The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-02-17

to bed TO sweat it of. You'll excuse me
Wool, draw that easy chair up TO my bed
side for worthy Mr.. Goodwin and bring him
a glass Of warm negus. 1t will do him good
after his cold ride"
IL thank you, Major War6eld. will
take the seat, but not the negus, if you
please, to night"
mot the negus Oh, come now, you are
joking. Why, it will keep you from catch
ing cold, and be most comfortable night.
cap, disposing you TO sleep and sweat like o
baby. Of course you spend the night with
us?h
IL thank you, no. must take the road
again in few minutes
Take the road again tonight Why
man alive. it is midnight, and the snow
driving like all Lapand.'
Sir, | am sorry to refuse your pronered
hospitality and leave your comfortable roof
tonight, and sorrier still to have to take
you with me, said the pastor, gravely.
Take NE with you! No. no, my good
sir /! no, no, that is too good o joke-ha .
"Sir, fear that you will find it very
serious one. Your servant told you that
my GRAND was one OF imminent urgency?'
Yes, something like life and death"
Exactly-down in the cabin, near the
Punch Bowl, there is an old woman dy-
ing"
There l knew it. was just saying
there might be 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 her?
am not physician to prescribe -"
" She is far past physicians help
:" Nor am priest to bear her coufes.
sion -"
:" Her confession God has already receiv-
cd"
We'll, and I'm not lawyer to draw up
her will"
No, sir; but you are recently appointed
one OF the Justices Of the Peace for ALE
ghany.'
"Yes well, what Of that. That does
not comprise the duty OF my getting up GU.
Of my warm bed and going through snow
storm to see an old woman expire
Excuse me for Insisting, sir ; but this is
an official duty" said the parson, mildly
but firmly.
"Pll-I'll throw up my commission to.
morrow, grOwled the old man.
"To morrow you may do that. but mean
while to night, being still in the commission
OF the peace. you are bound to get up and
go 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
Heaven. was she murdered, then? exclaim.
ed the old man, in alarm, as he started out
of bed and began to draw on the neither gar
ments.
"Be compassionate was not murdered"
said the pastor.
We'll, then, what is it? Dying deposi.
ton II must concern crime" exclaimed
the old man, hastily drawing on his coat.
at does concern a crime"
What crime, for the love OF heaven ?"
Il am not at liberty to tell you. She
will do that"
Wool 20 down and rouse up Jehu, and
tell him to put ParsOn Goodwin's mule in
the stable for the night. And tell him to
put the black draught-borses to the close
carriage, and light both the front lanterns,
for We shall have a dark, stormy road.
Shu the door, you Internal beg your
pardon,parson, but that william always leaves
the door ajar after him."
The good parson bowed gravely. and the
major completed his toilet by the time the
servant returned and reported the carriage
ready.
ITO the Devils Punch Bowl was the
order given by Old Hurricane, as he follow
Ell the minister into the carriage. And
now, sir he continued, addressing his com.
panioD. Il think you had better repeat that
part OF the church litany that prays to be
delivered from battle, m1rier and sudden
DEATH for ii we should be so lucky as to
escape Black Donald and his gang we shall
have an equal chance of being upset in the
darkness OF these dreadful mountains
a pair OF saddle mules would have been
a sa'er conveyance, certainly" said the min.
lister.
Cd Hurricane knew that, bat though a
great sensualist, he wa brave man, and
80 he had rather risk his life in a close car
riage than suffer cold upon sure footed
niue : back.
After mrny delays and perils, the pastor
and Old Hurricane arrived at their desti-
nation. called the Wtch's Hut or Old Hats
CABIN. In one corner OF the hut, on q rag
ged couch, lay gray haired and emaciated
woman, evidently near unto death. On be-
ing informed that a magistrate bad arrived
she insisted on everybody else leaving the
room, a. she would speak with him alone.
Herrsquest having been complied with, Old
Hurricane drew from bis pocket Bible.
administered the oath. and then said
Now then, my good soul begin the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth. you know. But first, your nsme!"
Is it possible you don't know me,
masier?'
Not !, in faith -
For the love Of heaven look at me and
try 10 recOllcct me, sir II u necessary
some one authority should be able 10 know
ne, said the woman, raising her hsggard