Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-04-10

of fellow, and the hours flew rapidly
by as we conversed together. He
related stories, cracked jokes, and
sang songs, while |, in my turn, en-
livened the journey by spinning
yarns and describing various places
that ! had visited in various parts Of
the world. Some of my yarns were
rather tough, but they served to pass
the time away, and we finally reached
the edge of the woods.
"Now comes. the tug Of war;" said
| to my companion, and at the same
time large drop Of rain fell on my
hand, followed by binding flash Of
Ii0htoni~ry
STEADY" | shouted, as the horse
began to rear and plunge, and succeed
ed in calming down, we once more
proceeded on our way.
Suddenly the sound of wheels were
heard approaching, and light team
containing a single individual, swept
by with the speed of a whirlwind.
"Halloow p said my companion,
"that fellow appears to know the way
pretty we'll"
| removed the weapon that the
landlord gave me to an inside pocket,
where the rain could not injure it; and
holding in the animal, we penetrated
deeper and deeper into the lonely
wood.
The wind was rising, and it whist
led through the branches Of the lofty
pine trees with a very peculiar mourn
full sound.
| was naturally superstitious, and
where is the sailor that is not?
The rain was now falling in tor
rents, and the wind increased every
minute, till it finally blew hurricane.
The lightning flashes occasionally
lighted up the gloomy darkness with
a sudden glare, and Immediately
leaving US in the atmosphere that
was intensely black as velvet.
Finally a thunderbolt struck tree
at no great distance from US, and the
terrible crash that followed, terrified
the poor horse so completely that he
took the bit between his teeth and set
off at the top of his speed at the i'm
minent peril Of our lives.
"Confound my luck" | muttered
as | Stroye in vain to check the terri
fed horse "have [ escaped the danger
Of shipwreck and the knives of pi
rates to have my brains dashed out by
an internal horse ?"
Courage, captain, we will come
out right yet" and the words were
before we were in truth, out-out of
the carriage at any rate. The wheel,
had struck the remains of tree thai
had probably blown across our patti
by the tempest, and while the carri
age was broken to pieces, we were
thrown at some distance on one side
and with the exception of some few
trifing bruises, we had both of III
escaped injury. AS for the horse, he
never abated his speed, and diSap
peared in the surrounding gloom.
Here's a nice mess--wors'
than reefng topsail off Cape Horn il
a hail squall. | wish now | had takeI
Mason's advice and remained in tn,
city,"
Never mind, captain, | see ligh
cleaning in the distance, ana WI
will yet gain a shelter from this mer
cileSs storm"
At these words, grasping the arm
Of my companion, we stumbled on il
the direction of the light. Soon tn
deep baying of a dog was heard ant
dark distinct mass loomed up, which
| never should have taken for a house
but for the light through the lowe
windows.
Knocking at the door, it was quick
ly opened, and an old woman tai
thin, and yellow with age or sickness
stood before us, with a candle famin;
in her hand. 1t was quickly extin
guished, however, and in a hoars
voice, she invited Us to enter. W
followed her into the house, and ou
, eyes were gladdened by the sight of
large open fire place, in which a pill
of logs were roaring and burning
casting bright and unsteady ligh
! across the floor.
"a queer time of the year for s
I large a fire" whispered Wilson i
: my ear, however, it is just the thin
e to dry our clothes by and takin
chairs we sat down in front of tn
fire. Wilson explained to the old ha
the predicament we were In, and RI
t quested nights lodging for both.
Have ye the sinners to pay for
| bed croaked the woman
/ Yes I answed angrily, here
+ gold sufficient to buy your hospital
ty a dozen times over, and | thre,
i my belt containing the balance of th
d thousand dollars on the table, whe1
n it fell with a heavy clank.
/, The old lady had relighted he
e candle, as | threw the gold from M
l happened to catch glimpse of he
S face, and it was for an instant pc
J. fectly hellish in its expression, po
traying as it did, to the very lette
/, avarice, greed and crime. | regrette
e my hastiness, but it was now too la1
& to repair the damage. 1eA l.-
f who lives here besides yourself
I demanded, and the warning of N
d friend Mason flashed through n
brain: ... +.
e No one but my old man, and he