Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-11-06

Ntbho "No iOi oOAiC AAhlS bhAiNN'NN3 sttiN
it was not till had knocked again and
again, that the door opened, and gruf
voice asked what wanted.
Can you give me lodging for the
night?' | replied.
was told to come in, and found my
self in a room of moderate size, misera-
bly, furnished. A log fire was burning
on the hearth, and two persons occupied
the apartment. The oGe that opened the
door to me was a man about fifty years
of age, very stoutly built, and possessed
of a very sinister expression of counte>
nance. The second occupant was none
other than the absconding clerk. then
knew that l was in Mr.. Munseps house,
and / congratulated myself on my good
fortune. l noticed that as l entered he
cast scrutinizing glance at me; but as
felt assured he did not know me per-
sonally, I experienced no alarm.
4 have lost my way in the forest, said
|, in answer to their looks of interroga-
ton, 'and if you will afford me shelter for
the night, I shall be happy to repay you
for your hospitality
BE good enough to sit down. said Mr..
Theodore Munsel, his eyes sparkling
when the word repay was used.
Where are you goiDg? asked his
nephew, fixing another searching look on
my face.
4 am going to Centreville. l left
Parkville at six o'clock, but l suppose |
mistook the road, for l have been wan
dering about the woods ever since
You are fifteen miles from Centreville,
said the uncle, with kind of leer.
You do not belong to this part of the
country? ? said the bankers clerk.
No. replied, 4 am from Virginia
What is your business ?
4 am collector for house in Rich,
mond.'
I should have taken you for Yankee
said the young man.
No, indeed l replied, with an attempt
to smile.
The uncle and nephew now left the
room, and l could hear them whispering
together in the next apartment. Still
did not feel any uneasiness, for l relied
on the fact that I-Gas unknown to the
clerk. They soon returned
to the apartment where sat.
'We have only one room in the house,
said the uncle as he entered if you will
not mind sleeping with a son Of mine,
you can have part of his bed.'
j, of course, Immediately consented,
glad enough to find any place where l
could rest my weary limbs.
After pause of few minutes | pull
I'd out my watch, and said | should like
10 60 to bed. | noticed at the time sig
1ifcant looks pass between the uncle and
nephew when they saw my watch. 1t
was fine gold one--a real Cooper-and
had been presented to me by an import
sr of watches for services rendered.
You will find my son next the wall,
said the uncle. You will have the good
ness not to awaken him, for he has been
sick lately, and has to get up very ear I
" g
/ replied that l would certainly avoid a.,
waking him. The uncle took up can f
lie, aud showed me to a room up stairs (; (
t was the only habitable sleeping room
n the house, and was situated over that Z
n which we had been seated. Caution
ng me to put out the light as soon as ] :
vas in bed, be left me.
1 found myself in a room the exact P
of the one below, excepting
hat this one contained bedstead. Sno-
ing on the bed next the wall was man I
ONE years younger than myself. | eau :
iously brought the light to bear on his
ace. The first thing that struck me was,
hat the man below had deceived me
yhen he had told me his son was sick
lie was undressed and wore on his head
night-cap.
A vague sensation of uneasiness crept
yer me. l regretted having entered the
ouse, and looked round the room for n
means of exit. There was only one door
a the room, that by which had enter n
d. Opposite the door was a window. Il
walked up to it, and endeavored to peer t
trough the outside darkness, but could s.
istinguish nothing. / tried to reason t.
way my forebodings, aud succeeded in
Ding so to some extent.
began to prepare for bed, and had D
lready taken off my coat and waistcoat, ?
7hen l fancied heard a step on the 0
fairs. / Immediately extinguished the '