, 1864-04-02


SO beat the ashes out Of my pipe, but.
toned my coat close to the throat, and
chirping encouragingly, pushed forward
gallantly, though not at headlong speed.
But the flush and exultation Of my ride
were over; a strange weird nervousness
had succeeded. The noise of wild swine
in the brush alarmed me; twice laid my
hand agitatedly upon my sword, and once
halted with drawn pistol at the shrek Of q
frightened night-hawk. Ashamed of these
unmanly weaknesses, l thought to compose
myself by singing cheerful stave, but my
voice was SO hollow and unreal, that shud-
dered and ceased. At last, with a loud
+" Woa," and chill, quick quiver, stopped
in the middle of the road, and felt the per.
spiration standing like nightdev on my
forehead. -aaa
], too, was lost !
My first impulse was to retrace my steps,
but after-though hit suggested that l might
60 still further astray, turning in the dark
ness into some more devious and dangerous
path. l then bethought me of resting for
the night, wrapped in my saddle-blanket,
and waiting for daylight to assist me but
my horse was weary and hungry, and should
have provender and shelter. While thus
doubtful and perplexed, / heard tread
among the pines to the left, followed by a
crash, and hard, heavy breath. My hand
reached nervously for my pistol. stood
erect in the stirrups, pecring through the
gloom with my finger pressing tightly against
the trigger, and stammering challenge
upon my lips. A dark object bounded
from the brush, and passing across the road
close before me, disappeared. resolved
it into horse, and in the dim, uncertain
shadow, saw that it was lame!
Curing my cowardice, I replaced the
pistol in its holster, and chipping to my
beast, went wearily onward. There ives a
chance, at least, that l should reach some
secluded farmhouse or fiegro-hut. After
the space Of half hour, l came to fence
and gate, and to my great relief discerned
the stacks and out-houses Of farm. A
second gate through which passed creaked
dismally behind me, and shut with loud
noise, but turning the angle Of log-cabin,
| had the satisfaction of dismounting before
an ancient Virginia residence, where can
die still burned in the lower story, and
streaming through window, east food Of
light across the yard.
There were, as / saw at glance, two
wells, one modern in construction, consist
ing Of windlass and chain for raising or
lowering the bucket; but the other was a
description of well fund only in America,
and even there rapidly falling into disusc,
known as the pole or balance-well. 1t con-
sisted Of a long hickory pole or shaft, sus-
pended from forkeG or crotched upright,
aud tied at its short or tapdring end to a
pendant or rod. TO this was attached the
bucket, which could be readily lowered by
hand, and hoistcd BY the superior weight Gf
the long end Of the pole. l. was -paFticu.
larly attracted TO this latter well, because,
curiously enough, the heavy end Of the
pole was in the ar, and the bucket appa-
rently at the bottom Of the well. The we'll
hole was covered with planks, and from the
circumstance Of broken plow being de-
posted above them, l inferred that the well
was no longer used. II had quaint and
venerable appearance, standing thus in the
night, aud | wondered that its position
should be so reversed.
Leapihg lightly up the steps, and trav-
crsing the porch, 1 knocked thrice, quickly
and loudly. Some shutting of feet and
earnest whispering ensued, aud then hide
ously-deforned boy opened the door. l do
not know that have ever seen "a face SO
tcrror-stricken; his lips were quiyering,
his knees trembling, and the hand by which
he held the latch shivered and ratified in. a
fearful manner. l saw at glance that one
Of his feet was dubbed, and that his right
arm was short and withered. Beside a
blazing log-fre in a great sooty chimney
place sat two girls aud very old man, who
seemed quite as i'll at ease. The pa.e faces
Of the girls were little,relieved by the atti-
tude Of the man, who had attempted to rise.
but appeared to have been paralyzed in the
act. In his hand he grasped the tOngs, and
his face expressed conflicting emotions df
hate, fear, and despair.
STOOD evening"" said soothinglt :" j
hope that haven't disturbed you.'
You have disturbed me" said the old
man, nttling the tonss in his quakipg fn-
gers you ha' nigh been the death o me.
You ha' given me turn that'l shorten my
days. What are you arter, on folks pro-
perty in the dead hour o night, knoekin'
at their doors, aud scarin' their wimmin?"
At this one Of the girls began to sob, and
the eyes Of the cripple dilated with rage.
Compose yourselves" said !, walking
into the room, my spurs Gathering, and my
sword dragging along the floor; q. / am not
an enemy, though l wear the uniform Of
one. / am soldier, as you see, astray and
wearied, and willing to pay for bed by
your frc, and little eorn for my horse"
1--WE ha' nayther bed nor corn for Yam
KEGS. You ha' overrun our farms, and mur-
dered our boys. Beggary and tears come
upon you all, Us you ha' brought them upon
us%
"Nay, then,r said /, drawing up chair,
and seating myself resolutely by the hearth,
+" since you are SO inhospitable, l must take
what you will not sell. Here sit, and here
l shall remain. IL there is food in your
stable, must seize enough for my beast,
and at daylight ! will leave you"
The cripple looked murderously into my
eyes here, us If measuring my strength and
coursge; but l quietly removed my spurs,
cast of my sword, and asked him the way
49, L. A.N l.