The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-12-27

ed up on each side by thick masses of snow.
Some little way down this lane two or three
lights were seen family glimmering, which
the travellers supposed to be displayed in
the windows Of the farmhouse in question.
" He must know the way well indeed to
be able to find it on such q night rs this"
said Catherine Farquhar to Mr.. Hartley
in half whisper, and with emphasis.
"Ohr' said that gentleman carelcssly,
"these drover-graziers know their counties
we'll He has probably travelled it often
with his fat bullocks."
They now descended from the COACH and
by the aid of dark lantern which the
guard produced from the boot, that worthy
and the three passengers proceeded in the
| direction Of the lights, leaving the coach
man to follow them, somewhat more slow
ly, with his jaded horses. The young
grazier led the way, with tho encouraging
remark now and then to his companions
that it "was not much farther"
To the others, however, the distance
though in reality but half mile down the
lane, appeared interminable. At every
other step the luckless travellers went al
most to their knees in snow and Catherine
was at last about to succumb to the drowsy
feeling produced by intense cold, and to
declare that she would rather lie down and
die than proceed farther, when the baying
of dog close at hand told them that they
had arrived at their destination.
BY the faint gimmer of the lights in the
windows-more than one of which lights
had been eXtinguished since they first en-
tered the lane-they could barely discern
that the house was long, low, struggling
building, of the same style as that occupied
by the famous Mr.. Squeers and that it was
surrounded by large number of crazy
barns and outhouses. It was situated in a
hollow of the hill, which afforded it pro-
lection from the bleak winds of the sur
rounding moor but as even in summer
time it was an isolated, lonely place, and
indeed, the only human habitation for
miles, it may be readily surmised that,
blockaded as it now was by the SHOWS of
winter, it appearance was desolate in the
extreme.
The Red Moor was said by some to be SO
termed on account of murder which had
taken place there many years previously +;
but it is more probable that it took it's name
from the great profusion of heather which
was rather Of a crimson tint than of the
usual purple hue In winter, however, it
was a bare black waste of litter and bog
except when covered, as now, by thick
white mantle of snow.
Miss Farquhar shuddered when she be-
held the grim-looking, shed-like building,
and even Mr.. Hartley experienced an un-
pleasant sensation when he felt the thrill
that ran through his companions frame
as she leaned upon his arm.
"NTy salzes y he said, =" but this be a
black-looking hotel"
"Any port in a storm friend" said the
graEier. Besides, it is better in than out. :"
And he knocked against the door heavily
with his foot.
The summons was answered by "a tall
notwithstanding virago, weired, grizzly
looks and scanned face, as they showed
themselves in the ghastly light of the rush
candle which she carried in her bony hand,
rendered her not uniting representative
of one Of Macbeth's witches.
Her first inquiry, pitched in key which
denoted excessive wrath, was
" Who the dell comes here, knocking
a lone woman out of bed at sic like hours ?''
But no sooner had she set eyes on the
drover than she exclaimed, in u tone OF
intense surprise
"My oertie joe is it?'
Probably at some sign from the person
she addressed, the virago now changed her
note.
81 beg your honor's pardon-I mus mis-.
take
"No apology, good dame but will you