The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-09-08
nv Ea,sie Adveature.

Trapped, ana q voice replied" J" come IMP
"a cherry, resonant voice" come in p
and |, half frozen, Of course, went in.
As the door opened to my hand, beheld
the rotund form Of a woman Of some thirty
years of age, whose smiling countenans'
welcomed me, as she placed q chair By th'
ere, and with true western hospitality in
vited me to take seat and make myself
comfortable.
accepted the invitation, and hugged tn,
FIRE as closely as due sense OF duty to my
new greys would warrept, informed her
had got bewildered when the storm came
on, and the snow had covered the always
blind track that run 80 unintelligibly ovei
the prairies that had lost all knowledge Of the
points of the compass, had wandered on
until nearly discouraged, had hailed with
delight the CLEAN Of light from the window
struggled up to it, and should trespas upon
hsr Kindness for the night, and get some Of
her folks 70 conVe, ne to my stopping psscs
in the morning.
She informed me that her husband had
gone to the mill with jag OF wheat, and
would remain until noon the following day
but was entirely welcome to such accom-
modations and humble fare as her poor roof
could afford for the night
The house was one OF those log buildings
SO common through the western county,
containing but one large, low room on the
ground floor, clAy-chinked walls, q rough
planked flooring, bed in one corner, and
a number Of treacherous-loOking benches,
scattered promiscaously about the apart
meut.
I had got SO far in my survey, when a
black hatred, rosy faced urchin of some
twelve winters, burst open the door with
the alarming information that the sheep
had escaped the fold, and had wandered
into the wood, no one knew when or where.
With the energy and decision Of pioneer
woman or the West, my hostess seized q
cloak and hood, told I" Chris" to saddle
Ned and Bally, and with q" sha'nt be
gone long, 20 me, hurried out OF the door.
Soon the soft tread of the horses, muftied
by the snow, passed the door, and melted
gradually in the distance.
Well, here was an adventure. was left
in sole possession of the establishments
would make the most Of this when reached
home, 'twould be worth telling.
hugged the nre stin closer in my con-
tentment, congratulating myself upon che
8O~A
Of runaway sheep, leaned ~ bead against
the tough logs Of the wall, and prepared
myself for comfofs sabie nap, pending the
search for the lost sheep, which mentally
concladed would be an unsucoesstGi one
Cogitating the fsdlishness Of sheep In
general, and this los 10 particular,
Closed my eyes inveiuntatily, and had
nearly lost my conscics sness, when low
smothered chuckls from the corner Of the
door, where the bed stood, causing me- to
open my eyes in some haste.
had imagined myself alone IN the house
what could it bef No-noise-no move
ment for the space Of . minute or more
sat watching the door and listening intent.
llv. Could it be | was dreaming when
beard the chuckle2 No-'twas too real.
A movement Of the bed caught my stteu
ton. I watched it closely.
I am not q man gifted with great person
al courage. ! am constitutionAlly, nervou
and timid, and when the suppressed chackl
was repeated, and the covering Of the be-
stirred could not have stood alone, con
yeniently; my knees were decidedly shaky
Rooted to the chair sat, as the coverin
Of the bed was removed. and beheld
woman Of colossal proportions rise up, an
swing her bare feet clear Of the clothing
over the side Of the bed.
She gazed at me steaafastly and woudel
ingly. She was woman between fifty an
sixty years Of age, strong and muscular
lperlect giantess, large-featured Il nevs
shall forget that face) dark, glean.in,
! bloodshot eyes, thick, protruding lips, palli
: face, surrounded by a wasa of tAnglet
Q grIsly hair.
Swinging her uncovered feet ON the sid
8 LOT the bed, che gave one Of the most 6endis
laughs ever heard, pointing her long, bon
fingers at me, showing = row Of large, PR
ljecting teeth.
Cold shiyers Of fear ran over me from u
head to my feet. I coald feel my fa,
blanche to deathly whitsness as sbe NOV.
from the bed, took a'bench, and st dow
lby the door, gathering her scanty drapel
Iaround her.
Hooked eagerly ,aboatfor some avenue
sescape. could see none without runniI
,tthe gauntlet Of the maniac st the doc
'tWould be certain death 10 attempt it.