Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1870-03-18

BY 7. 5. ARrHuR.

!
, , ing through thinly peopled district o.
country, night came down upon me almos
unawares. Being on foot, could not hope
10 gain the village toward which my step.
were directed, until late hour; and there
fore preferred seeking shelter and night,
lodging at the first humble dwelling thai
presented itself
Duskg twilight was giving place TO dark.
er shadows, when I found myself in the
vicinity Of a dwelling from the small uncur-
tanned windows Of which the light shone
with pleasant promise Of good cheer and
comfort. The house stood within an en-
closure, and short distance from the road
along which was moving with weari,d
ieet. Turning aside, and passing through
the lll-hung gate, | approached the dwell
ing. Slowly the gate swung on its wooden
hinges, and the rattle Of It's latch, in closing.
did not disturb the air until l had nearly
reached The little porch ia front Of the
house, 10 which 4 slender girl, who had no
ticed my entrance, stood waiting my arrival
! A deep, quick bark answered, almost like
an echo, the sound of the shutting gate
and, sudden as an apparition, the form of a
immense dog looued In the doorway. AT
the instant when be was about to spring, q
light hand vas laid upon his shaggy neck
and low word spoken.
Go in. Tiger, said the girl, not 10 a
voice of authority, yet 10 her gentle tones
vas the Consciousness that she would he
obeyed and, as she spoke, she lightly bore
upon the animal with her hand, and he
turned away, and disappeared within the
dwelling.
Who's that?" A rough voice asked the
question; and now heavy booking man took
the dogs place in the door.
How far il it to Co." a,ked. not
deeming it best to say, in the beginning. that
| sought resting place for the night.
TO c." grouled the man. but not
50 harshly as at first Its good six miles
from here
"A long distance; and IN stranger,
and on foot, said /. If you can make
room for me until morning, l will be very
thankful.
saw the girls hand move quickly up his
arm, until it rested upon his shoulder, and
now she leaned TO him still closer.
Come in. Wen try what can be done
for you
There was change in the man 5 voice
that made me wonder.
| entered large room, in which blazad
brisk fire. Before the FIRE sat two stout
lads, who turned upon me their heavy eyes,
with no very welcome greeting. A middle
aged woman vas standing at a table, and
Two children were amusing themselves with
a kitten on the floor.
"A stranger, mother, said the man who
had given me so rude a greeting at the
door; and he wants Us to let him stay all
night.
The woman looked at me doubtingly for
few moments, and then replied eoldly-
We don keep public house -
i am aware of that ma am, said
but night has overtsken me, and it's long
way yet To-
Too far for tired man to go on foot, -
said the master of the house, kindly, so
it's no use talking about it, mother; We
must give him bed
So unobtrusively that I scarcely noticed
the movement. the girl had drawn to the
woman's side What she said to her did
not hear, for the brief words were uttered
in low voice; but noticed, as she spoke.
one small, fair hand rested on the woman's
hand. Was there magic in that gentle
touch The womans repul>ive aspect
changed into one Of kindly welcome, and she
,aid
Yes, it's long way to G.. guess
We can End place for him
Many times more during that evening
did I observe the magic power of that hand
and voiee-the one gentle yet potent as the
other.
On the next morning, breakfast being
over, was preparing to take my departure.
when my host informed me that if would
wait for half an hour he would give me
iide in bis wagon to c., as business
required him to 20 there. was very well
pleased to accept of the invitation. In due
time, the farmers wagon was driven into
the road before the house, and / was invited
10 get in. netieed the horse as rough
looking Canadian pony, with certain air Of
stubborn endurance As the farmer took
his seat by my side, the family came to the
door to see us of.
Dick - said the farmer, in peremp-
tory voice, giving the reign quick jerk as
be spoke.
Dick moved not a step.
Dick you vagaboud get up" And
the farmers whip cracked sharply by the
pony's ear.
Il avaied not, however, this second ap-
peal Dick stood firmly disobedient Next
the whip was brought down upon him with
an impatient hand; but the pony only rear
ed up little. Fast and sharp the strokes
were next deale to the number of halfa-
dozen. The man might as well have beaten
bis wagon. for all his end was gained.
A stout lad came now out into the road,
aud catching Dick by the bride, ierked him
forward, using at the same time, the Gus
tomary language on such occasions, but
Dick met this new ally with increased stub
borDuess, planting his forefeet more firmly,
and at sharper angle with the ground.
The inpatient boy now struck the pony on
the side Of his head with his cleDched hand,
aud ierked cruelty at his bride II availed
nothing, however; Dick was not to be
wrought upon by any such arguments.
Don't do 50. John!" I turned my head
as the sweet maiden's voice reached my ear
She was passing through the gate into the
road, and, in the next moment, bad tsken
hold Of the lad and drawn him away from
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