The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1863-09-25

Willingness 10 ODllgc. therefore, Wnen
George answered me sharply in the way
described, Immediately concluded that
some unseen but unsurmountable obstacle
intervened, and that this and not my SIM
pie question ruffied his serene temper /;
and therefore mildly explained my premises
without any attempt at elf-justification,
or any outcry at harshness thus: Be-
cause there are a great many necessaries
to be procured. In the first place, the
wheat must be taken to the mill-for we
are entirely out of -four And then fol-
lowed list of articles of various descrip-
tions, all really needed and to leave an
impression, closed by mentioning that l
needed the material for a new pair of
over-alls for him.
George acknowledged quite reasonable
the necessity for going; but added that he
did not think he could, in this instance,
yield to necessity. | cannot remember
what prevented him, but know his objec-
tion was unanswerable.
Thereupon bright idea struck me.
George" said /, "I'll CO."
He demurred for while, saying that
he was afraid could not find my way !;
bnt 1 soon succeeded in making him look
at it in a proper light, and the result was,
that about two o'clock in the next after
noon, was in Smokieton making my prr-
chases.
l had not started quite-as early in the
morning as / intended doing, and some
hours passed while l was waiting for the
-four so that it was five o'clock before 1
was able to start on my way home. The
road was merely cart-path through the
woods; and as several others crossed or
joined in various places, l felt quite timid,
being uncertain many times which was
the one | was to follow. They were each
as like the one as a pea to his fellow;
woods dense and impenetrable, inclosed
them; aud in addition to these diff
culties, | saw that the setting of the
sun would soon leave me without the
means of distinguishing any road at all. l
recollect, however, that George had told
me to keep the right-hand road all the
way, and as had done SO, l must be right
though instinct told both " Dobin" and
myself quite positively that we were GER
. L
play such degree of ignorance, but am
-fasosa go -9eAfees tAat Lad iHcr9otteH that
of course if took the right-hand road
when going to Smokieton, on returning
should follow the Iej7. After riding for
what seemed an interminable length of
time, 1 began to look for the light from
our house-but no light did l see; and
heavy clouds, flying in black masses over
head, threatened rain every moment With
unacknowledged terror, making my heart
beat faster and faster, and the hands
which held the reins of every uncertain
use, l tried to cheer up my old horse, and
Inspire myself with little confidence by
talking aloud. Little good did 1t do, how
ever my voice sounded weak and quaver-
ing, and could scarcely have been heard
by listener. For nearly an hour longer
we travelled wearily along, and at the end
of that time l ceased trying to conceal |
from my knowledge that l was wrong, and |
had lost my wayl My heart sunk as the
truth forced itself on my mind. / did |
not know what to do. l could not retrace
the road in such thick darkness as now
me, and to go forward seemed |
equally useless; but just at this moment,
to my surprise and delight, saw short
distance before me that the woods had |
been cleared away little, and began to
feel faint hope that a house might be
near, in which [ could find shelter. |
drove on till reached the opening; then
alighting, tied "Dobbin" to tree, and
commenced picking my way with great
care over stones and branches, and through
Driars and tangled grass. At last my out
stretched hand touched something which,
could not see, and l found my wishes
| was standing by rough log
cabin, and who could tell what comfort OF
hospitality might await me within l
elt along the sides of the house till l dis
covered the door, then knocked most en-
but received no answer.
urned the latch, opened the door, and
ooked in. Darkness reigned supreme
here as elsewhere. No sound could be
heard to show that it was inhabited. l
elt very much disheartened and ifmedi-
.tely gave up all idea of taking refuge
here. l am naturally timid, though gen
rally very 10th to acknowledge it. have
natural aversion to darkness, and hor-
or of passing the night in any house
lone; l returned to the wagon with the
Intention of driving around until daylight,
With the satisfaction of having compan-
on at least in the poor horse, who, l
hink, disliked the place and circum-
tances quite as much as 1 did.
l was just stepping in when l felt !
arge drop Of rain on my hand; aud soon !
fter other drops commenced falling t
II around on the dry leaves. l could s
ave cried with fright and vexation; but
all my courage and common i
ense, tried to look at things in the right .
ray, and soon decided it would be per-
sctly useless for me to go further. That "a
reached this house so unexpectedly, i'm G
before it commenced raining, a
as surely providential occurrence, and a
ne which could not do better than avail v
lyself Of. / would at least be saved a q
ood drenching; and passing the night in a
solitary house was not 80 much worse, /
fter all, than passing it in dreary, wet |
de, through unknown regions of forest. a
ortifying myself in this way, l again v
lighted and leading old Dohbin to the n