Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1862-07-04
FRIDAY. JULY 4. 1862.


should accomplish my errand, and return
before IL 5urs, upon Us. 1 set forth nerri
iy whistlipg a. went, and cndcavoring tc
coax my old steady going horse into more
} rapid pace than was wont, and partly sue
ceedcd In my ebdeavors, for old Tro,ter
after much resistance and ob.,inacy, broke
into an uneven motion, which be considered
q trot. and kept IL up oil the way to Gin
cinna,i.
I arrived safely, made my purchases. aud
began to rctraco my steps. The day bad by
this time be.ome intensely cold. The wind
was foil in my face, and 90 sharp that II
nearly took away my breath. However.
bu,ioncd my coat to my chin. pulled my
hat over my eyes. and rode de,ermine4ly
forward at tho best speed OF which old Tro.'
ter was capable. Nearly halfway upon my
journey stood large frame house. surround
cd by well.,illed fcld' and an ample orch
ard. The front Of the houss was directly
on tho road. which took n sudden curve
short distance beyond. and more sheltered
I looked forward TO the appearance OF this
halfway house with much anIie,y-past
! tho turning, my way would be far pleasant.
or. and my progress moro rapid and be.
gan to wish mos, heartily for my journeys
end. as the night was drawing on, and q
We, snow began 10 drift down upon the
cherries landscape. You may imagine my
CONSERVATION. therefore. when, JUS, as
srrivcl opposite tho dwelling. old Tro,ier
slipped upon the wet ground. stumbled
and fell, throwing ms upon my back, aud
Y dispensing the contents Of my baskets IN
every direction among tl'c snow sprlnsled,
brown grass. Fortunately, va, unhurs.
After a.eeriainins this important Tact, ]
gathered up my merchandise, and turned
90 remount TTotter bot the old horse had
been ie., favored than |. and soon found
that he was too lamo 10 proceed farther.
/ Here was a situation .,ood IN mute per.
pleIiiy. thinking, I remember. how often ]
had heard that llallow Fen was an Ill.
omened time. and ,ha, mi.haps OF nil kinds
were sure 70 bciall the un!ucky wight Who
wa, abroad alter dark upon that day.
While | rumina,ed cas-, my eye toward
the window Of the old farmhouse. The
ligh, OF u lamp jus, kindloI fell through
/ the pancs upon the snow which lined the
.ill-a woman's shadow fitted to and fro.
wha. q co.y picture it was thought OF
home-Oi tea and doughnu,s, warm biscuit
and crisp bacon, mincc pie warmed in the
capaeious oven, aud fel, dismal. beyond ex.
preston. a. the moisture OF my garments
chilled mo through and through.
Suddenly, clear voice started me with
the words. Il. anything the matter with
your hor-e. stranger p and turning. be.
held a young man, rather boy. mounted on
handsome horse. who had approached
wi,hou, my knowledge. over the soft snow.
I forget what | answered. bu, at oil events
the conversation resulted in an invitation to
enter the house near by, aud rest till morn
ing. Uncle and aun, will bc very happy
to entertain you, am sure, continued the
boy. and you know it is impossible to pro-
coed to night
The fac, wa, selfeyident. aud | gladly
accepted the invitation, and was ushered
into the dwelling forthwith. My compan.
ion wa, warmly greeted by an old lady and
gentleman. both evidently Scotch people,
who sprang from their seats by the fire as
he entered. and hailed him by the name OF
jamie and my reception was kind in the
extreme. A scat was placed for me; the
old gentleman sen, a servan, lad TO care Tor
my horse aud the old lady insisted upon
my exchanging my wet coat Tor one OF the
old gentleman's, in which, as he was very
stout. and very slend r, doubtless cut q
singular figure. Meanwhile, supper was
served by q buxom, mitdle-aeed servant wo-
man. and We all took our places at the
board, and after grace was said, fell TO with
astonishing yigor-at least eau answer for
myself.
During the course Of the meal. the fac.
that |, was Ilallow Fen was casually an.
nounccd. and. rs u natural consequences, the
old lady launched into IN account OF nu'
merous charms, projects and adventures
which had taken place within her knowl'
edge. and wound up with the remark that
We young men should both try some that
night for the purpose OF discovering who
our swec,hearts were to be. The old lady
wa, 90 earnest in this whm that il wa, i'm
possible to deny her; and accordingly we
proceeded under her directions to prepare
the following charm. Each Of US scooped
the yolk from three hard boiled eggs, filed
the cavity with salt, and devoured them
salt and oil then, without taking drink
Of water, We proceeded straight to our apart
ments. with striet injunctions TO tic our
shoestrinss in hard knots, and so to bed
backwards: 'And as sure as 20 do 50.
said the old lady. the lass yer to marry
will come to yer and kiss 70 when the clock
strikes twelve
The room which had been devoted to me
was long and wide. with gloomy corners
and tall, ghostly cupeoards hero and there.
A looking glass in black frame hung op'
posi,c the bed. and beneath II stood tablo
Of small dimensiors. Laughing at myself
all the while tied my shocs.rins In three
knots, and blowing out tho light, absolute