The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-08-01

few sides of bacon, and ropes of onions hung
from the rafters.
A woman in blue calico gown, with tir
coiiee-pot in one hand and stick in the other
was raking out the Goals from under the burn
ing logs. AT my salutation, she partly turned
looked hard at me, nodded, and muttered some
lnaudlble words. Then, having levelled the
coais properly, she put down the coffse-pot, and
facing about exclaimed-'J Jimmy, Git off thai
cheerp
Though this phrase, short and snappish en-
ough, was not worded as an invitation for me
to SIT down, | accepted it as SUCH and took the
CHAR which lean boy of some nine or ten years
Old had hurriedly vacated. In such cases, 1
had learned by experience, it is not best to be
too forward: wait quietly, and allow the unwill.
ing hosts time to get accustomed to your pres
ence l inspected the family for while, in ST.
lence The spare, bony form of the woman
her deep-set gray eyes, and the long thin nose
which seemed to be merely scabbard for her
sharp-edged voice, gave me her character at the
first glance. As for the man, he was worn by
some constant fret or worry, rather than natur-
ally spare. His complexion was sallow, his face
honest, every line otit, though the expression
was detected, and there was a helpless patience
IN his voice and movements, which have often
seen IL women, but never before in man.
III VIC III oI QSRItCy WIS Iil6 HGGQlCI
gave without leaving my seat. The silence,
shyness, and puny appearance of the boy might
be accounted for by the loneliness of his life,
and the usual Shakes; but there was wild
frightened look in his eye, a nervous restless
ness about his limbs which excited my curiosi-
ty. | am no believer i'll those freaks of fancy
called 'presentiments, but l certainly felt that
there was something unpleasant, perhaps pain
full, in the private relations OF the family.
Meanwhile, the supper gradually took shape.
The coffee was boiled, (far too much for my
taste, bacon fried, potatoes roasted, and GER
tain humps of dough transformed into falnace.
our grape shot, called biscuits Dishes of
blue Queens-ware, knives and forks. cups and
saucers OF various patterns, and a bowl of mo-
lasses Were placed upon the table; aud finally
the woman said, speaking to, though hot look
ing at me-
i s'pose you han't had your supper y
accepted the invitation with simple No,
and ate enough OF the rude fare (for | was real
ly hungry to satisfy my hosts that was not
proud. l attempted no conversation, knowing
that such people never talk when they eat,until
the meal was over, and the man, who gladly
took one Of my cigars, was seated comfortably
before the lire. then related my story, told my
name and business, and by degrees established
q mild flow of conversation. The woman, as
she washed the dishes and cleared up things for
the night, listened to US, and now and then made
a remark to the coffee-pot or frying pan, evil
IDENTIFY intended for our ears. Some things which
she said must have had a meaning hidden from
me, for could see that the man winched, and
at last ventured to say
Mary Ann, what's the use in talkin' about
it?'
DO as you like she snapped back; only 1
a'L't a-goin' to be blamed 70, yOar doin's. The
find out, soon enough
You find this life rather lonely, should
hink, l remarked with view of giving the
different turn.
Lonely 7 she repeated, jerking ont frag-
nent of malicious laughter; It's lonely enough
n the daytime, Goodness knows, but you'll
nave your fill of company afore mornin'.
With that, she threw a defiant glance at her
husband.
Fact is, said he, shrinking from her eye;
we're softer troubled with noises at night
'rhaFs you'll be skeered, but it's no moren
loise-- onpeeasant, hut never hurts Hothin'
You doht- moan TO say this shanty is haunt
ID Z? l asked
Well--yes; some folks'd cali it SO. There
S noises an things goin' on, but you can't see
Nobody
Oh, that is all 2 said l, 'yeu need not be
on my account. Nothing is so strange
'ut the cause of it can be discovered.
Again the man heaved deep sigh, The We
nan said, in rather a miller tone,
What's the good O. KNOWN when You can't
top it?'
As was neither sleepy nor fatigued, this infor-
nation was rather welcome than otherwise |
lad full confidence in my own courage, and if
nything should happen, it would make CAPT
nj fnr nv first Natu Vnrty I
hat there was but one bed and small straw
natrass on the floor beside it for the boy, and l
therefore, declared that l should sleep on the
ench wrapped i'll my cloak. Neither objected
o this, and they presently retired. l determin-
d, however, to keep awake as long as possible.
threw fresh log on the fire, lit another cigar
made few entries in my note book, and f.
ally took the Iron Mask of Dumas, from
ny valise, and tried to read by the waveriDg
ashes eff the fire.
In this manner another hour passed away
he deep breathlng-not to say snoring-trom
he recess, indicated that my hosts were sound
sleep, and the monotOnous whistle of the wind
round the shanty began to exercise a lulling
influence on my own senses. Wrapping myself
n my cloak, with my vaIise for pillow, 1
tretched myself out on the bench, and strove
o keep my mind occupied with coniecturcs con-
erning the sleeping family. Furthermore,
ecalled all the stories OF ghosts and haunted
ouses which l had ever heard, constructed ex-
lanations for such as were still unsolveA and,
o far from feeling any alarm, desired nothing so
much as that the supernatural performance
night commence.
My thoughts, however, gradually became less
nd less coherent, and | was just gliding over
he verge of slumber, when faint sound in the
distance caught my ear. l listened intenty;
certainly there acaS far-off, indistinct sound,
itferent from the dull, continuous sweep of the
Wind. 1 rose on the bench, fully awake, yet
lot excited, for my first thought was that some
raveler might be lost or belated. BY this time
he sound was quite distinct, and, to my surprise,
ppeared to proceed from drum, rapidly beat
n. | looked at my watch it was half past ten.
Who could be out on the lonely prairie, with a
rum, at that time of night There must have
zen some military festival some political eau
US, some celebration of the Sons of Malta, or
ONE jubiation of the Society of the Thousand
nd One, and few of the scattered members
we're enlivening their dark ride homewards.-
While was busy with these conjectures, the
ound advanced nearer, and, what was very sim
ular, without the least pause or variation-one
teady, regular roll ringing deep and clear
trough the night.
The shanty stood at point where the stream
eaving its general southwestern course, bent
t sharp angle to the southeast, and faced
cry nearly in the latter direction. AS the sound
fthe drum came from the east, it seemed the
nore probable that it was caused by some per-
on on the road which crossed the creek quar-
er of mile below. Yet, on approaching near
r it made dire city for the shanty, moving, evil
emily, much more rapidly than person could
walk 1t then flashed upon my mind that this
1as the noise was to hear, this the company
was to expect. Louder and louder, deep,
trong, reyerberating, rolling as if for battle
barge, 1t came on it was now but fifty-ten
Just outside the rough clapboard wall-but,
While had risen to open the door it passed di-
ectly through the wall and sounded at my very
ars, inside the shanty
The logs burned brightly on the hearth eve
y object in the room could be seen more or
esS distinctly nothing was out of its place,
lothing disturbed yet the rafters almost shook
lnder the roll of an invisible drum, beaten by
Invisible hands The sleepers tossed restless
y, and deep groan, as if in semi dream, came
rom the man. Utterly COMPOUNDED as / was,my
sensations We're not those of terror Each mo-
nent doubted, nay senses, and each moment
he terrific sound convinced me anew I do not