Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-06-22
AAngntersstilla Storg
THE INTREPID MOTHER.

The diligence from Paris to Chalons stopped
one evening, just after dark, some miles be
yond the little town of Rouvray, to set down
an English lady and her child at lonely
roadside auberge. Mrs. Martin expected to
find carriage ready to take her to the Cha.
teau de Senart, distance of some leagues,
whittier she was repairing on visit, but was
told that it had not yet arrived. The iandla,
dy, tall, coarse looking woman, who showed
her into the vast hall that served at once as
sitting:room and kitchen, observed that the
roads were so muddy and difficult, at night,
there was little chance of her friend arriving
before morning. =,
"You had better, therefore," she said,
amake up your mind to sleep here. We have
a good room to offey you and you will be
more comfortable between pair OF clean,
warm sheets, than knocking about IN our .1
rough country; especially as your dear chilo
seems sickly."
Mrs. Martin, though much fatigued by her
Journey, hesitated. A good nights rest was
certainly q tempting prospect. but she felt so
confident that her friends would not neglect
her, that after q moment she replied: "Thank
YOU madam, I will sit up for an hour or So
It is not late, and the carriage may come after
all. Should it not, I shall be glad of your
room, which you may prepare for me at any
rate"
The hostess, who seemed anxious that her
s guest should not remain in the great front
room, suggested that fire might be made
above but Mrs. NJ. found herself so comfort.
able where she was-a pile of faggots was
blazing ON the vast hearth-thst she declined
at first to move. Her daughter, about FIVE
Years of age, soon went to sleep in her lap
and she herself found that whilst her ears
were anxiously listening for the roll OF Car,
risge wheels, her eyes occasionally closed, and
slumber began to- make its insidious ap.
proaches. o., :.
In oriier to prevent herself from giving way,
she endeavored to direct her attention to the
objects around. The apartment was vast,
and lighted more by the glare of the fire than
by the dirty candle stuck into filthy candle
stick that stood on one of the long tables
Two or three huge beams stretched across
half way up the walls, leaving space filled
with. fitting shadows above. From these de-
pended rusty gun or two, sword, several
bags, hanks Of onions, cooking utensils, DC.
There were very few signs that the house was
much visited, though q pile of empty wine
bottles lay in one corner. The landlady sat
at some distance from the fireplace with her
two sons, who laid their heads together and
talked in whispers.
: Mrs; Martin began to feel uneasy. The
idea entered her mind that she had fallen into
a resort of robbers and the words Ceste
elle,n (itis shel which was all she heard of
the whispered conversation, contributed to
alarm her. The door leading into the road
was left aiar; and for q moment she felt an
inclination to start up and escape on foot.
But she was far from any other habitation,
and if the people of the house entertained
any evil designs her attempt would only pre-.
cipitate the catastrophe. So she resolved on
patience, but listened attentively for the ap,
nroach Of her friends. All she heard was the
whis,ling of the wind and the dashing of the
ra n, which had begun to fall just after her
arrival.
About two hours passed in this uncomfor-
table way. At length the door was thrown
open, and man dripping wet came IN. She
breathed more freely, for this, new conner
might Illustrate the evil designs of her host,
ifthey entertained any. He was red-haired
sioviaI.iaced looking man, and inspired her
with confidence, BY tha fanknsss and ease OF
> bis mamens. y