Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1860-05-04
A NIGHT ADVENTURE.
BY GEORGE W. PAGEr.


he had been to superintend the sale ola tract
of land, and carried the proceeds of the sale,
in the shape of large amount of gold, and
drafts on banks in the Northern cities
He purchased horse to enable him to re-
turn with more dispatch than by the slow OK
teams that passed weekly through the town
where he was stopping.
He started on his return this bitter even
ing, hoping to reach the next town before
nightfali, but in passing through desolate
piece of forest country, his horse cast shoe,
and SO disabled him that he thought his only
alternative would be to pass the night in the
forest, and he commenced preparing q shell
ter for himself and horse, when he saw q
stranger approaching him, Of whom he in
quired the distance to the next town.
It's q long way" said he; "you will
find it difficult matter to reach there before
midnight"
"What have got to stay here in the
forest all night, and in danger Of perishing
with cold"
No, by st. Dennis, you won't do that,
you are not in so bad plight as you think
Why, we are scarcely five minutes walk from
my own cottage. There you will be well
come to a nights rest, and the best I have
got. So come and follow me-"
Deiey obeyed, his horse walking with diff.
ficulty after him, until they arrived at the
house.
His conductor Knocked at the door, it was
some time before he was answered, the in
mates seeming to doubt whether they should
be admitted.
"Come, come, old woman hurry up and
open the door,"
"Oh! is it you, Jake? Come in and don't
keep the door open," replied gruff female
voice from within, as the door opened, dis
| closing to Deley's eyes, TALL muscular look
ing female with an ugly repulsive counte-
nance, circled by dirty nightcap, holding a
lamp in one hand and shading it with the
other.
"Come in and don't keep me standing
here in the cold"
"Walk in Mister" as she saw Deley stand
ing behind her husband.
Jake! 60 and put the gentleman's horse
away"
Saying which she ushered Deley into a
room where good fire was burning on the
hearth. Deley immediately placed himself
| in an easy chair that stood close by the fire
to dry and warm himself.
"Tis sharp, biting wind" said the man,
coming in from the shed, where he had been
to put Deley's horse away for the night.
| His countenance was strange mixture of
cunning and good humor, with black glitter
ing eyes, short, thick form, and a full neck,
that seemed to offer an ample apology for the
length and leanness of his wife.
| 81 wonder what detains my son SO long j?
begin to feel uneasy about him.
His wife was at work getting supper, when
Deley turning to her, said:
Are you not equally anxious about your
| SOM
"Not T." she replied, peeyishly. He is
no son Of mine; and if he was. that is none
of yotsr business r
"What do you mean, wife, getting out of
humor and insulting the gentleman for ask
ing simple question? If you had not look
ed so cross, he would never have thought
you old enough to have son two and TWEEN.
Suddenly loud halo rang through the
forest. and made Dcley start
"Don't be frightened, stranger" said the
old man. It's my boy, hope? Yes here
he is r.
As he said this, young man appeared at
the door of the cottage.
The new conner was presented to Deley by
| the name of William.
He was tall, stout, hard featured young
man about twenty two.
He laid aside his heavy bear skin coat. in
! .shich he was enveloped to shield him from
the storm raging outside, unbuckled and laid
aside broad leathern belt, in which he wore
suspen ed heavy bowie-he then drew q
brace of revolvers from his pocket, laying
them upon shelf.
"You avelwell-armed," !" said Deley to him.
"True, stranger, travel around through
this wild district, and it's best to go well
armed. It's necessary as precaution against
wild beasts"
After supper, De1ey. wishing to retire, de-
sired the young man to conduct him to his
chamber.
"Haye the goodness to follow me,'' said
! he, taking up lamp, and advancing towards
q rickety stairway in one corner Of the ROOM
Deley followed him, taking up his over
coat which he had thrown over chair, be-
fore the fire previous to eating his supper.
As he gathered it up, heavy wallet in the
breast pocket fell out on the floor with q
heavy sound. He picked It up and thrust it
back in his Pecket, but not before it was no
ticed by both father and son, their eyes met
with sinister meaning but they seemed not
to notice it.
Deley's conductor ushered him into a
small chamber and soon after left him to
himself He undressed, blew out the light
and lay down on the bed. He was very
much surprised to find the sheets stiff and
hard with something emitting a very peculiar
odor. Getting up again and striking light
with some matches he fortunately had in his
pocket, he examined the sheets, and what
was his astonishment, his horror, to find the
sheets crimson and stiff with blood. A hum
dred confused ideas passed through his mind
for a full hour, and he was like person in a
dream, fearful horrid nightmare seemed
weighing him down. Suddenly Deley was
aware Of the fact that persons were talking
beneath his window. It was impossible to
distinguish anything in thick gloom that the
shadow of the building threw over them
But he knew by their voices that they had
unintentionally placed themselves directly
beneath his window.
As Deley thrust his head out he heard the
old mAn say:
ut viii never do to let this fellow of with
such pile Of blunt why, tell you he has
got enough to make us nabobs in An another
state; but that old Englishman's disappear
ance made confounded big stir, and the
next one that's missed will make the place