expire
Excuse me for insisting sir; but this is an
ofncial duty" said the parson, mildly but
firmly "N'
"IH-lll throw up my commission to-mor.
row." growled the old man.
Tomorrow you may do that, but mean.
while, to night, being still in the commission
OF the peace, you are bound to get up and 90
with me to this woman's bedside -
And what the demon is wanted of me there?,
TO receive her dying deposition
TO receive dying deposition, Good Heay-
en- was she murdered, then?'' exclaimed the
old man, in alarm, as he started out of bed and
began to draw On his neither garments.
BE composed-she was not murdered ,,
said the pastor.
"Well, then, what is it? Dying deposition
1t must concern a crime" exclaimed the old
man hastily drawing on his coat.
1t does concern a crime
what crime, for the love of heaven ?"
Il am not at liberty to tell you She will
'wool, go down and rouse up Jebu. and
tell him to put Parson Goodwin s mule in the
stable for the night. And tell him to put the
black draught-horses to the close carriage, and
light both the front lanterns-for we shall
have dark, stormy road-Shut the door
you Internal II beg your pardon, parson,
but that villain always leaves the door siar
The good parson bowed gravely; and the
Major completed his toilet by the time the
servant returned and reported the carriage
ready.
- 10 the DEVILS Punch Bowl" was the order
gwen by Old Hurricane as he followed the min
lister into the carriage. "And now, sir, y he
addressing his companion, d think
you had better repeat that part of the church
MANY that prays TO be delivered from battle,
murder, and sudden DEATH for if we should
DC SO lucky as to escape Black Donald and his
gang, we shall have at lesst an equal chance
OF being upset in the darkness of these dread
ful mountains"
= pair Of saddle mules would have been a
safer conveyance, certainly" said the minister.
old hurricane knew that, but though great
sensuallst, he was brave man, and so he had
alnef risk his lie In close carriage than suf-
Ter cold upon a sure-footed mules back.
After many delays and perils, the pastor and
Old Hurricane arrived at their destin alton
called the Witch's Hut or Old Hats Cabin
In one corner of the hut, on a ragged couch.
lay gray-haired and emaciated woman evil
IDENTIFY near unto death. On being informed
that magistrate had arrived, she insisted ON
everybody else leaving the room, as she would
speak with him alone. Her request having
been complied with, Old Hurricane drew from
his pocket bible, administered the oath, and
then said
Nov then, my good soul, begin-'the truth.
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth
you know. But first your name?"
Is 1t possible you don't know me, master ?"
mot /, in faith"
"For the love of heaven, look at me and try
70 recoiIect me, SIR 1t is necessary some one
in authority should be able to know Inc. - ssid
the woman, raising her haggard eyes to the
face of her visitor.
The old man adjusted his spectacles and gave
her scrutinizing look, exclaiming at inter.
vsls-
Lord bless my soul it is il amt il must
i can be Granny e-the-
midwife that disappeared from here some twelve
1r thirteen years ago ?'
Yes, master, am Nancy Grewell, the la
lies nurse, who vanished from sight 30 myste-
-iOusly some thirteen years ago - replied the
woman. =
Heaven help our hearts. And for what
;rime was 1t you ran away? Come-make
,lean breast of it, woman! You have nothing
% fear in doing so, for you are past the arm Of
sarthly law now w
81 know il, master.' --..
And the best way to prepare to meet the
Divine Judge is to make all the repnation
that you can by full confession. 20
81 know it, sir-if had committed a
,rime; but have committed no crime, neither
did run away. '.-----.----.-.--
=, what what what What was it then
remember, witness, you are on your OATH"
u know that, sir, and will tell the truth;
out u must be In my own way"
AT this moment violent blast of wind and
haii roared down the mountain side and rat
lied against the walls, shaking the witch hut.
IS II it would have shaken it about their ears.