Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1860-12-08

speaking encouraging WORDS 10 nlm, puSn-
cd on to the haven which promised us rest
after the toll and WEAKNESS Of the days
exertons. Through the uucurtaiued win
dows Of the lower story streamed out into
the increasing darkness cheerful light,
whose wavering brightness indicated an
open fireplace. As drew near the house
! could partially discern through the gloom
the shapes of irregular sheds aud out.build'
ings attached to the main structure I; but
| only cursorily glanced at these, but being
more intent on reaching the inside than
scrntinizing the outside Of the cdifice. The
sound of my horses hoofs attracted the
inmates, aud man issued from the out
building, bearing a dark lantern, which en-
tirely concealed his own figure, while it
plainly revealed mine.
Can you take care of my horse, andgiVe
me food and lodgings for the night y in
quired we are both exhausted, and can
hardly go further before Tomorrow
Yes was the lasonic answer.
dismonnted and followed the man as be
led my horse into the barn, and having seen
him well provided for, We went without an
additional syllable into the house. My
companion all the while whether accident
ally or designedly, kept the bright side of
the lantern constantly turned towards me,
aud 1t was not until we entered the apart
ment containing the fire that could fairly
obtain sight of him. / iuvolnntarily
turned my gaze upon him before even glanc'
ing at the room into which | now entered,
impelled by an irresistible curiosity for
which l was at loss to account. He was
q man OF more than the average stature,
with a breadth across the shoulders have
never but once seen equalled indeed so
athletic was his appearance that l saw in
stantly was but babe in comparison OF
physical strength, although at least two
inches his superior in stature.
His features were not ill.shaped II it
had not been for low forehead he might
have been called almost good-looking bis
complexion, however, was dark. and pro-
fusion of bushy beard rendered the express
sion OF bis mouth hardly visible. l was
just turning my eyes from his face to observe
the aspect of my new quarters, when for q
second bis glance met niue it was in
simultaneously averted, but thrill of
horror. loathing and diSmay shot through
my frame like an agouizng electrical shock.
1t was q rather small black eye (the other
being sghtIess and nearly shut) which had
thus powerfully affected me in its glitter
seemed tolurk the concentrated qnintesscnce
of deVilish maliguity. No words can de.
scribe the conyulsive recol with which
shrank from that glimpse into the depths
of his soul it was as if the earth had
yawned beneath my feet, and in the black.
ness of the gloomy abyss had half deserted
the deeper blacknesS, vast and i'll defined,
Of the prince of evil.
With an immense effort of will, however,
shook of the influence Of the man, and
directed my attention to the objects that
surrounded me- The room was not large,
and was roughly plastered, although dingy
aud dirty. At one end was a rude attempt
at a bar, formed out Of unplaned boards,
aud behind this sat woman Of about thir-
ty, with wild expression of despair on her
fsce--not impulsiva and ungovernable, bat
craven in sharp lines on every feature, as if
it were the sculptured countenance of
condemned criminal Gu one side OF the
fireplace sat man with his legs up against
the side Of the room, looking moodly into
the fire, and smoking Q clay pipe, black as
the chimney back he did not raise his eyes
once towards me. On the other side sat
dog on his hind legs, rough, non-descript-
looking animal with q sullen yet honest
stare in his eye as he surveyed me, growing
low all the while The furniture of the
room was of the rudest kind, consisting Of
a few chairs and table, on which lay O
large jack knife, and piece Of plug tobac-
co one talIow candle stood by with long
smoky wick.
l took chair and sat down by the fire
and asked if they could give the any supper.
The woman arose, aud without saying a
word set on the table from behind the bur,
q half-eaten leg of ham, loaf of bread
aud jug Of milk, and then resumed her seat
in silence. My conductor sat down near
the fire, with his face half turned away
from me, and lighting pipe, puffed away,
likewise in silence. My nerves are none of
the most susceptible, but by this time the
gloom Of the party had thoroughly infected
me, aud my feelings were not to be envied,
as heartily wished the morrow were come
The one-eyed man rose at last and went to
the bar. tt..
We'll p said the woman coldly.
Brandy was the reply
you've had enough already she retort-
ed bitterly.
'You lie,' he answered with fierce oath.
I'ye got to stick the hog early in the morn.
ing, and l want some more
'You had rather stick the hog than kill
chicken any day. exclaimed the woman
passionately. i hate you, you brute
You do, do you p sneered he Give
me the bottle, or I'll break it over your
head
Take it yourself groaned she, leaving
the bar. 4 wish you were dead, and me
too
The man took the bottle and drank o
long draught from it, casting at the same
time menacing look towards the woman,
and shaking his head at her threateningly
The woman shuddered aud covered her face
with her hands. could not stand it any
longer, and abruptly asked to bo shown to
my chamber. r-.- .l
The man, taking up the candle, motioned
me to follow him, when the dog, which had
been quiet before, evinced signs of great
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