The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-11-09
Misfellaueuas.
ADVENTURE AT A CANADIAN INN
NJ JOHN MORTIMER.

A storm had overtaken ine, and had %
increased the darkness Of the cloudy night
that could proceed no further on my way.
and accordingly had put up at this crazy
inn, in which now found myself While
the landlord was gifted with broNi, round
head. pale face and thin neck, the landlady
had long, bony neck and face, square jaw,
and an angular head, very broad nt the ears.
Mine host was an unscrupulo,is-iooklng
man; and mine hostess dangerous look.
ing woman.
was treated to a fine supper; for mine
hostess was a superb cook, and knew how
to awaken and satisfy your appetite. only
thought that if my horse was enjoying his
supper as we'll, should feel .contented for
] had n strong affection for Roady, as
called him.
The fire was warm. and the rain beat
against the windows; 80 | settled myself
down at my meal. with something OF a
coutented spirit. Not 80 when had lock.
ed myself into my chamber. There ! was
alone and had nothing to do but think,
while tho rain poured down upon the sky.
light, and the thunder shook tho house.
A man need not fear, hut he may be cnu-
tious I was cautious: and by the dim
light Of tho lamp carefully examined the
walls, the door, the window and skylight,
the fireplace. aud lastly the bed. II was
only two days before that had read Of an
inn in France, where il had been discover
ed that missing travellers were disposed ofby
machinery connected with tho bed so
examined this led with n critical eye. ]
could not help smiling to myself during the
whole performance, and would have felt
like sheep if my landlord had knocked at
the door, on some errand. But you know
how II Is if man once gets his suspicious
aroused under such circumstances, he Is
very apt 10 do rs did.
had discovered nothing unusual In the
walls, door. window, skylight or bed-on
the latter Of which I had thrown myself
without undressing-and yet l was uneasy
as tried to give myself into the arms OF
Morpheus.
At last, from sheer fatigue. 4 fell into a
ftful slumber-a slumber which nearly cost
me my life.
had slept an hour or more, troubled
continually by the most hideous dreams,
when I awoke m if by tho touch Of Inan.
I had leN my light burning, hut when was
awakened il was ont. A vivid flash Of light
ming liz up tho room through the window,
30 that | could have seen q inan had he
been at my bedside. ] could SEQ no one.
A shiver nan through me M peered into
the darkness, and I could feel the touch
that walked me, as though u hand lay on
my body still.
The thunder thnt followed the lightning
was terrific but ,lie beating on my heart
was louder to me than that. i was unarm-
ed, and there was a man In the chamber.
or this, not my mind, hut my heat was
certain. II WINS not thought, but feelings
Il was possible that was awakened by
simply twi,ching Of my body, which. in
my waking dream, would seem like the
touch Of hand and il was possible that
the lamp went out for the lack Of oil, or by
the wind that howled ly periods through
the cracked boards at the window. Yet !
knew that man was in the chamber; and,
for moment, I held my breath for fear
Of bringing him upon me by even the sound
Of my.breaihing.
In il,at brief moment bcthought me Of
some means Of defense. The picture had
often drawn to myself while lying awake
In the night, was that, if should ever be
attacked while in bed, would seize the pill.
low aud receive ihe attack upon il. did
this now, and not too soon. for form leap.
cd from the side Of the bed next the wall.
and threw itself upon me. At the same
instant the chamber wns lii by another fasl,
which revealed to me the innkecper.
saw large knife in the mir above INC, aud
then il descended with almost hiss
Had not my pillow been my shield, the
weapon would have sunk to the lilt in my
breast hut as IL was the pillow saved nlr.
The knife sank through il and touched my
body, inaicting slight fcsl wound, but
nothing more.
"Curse YOU :" cried the innkcepcr In a
hoarse voice, 'you have wit but ] have a
knife"
A he uttered the last words. he essayed
to withdraw the weapon. ut the same time
ymsping my pillow to wrench II aside.
But he had miscslculaied his man. ln my
former pictures sofi,nagination he'd thought
Of Just what would Io under such cir.
cutnstanccs and In this case dill Il exact.
g.
The moment the knife touche,l my
breast my hand was on tho arm Of the inn.
keeper and gliding rapidly down, was on
his wrist, erc he could snatch away the
blade. Ny griPe wss usually strung; and
now tho nerve Of suddenly awakened
fear and anger rendered Il temporary
vice.
Il was not the innkeepcr who succeeded
In wrnchinr aside the pillow, but my.
sell. As he stroyc to wrench il one way ]
did the other, and BY sudden twi,ch ]