The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-12-23
II PAUL, FRIDAY DECEMBER %, 1855

word has she uttered to me or any One My
home is dismal as tomb, or would have
invited you there.
He ceased his story, and told him how
much interested had been in it. "But,
said l, shave you tried no remedy to cure
this disease, for disease it must be?" He
told me that he had not. "Then," said 1,
stake me home with you, and if don't cure
her, strike the lspurs from my heels as an
unworthy knight"
I went home with the poor fellow, and
found things pretty much as he represented.
| I was introduced to the mistress of the
mansion, who received me with profound
bow.
GA delightful home, madam, this of
yours" said |, glancing admiringly out of the
window. looked towards her, as though
expecting reply. She merely nodded her
head.
Are there many such in this vicinity
among the hills ?" I persisted, looking her
! in the face.
| She colored as though she were confused.
found subsequently that was the first
stranger that he had dared to take home for
several years. I saw by her organism that
she was not naturally bad woman, and d.
| vined at once that she had vowed perpetual
silence at the unkind words of her husband,
and that it only needed a single word to
break the spell that rested upon her.
1 continued my engineering, making all
ho
children, of whom she appeared very fond,
but could not elicit a word from her. l
next alluded to her husband and our old &C.
quaintance, and in the course of our remarks
made some reflections in playful way, upon
the slight blemish in one of his eyes-the
only fault in his really handsome face. l
saw feeling like chagrin fit across her
brow, and a moment after, when praised
him, pleased expression effaced the cloud.
"Aha |" said to myself, "here are pride
| and affection at anv rate these springs
have not dried up, and think that language
may yet be unsealed."
A day passed, but nothing transpired save
maneuvres. l have never tried so hard to
make myself attractive as on this occasion,
and felt that had succeeded when on the
second morning she greeted me with smile
and extended her hand to me as came
from my chamber. I chatted and ratified
on about the town and its splcndors, told of
new improvements, changing fashions Grim
oline and lovely bonnets, all of which was
listened to with evident interest. Still she
wouldn't speak, contound it 1 trembled
for my spurs. Something must be done.
"Mrs. Somers," said I very suddenly,
"will you allow me to look at the palm of
your hand ?"
She extended her hand very readily, and
gazed upon it as though l were a wizard
engaged in some trick of necromancy involv-
ing the fate of the household. Looking in
Der face, I relinquished her hand and sighed
deeply. She looked surprised, and seemed
as if expecting me to say something.
"You may we'll be surprised at my con-
duct" said, "but your surprise would be
overwhelming could I dare tell you the
motive of it. I cannot do so without com.
promising others. 1 may say, however, that
in your hand discern power that may be
employed for immense good. There are
lines in it that meet and diverge, and come
near together again without meeting. There
is a mystery" 1 looked at the hand again,
rubbed my forehead, as though were much
perplexed, and went out abruptly. l saw
her face depicted in the glass as passed
out, and it bore the expression of great
wonder.
"How far is it to the top of Rattlesnake
Hill, Somers ?" l asked at dinner time, as
we sat at table.
"About fifteen miles why?" he replied
and asked.
Because I am going there tonight. 1
must be there at precisely midnight. | am
going to gather charm from the old Rat
tiers cave, through which hope to obtain
treasure that will compensate for all
trouble and danger"
"You cannot co." said he anxiously; "the
way is one of peril. 1t is full of ravines and
pitfalls, and the serpents are very numer-
ous."
1 saw that his wife shared in his uneasi.
ness. and her looks said 'don't go p palmer
than words could speak.
$50 much the better for my purpose, "
said I; "were it not attended with danger,
that which l seek would be valueless. /
snail 60, and, more than this, shall walk"
Somers and his wife exchanged looks,
which interpreted to mean, "Well, isn't he
a queer one ?" and after few moments at
table left the house, telling Somers that l
should be back by the morning. l accord
ingly struck out stoutly for Rattlers Hill
accompanied by his uttered blessing and his
wife's inarticulste benson; but, when I
reached the first brook, l made my cane into
aUointed fishing rod, and INDUCED till sun
down in the finest sport. The trout never
bit with more avidity; and, having caught
a goodly string, 1 carried them to farm
house not Tar away, and had them cooked
for my supper. Late in the evening ]
returned to my friend Somers, and enjoyed
q fine nights rest upon his haymow. Al
l L. i