Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-07-11

handsome capital sS' as any one could wish
to see. loud knock came suddenly at the
door. Bowse grouled and the widow scream
ed, and snatched up the apple pairing.
SIt's Mr.. Cobb-it's his spirit come back a
gain, because / tried that silly trick,' she
thought fearfully to herself.
Another knock-louder than the first, and a
mans voice exclaimed "Hilloa, the house !''
.sWho is it 20 asked the widow somewhat
revived TO find that the departed Levi was still
safe in his grave upon the hillside.
ssA Stranger" said the voice."
.sWhat do you want ?''
.'To get lodging for the night
The widow deliberated.
ssCan't you go on there's house about
halt a mile distant, if you keep to the right
hand side of the road-and turn to the left af-
ter you get by"
"Its raining cats and dogs, and I'm very
delicate,o said the stranger, coughing. ssI'm
wet to the skin-don't you think you can ac-
CONNIE odate mel don't mind sleeping on the
hoor.''
ssRaining is it ? didn't know that" and
the kind hearted little woman unbarred the
door very quickly. "Come in whoever you
bel only asked you to GO on because am
house,"
The stranger entered shaking himself like
a Newfoundland dog upon the step, and scat
tering little shower of drops over his hostess
and her nicely swept foor
ssOh-that looks comfortable after man
has been out for hours in Storm" he said,
as he caught the sight of the fire, and strding
along toward the hearth, followed by Bowse,
who shifted suspiciously at his heels, he sta
toned himself in the arm -chair-Mr. Cobb's
arm -chdir-which had been kept sacred to
bis memory for seven years. The widow was
Mortified, but her guest looked SO weary and
worn, that she could not ask him to move, but
4 A.
/ might the sooner dry his clothes. new
thought struck her; Mr.. Cobb had worn a
comfortable dressing gown during his illness,
which still hung in the closet at the right.
She could not let this poor catch his
| death by sitting in his wet coat-if he was in
| CObb's chair, why not be in Cobb's wrap
per? She wentsnimbly to the closet, took it
down, fished out pair of slippers from the
| boot-rack below, and brought them to him.
81 think you had better take off your coat
and boots; you will have the rheumatic fever
or something likeI if you don't. Here are
| some things TO wear while they are driving.
| And you must be hungry, too l will go into
| the pantry and get you something to eat.
| She hustled away, s.on hospitable thoughts
! INTENT" and the stranger made the exchange
with quizzical smile playing around his lips.
| He a tall, well formed man, with bold
bat handsome face, sunburned and heavily
bearded, and looked anything but ssdelicate,"
| tHoHSn his oiue eyes Slanceo out from uhueF
| forehead as white as the snow. He looked
around the kitchen with mschievous air and
! stretched out hs fee. before hin decorated
with the defnnct Deacon Cobb's slippers.
ssUpon my word, this is stepping into the
old mans shoes with vengeance. And what
| hearty good humored, good looking woman
| she is! Kind as kitten" and he leaned for
ward and stroked the cat and her brood, and
then patted old Bowse upon the head The
widow bringing in sundry things, looked pleas
cd at his attention to her dumb friends.
ssIt's wonder Bowse don't growl; he gen.
orally does if strangers touch him. Dear me
how stupid.'
The last remark was neither addressed to
| the stranger to the dog, but to herself.
| She had forgotten that the little stand was
not empty-and there was no room on it for
the things she held.
ssOh, l'll manage it," said the guest, gather
ing up paper, candles, apples and spectacles-
cit was not without little pang that she saw
| them in his hand, for they had been the Dea-
cons and were placed each night, like the
arm chair, beside her)-and depositing them
| on the settee.
ssGive me the table cloth, ma'am; l can
spread it as well as any woman. I've learned
that along with scores of other things in my
wanderings. Now let me relieve you of those
dishes; they are far too heavy for those little
hands - Cthe widow bushed ;)s'and now please
sit down with me, or cannot eat a morsel."
"I had supper long ago, but really think
/ can take something more,'' said Mrs. Cobb,
drawing her chair nearer to the table.
s.Of course you can, my dear lady-in this
cold autumn weather, people ought to eat
twice as much as they do in warm. Let me
give you piece of this ham-your own Gu
ring, dare say.'
eyes; my poor husband was very fond of
il. He used to say that no one understood
curing ham and drying beef better than l."
.'He was sensible man, am sure. drink
your health in this cider"
He took long draught, and set down his
glass.
"It is like nectar.''
The widow was feeding Bowse and the cat
(who, thought they were entitled TO a share OF
every meal eaten in the house,) and did not
quite hear what he said. / fancy she would
was quite as well.
s'Fine dog, ma'am-and pretty cat.''
s.They were my husbands favorites," aud q
sigh followed the answer.
tsAh-your husband must have been very
happy man."
} The blue eyes looked at her,so long thai
she grew furried.
ssis there anything more l can get you ,sir ~
she asked at last.
ssNothing, thank you, have finished"
She rose to clear the things away. He as
sisted her, and somehow their hands had &
queer mack of touching as they carried the
dishes to the pantry shelves. Coming back
to the kitchen, she put the apples and. cider
in their old places, and brought out - clear
pipe and box of tobacco from an arched re-
cess near the chimney.
"My husband always said he could not sleeI
after eating supper late, unless he smoked,
she said. "Perhaps you would like to try it. :
sNot if it is to drive you away" he answer
| cd, for she had her candle in her hand.
xlnI do not oh fc nh zf q III