The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-11-02
U N D ER TIL E B E D

"My hair must, think, have turned
white in single moment. Let me tell
yoa about it, and Mrs. Hartley, a lady
Of thirty or therea5outs, with pleasant
and singularly expressive face, her head
covered with luxurious mass of hair,
silvery white, commenced the following
narrative:
"Ten years ago, this very day, l was
married. My husbands business was
such that he was not atle to leave the
city for any considerable length Of time
so my dreams of wedding tour on the
Continent were unrealized, and ! was
compelled to content myself with few
weeks travel in the West.
"After having visited several of the
principal cities, we came across an old
friend, who, with his wife. was also in
search of pleasure One evening, al
dark, we found ourselves at a little settle.
ment few miles from Milwaukee. II
had commenced to rain, the night bade
fair to be very unpleasant, and to com
plete our misery, we discovered that the
driver we had hired to take us to Mil
waukie was either terribly stupid; or 8
little intoxicated-the latter seemed
most probable. My husband, after ques.
tioning him in reference to the locality,
found that a short distance further was q
tavern, where we could spend the night
''This was very acceptable news to
for had grown exceedingly nervous
at the approach of the storm, as we'll as
at the lateness of the hour, and the sin,
gular behavior Of our guide and driver.
MY husbands Shall we stop or GO
on?' met with hearty Stop by all
MEANS from the whole party; and after
a few moments more of slow cropping
among the dripping trees, we halted be-
fore little wavside inn, which, at first
appearance, presented rather comfort
less aspect. The room into which we
were ushered was large. square. and well
lighted; a cheerful fire craekled upon the
hearth, presenting striking contrast to
the chill drizzle outside.
at did not take long to remove our
wrappings and order supper, and in a
few moments a good, substantial repast
was laid before US. After having set an
unprecedentedly long while over our cof-
fee, our friends, Mr.. and Mrs. Withers,
were placed at one end of long hall or
passage, and we at the other.
"'This is cozy,' said Frank, preparing
to retire. "The whole get up of this lit
tie place reminds ME of our country
houses in the East. I haven't had any
thing taste so good since left home, as
my supper did tonight. Plain, clean,
substantial, and enough of it, and this
amt bad,' glancing around at the snowy
dimity, ,and high feather bed. But what s
the matter with you?' he continued,
amazed at receiving no reply.
ga strange nervousness had all at
once taken possession of me, and the
sensation was 80 new that | was absO-
lutely frightened. 1t was the first time
in my llfe that I had ever experienced
such a feeling as fear, and l was too
proud to admit the truth, SO evaded his
query by declaring that l was utterly
tagged out, and needed sleep. Just then
knock was heard at the door. My hus-
band answered the summons.
"'Would you be kind enough said a
voice, which 1 Immediately recognized
as our landlords, 'to come with me to
the next house? A poor fellow has sent
for some one to read the Bible. He is in
the last agonies, sir, and l am sorry to
say no one here can do it, and l have
made bold to come and ask you. 1t
seems shame to have the poor fellow
step out without single crumb of com
fort
"I'll, be with you in a moment re-
piled Frank; and with Thank you,'
which was altogether too cringing for my
taste. the man turned away.
"'But, Frank, you are not goingt I
exclaimed in horror, as he drew on his
boots.
"'Why, Lis, what question! who
would refuse such a request ? he replied,
without looking at me- OF course, 1
am going. 1t isn't possible my little wife
would say word against so simple an
act of kindness God only knows what
straits we may be reduced to in our last
hours. ga cup of cold water in my
name," and GAS ye do it unto the least
of one of these" you remember
with a sob which / could not re-
strain, hid my face on the pillow.
"'Well, I declare, You are nervous,
he continued, leaning over the bed to
comfort me- you are actually trem-
bling. Now, be a good little girl, and
bolt the door after me. 1t isn't at all
probable shall be gone over an hour
and without another wor6,he slipped his
watch, pocket book and one Of his pis-
tolls under my pillow.
"Oh, that dreadful presentiment of
evil. for it was presentiment Of evil,
and nothing else, that made me so unwil-
ling to be left alone. 1 tried to say,
Frank, 1 will not allow this. If you in
sist upon going, will accompany you;'
but in some incomprehensi5le manner, l
was withheld. Probably, my anxiety to
stand we'll in the estimation Of my hus-
band, caused me to restrain further exhi-
bitions of timidity.
He had told ME to fasten the door,
but 1 dreaded to step out of bed. 1t
seemed as if some great, black hand was
all ready to grab at my ankle; but l
knew it must be done, and after mo-
ment's hesitation, 1 leaped out, turned
the key, drew the bolt, and with the
speed of an antelope, tucked myself down
again into the comfortable feathers.
"Sleep! l might as well have tried to
sleep in the regions of the Internal.
couldn't close my eyes even. There was
a painful sensation Of its being necessary
to keep myself close together. My feet
seemed so far away from my head that /
was compelled to draw them calefully up,
and when at last my knees touched my
chin, anG there was no further curtailing
possible, / tried to define what was
afraid of; but the more I tried the more
wretched and perplexed / became. ]
could see Nottingham nothing; but q
warning of danger had been waited to