The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-07-20

for supper the preceding evening. lay per.
fectly still, with my eyes shut, endeavoring
since / could not get TO sleep again.to account
fer rhe peculiar nature of my late nightmare,
as lad made up my mind to consider it, nm
iii the cuckoo clock, on the 0aken stair outside
struck four. The last note of the mechanical
bird bad scarcely died away, when again, close
TO my pillow, I heard utlered-not only with
disiinctness, but with most unmistakable
earnestness-the same piece of information
which bad once so startled me already The
ferryman waits
Then got up and looked under the little
bed. and behind it ; into the small cupboard
where my one change of boots was kept, and
where there was scarcely room for anything
else L sounded the wall nearest my beds
head. and found it solid enough; it was also an
outside wall; nor from any of the more remote
ones could so distinct summons have come.
Then pushed the window easement fully
back, and thrust my head and bare neck into
the morning air. If was still asleep, was de.
termined 10 awake myself and then, if should
hear the mysterious voice again, was deter
mined to obeylt. was not alarmed, nor even
disturbed in my mind, although greatly inter.
esed The circumstances of my position pre-
cluded any supernatural terror. The animals
in the farr-yard we're lying in the tumbled
straw close by, and near enough to be startled
at a shout of mine; some pigeons were already
circling round the dovecote. or pacing, sentinel.
like the little platforms before their domiciles;
and the sound of the lasher, by whose circine
eddies had SO often watched for trout, came
cheeriIy and with inviting tones across the
dewr meadows. The whole landscape seemed
instinct with newborn life, and to have thor.
oughly shaken offthe solemnity of dreary night.
Its surprising beauty and freshness so entirely
took possession of me- indeed, that in it's con.
temptation absolutely forgot the inexplicabIe
occurrence which brought me to the window
l was wrapped in the endeavor to make out
whether those tapering lines. supporting, as it
appeared, mass of southern cloud, were in-
deed the pinnacles of the cathedral, when,
close to my ear-elose by. as though the speak.
,er had bis face to the easement likewise-the
words were a third time uttered The ferry.
man waits #'l .' "
p There was deeper seriousness in its tone on
this occasion-an appeal which seemed to
have touch of pathos as well as gloom; but
it was the same voice, and one which I shall
never forget. did not hesitate another mo.
moment, but dressed myself as quickly as
could; and descending the stairs, took down
the vast oaken door-bar, and let myself out,as
had heel wont TO do when went betimes
fishing. Then I strobe southwark along the
foot-path, leading through the fields to where
the river-ferry was some three miles off. now
doubling, now believing that the ferryman did
wait there at such an unusually early hour and
for me. made such good use of my legs.
that it was not five o'clock when l reached the
last meadow that lay between me and the
stream. 1t was higher ground than its neigh
Dor land, and every step 1 took was looking
eagerly to come in sight of some ferry-house,
which was on the opposite bank, and BY no
means within easy hailing distance. At last
did so, and observed. to my astonishment.
that the boat was not at its usual mornings
1t must needs therefore have been already
brought over upon my own side. A few steps
further brought re into view of it, with the
ferryman standing up in the stern. leaning on
his puntpoleau aud looking intently in my direc-
ton. He gave great hollo when he reog-
nized me, and returned it, for we were old
acqnaintances. .-ar Hs4 Fl ia
We'll, Master Philip cried he, as drew
nearer. you are moth ere so very mnch betilnes.
after all; have been waiting for you nigh up.
on half an hour.' a..-.,-.
waiting for me! echoed I. Il don't know
how that can be, since nobody knew that was
coming; and indeed 1 didn't know it myself
till 81 -l
And there l stopped myself upon the very
verge of confessing myself to have been fooled
by voice. Perhaps the ferryman himseI
may be concerned in the trick. thought I, and
is now about to charge me roundly for being
taken across out of hours.
well. SIR returned the Genius of the River
turning his peakless cap hind before,which wal
his fashion when puzzled. (and certainly mucl
more polite one than that common to his breth
ren of the land, of scratching their heads
all can say is, as was aroused at half pas
three or so by friend of yours, saying as tho
lyou would be wanting me in a little on tht
uorth bank
|
what friend was that !? Inquired I.
Nay, sir, for that matter can't say, since
didn't see him; but I heard him well enough
at all events, and as plain as now hear you
l was asleep when he first called me from out
side yonder, and could scarcely make an
sense of it. But the second time was wild
awake; and the third time, as was undoin
the window, there could be no mistake abou
- Be ready for Phillip Reaton on the no
bank he said. ..;-.....-
And how was it you missed seeing m
friend 2 inquired I. as carelessly as could
He was in such hurry TO be gone, I reel
on, that as soon as he heard my window opel
and knew he had ronsed me- he set off. HI
voice came round the east corner of the cot
tage,as though he went Exter way. l wouldn
have got up at such time, and at such sun
mons, for many other folks but you, do a
sure you, Master Philip 4..a-...
Thank you,' said l., though by no meal
quite convinced; you're good fellow, ar
here's five shillings for you. And now, put m
across and show me the nearest way by whis
l can get to the city
b Now, il by some inscrutable means. ths fe