St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1860-05-31

my side, ready to die in n defence, and
pr u to share in my wanderings. / al
ways went armed. An excellent brace of
pistols, st. el barrel)ed, and loaded with
ball, were never tron' my pocket, save long
enough to see that they we're in oder, and
at night they lay beneath my pillow. l
felt quite safe with these and Lion, who
Wa the companion Of my tights as we'll as
days. He always laid down between my
bed and the door, with his face towards
the latter. No one could enter without At
tracting the attention Of Lion.
One day, in the summer Of 1880, found
myself in small settlement, on the border
Of 4 small lake, anxious to get forward to
the next, which was about eighteen miles
distant. No conveyance could be obtained,
without waiting till the next day, which l
was not inclined to do, 50 I set out ON foot.
It was near night, and walked forth
triskly. was not long in discovering
that my expedition would be, by no means,
an agreeable one.
The road, it rod it could be called, was
very hard, and through the thickest forest
in that part Of the country. The night,
too, crept on apace, and promised to be
darker than common. But Lion trotted
along by my side, getting over the ground
fast. 50 didn't mind it much.
The darkness was on me, before I vas
aware of it. 1t seemed to me that had
already walked eighteen miles, but could
see no settlement. This surprised me a
little, for was used to travelling, aud knew
we'll my ability to calculate distances. But
/ kept up good heart, and went On, until
I was quite certain I bad mistaken my way,
OF been misiuformed in regard to the dist
ance. l concluded it would be best to
keep the road I was in, until l reached
some habitation.
In short tine, I was glad I had made
the resolution, for 1 saw a light glimmez-
ing from cabin. I approached it as soon
as possible. It was rather above the me-
medium size. thought I could be ac-
commodated very we'll there. It had the
appearance Of being very comfortable with
in. I knocked for admission. A man
opened the door.
Now am not 4 perlon to believe in pre-
sentiments, misgivings, and all that sort Of
thing, but certainly saw something in
that mans countenance that did not like,
the moment l set my eyes upon him In
a gruf voice, he asked my business. I
told him believed l had lost my way, and
was under the necessity Of asking accom-
modation. After hesitating moment, he
asked me to enter. A tall female sat IN a
corner, near large rock fireplace. She
seemed busy in watching piece Of meat.
Kissing over the FIRE. 1t struck me that
had never seen more apathetic counte-
nance than ter's. She hardly noticed my
entry. She might have been forty years
cid. Her face was remarkably thin, aud
w1inkled to degree TO excite curiosity
Her nose was thin and skinny, as was il,-
deed her whole face. The head gear was
wholly indescribable, and beneath it gray
hairs were visible. Her entire dress was
unlike anything l had ever seen. could
hardly keep my eyes off her. She, as we'll
as the man, glanced eagerly at my pack, as
laid it down. The latter was coarse
looking person, whose countenance appear
ed more indicative Of rapcity than villainy.
To my questions, he replied very clvilly,
after had entered, and he had got view
Of my person. I learned from him what I
had suspected for the last half hour-that
/ had taken the wrong road.
A kind Of telegraphing took place be-
tween the two, after which I was informed
that I could stay. This did not appear to
me very great favor, since had chance
to observe ny heat and hostess. The meat
upon the Goals Was put upon the table, at
length. was invited to partakc Of it,
which did, with my host, who had been
absent, and had returned, few minutes
before my arrival During my repast, Ii.
on took his station by my side, receiving q
portion, a. he always did.
When had finished, J drew away from
the board, and taking a paper from my
pocket, pretended to be reading.
! glanced up occasionally from under my
brcws, and was startled to sec the apathy
Of the woman, as well as that of the man,
wearing off rapidly. Her eyes grew AMI.
mated, and in unison With his, glanced =,
the dog with evident signs Of dissatlsfac.
ton.
Presently l nodded over my paper like
sleeping person. Instantly the manne.
Of the two persons became more alarming.
Finally the tall hag lifted my pack, and
weighed It in her hand a. we'll as she was
able. Her eyes flashed like 4 serpent's,
for it contained large quantity of specie,
besides valuable jewelry and costly silks.
always. made pr.ctice Of putting my
silver money in 4 bag, and deposited it in
corner Of said pack, but my bills were
placed in belt which I wore next to my
skin.
After she had done this, she motioned
for him 70 come and litt II. which he did,
With apparently - mach satisfaction ~ hia
other half had experienced. s. =: .<.>;;=ss.,
j, ~ Al L. II. 3