The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-05-12
,rs before apv doubt entered my head.

into a narrow path knew, then, that there
must be something wrong, for the people OF the
town, Of whom / had inquired, had informed
me that the road to Mr.. Theodore MunseF;
house was pretty good all the way. l paused
for a moment irresolute, and did not know
whether to retrace my steps or press forward.
1t had now become pitch dark, and determined
to 90 on, well assured that | could not fiEd my
my way back. Ihad not proceeded many steps
before 1 became convinced that was wander
| irg about in q forest. The underbrush began
now to seriously impede my progress, and
found great difficulty in keeping on my feet.
My position was anything but agreoable-in
the midst cf forest on a dark night. | can
not tel how passed the three ensuing hours
they appeared three centuries to me. | suppose
| must have walked the same path over and
| over agaia. [ was at last completely overcome
/ by physical fatigue, and sank exhausted on the
stump of a tree
I rested my head upon my hands, and deter-
mined to pass the night there, being now GER
tain that it was perfectly futile endeagoring to
find my waytillnorning. While in this STOPPING
position, thought ! saw a light gmmer through
the trees. looked earnestly, and became CON
vinced that such was really the fact. I'M
mediateiy determined to make for it, hoping to
find shelter for the night, | advanced in that
direction, and soon reached dilapidated house
built entirely Of wood, it was a miserable look
ing abode, and had it not been for my tired
condition, should have hesitated in seeking It's
shelter But anything was better than spend
ing the night ia the forest so resoluely knock
ed at the door. My summons was for some
time uHhceded, and it was not till had knock
ed again and again, that the door opened and a
oraif voice asked what | wanted.
''Can YOU give me lodging for the night p
I replied
/ I was told to come in, and found myself in a
/ rf,9m Of moderate size, miserab!y furnished.
! A loq IRE was Earning on the hearth, and two
persons occupied the ,2naTtment.-Ihe on2 that
| opened the door to me was man about fifty
| years Of age, very stoutiy built, anG possessed
/ of very sinister expression of counten2nee'
! Tue second occupant was none other than the
| absconding clerk | then knew that | was IN
| Mr. Munsels house, and [ congratulated my
| self On my good fortune. | noticed that as
entered he cast a scrutinizing glance at me- but
as felt assured he did not know me personally,
| / experienced no alarm.
Il have lost my way in the forest" said l,
| in answer to their looks of interrogation, 'and
! if you will afford me shelter for the night, /
shall be happy to repay you for your hospitali-
! ty"
:'Be good enough to sit down." said Theo-
dore Munsel; his eyes sparkling when the word
| 'repay" was used.
.,Where are you going?" asked his nephew,
and then fixing another searching look on my
| face.
II am going to Centreville left Parkville
at six o'clock, but suppose mistook the road,
for have been wandering about the woods ev-
er since"
''You are fifteen miles from Centreville,"
said the uncle with a kind of leer.
you DO not belong to this part Of the coun-
try 2" said the bankers clerk
NO" l replied II am from the State Of
Virginia"
'What is your business %
Il am collector for housein Richmond" "
II should have taken you for a Yankee" )"
said the young man.
mo, indeed 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 relied on the fact that was
unknown to the absconding clerk.-They soon
returned to the apartment where / sat.
owe 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 a
part of his bed
I, of course, Immediately consented, glad
enough to find any place where 1 could rest
my weary limbs.
After a pause Of q few minutes pulled out
my watch and said should like to go to bed.
| [ noticed at the time significant looks pass be-
tween the uncle and nephew when they saw
my watch. It was fine one-a real Cooper
and had been presented to me by an impor-
| ter of watches for services which l had rem
dered.
'FYou will find my son next to the wall, ="
said the uncle '>You will have the goodness
not to awaken him, for be has been sick lately,
and has TO get up early"
I replied that / would certainly avoid wax
ing him. The uncle took up q candle, and
showed me to a room up stairs; it was the on
ly hab;table sleeping room in the house, and was
situated over that in which we had been seated.
! Cautioning me to put out the light as soon as |
was in bed, he left me.
found myself in room the exact counter
part of the one below excepting that this one
contained a bedstead Snoring on the bed next
J to the wall was man some years younger than
myself cautiously brought the light to bear
on his face. The first thing that struck me
was, that the man below had deceived me when
he had told me his son was sick. He was un-
dressed and wore on his head night cap
A vague sensation of uneasiness crept over
me. regretted having entered the house, and
looked round the room for means Of exit
There was only one door IN the room, that by
which had entered. Opposite to the door
was a window. I walked up to it, and endeav-
ored to peer through the outside darkness but
, could distinguish nothing. I tried to reason a