The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1871-11-23
IDAHO WORLD.
HRAIsING THE DEVIL"

thunders pealed, the lightnings flashed
the wild beasts squealed and the ele
ments clashed, while the rain from
above in torrents dashed, when poo
preacher of the gospel wendell hi
way through the dismal intricacies O
a western forest many years ago.
The poor man felt anything but com
Portable, for he was wet through to the
skin, and almost tired to death. HI
had been tramping about since morn
ing, besides he had lost his way, SC
that the reader can guess the state Of
mind he was in, and also appreciate
the sudden transition from despair to
hope which he experienced on seeing
the glimmer of a light ahead. He
quickened his tagging footsteps and
soon came up to the light, which issued
from the only window Of solitary log
cabin in the forest.
Remembering the scriptural injunc-
ton, "Knock and it shall be opened
unto you," he did SO; but without
meeting with any response. Herapped
again, louder than before, and this
time gruff female asked:
"Who's there?"
"Its l." was the indefinite reply of
our rainsoaked parson.
"Well, who are you and what do
you want?" asked the voice, grufer
than before.
"a poor, benighted preacher of the
gospel who has lost his way, and who
wishes to stay here tonight" answered
the parson, in a dolorous voice.
"Well, stay there don't see what's
to hinder you"
"But am almost starved, and |
will pay you literally for some supper"
he responded chattering with cold and
not in the least approaching the joke.
The words "hberally pay" acted like
open sesame, and after a few moments
of delay, occasioned by the unfastening
of the door, it was opened and our
pastor entered.
He found himself in rough apart
ment with large fireplace at one end,
on which great log fire was blazing;
a rough deal table and three chairs,
besides box filled with dry fax, COM
prised its furniture.
But all minor deficiencies seemed to
be more than made up by the lady of
the house, for she was fully six feet in
height and weighed nigh unto three
hundred pounds.
After having placed some food on
the table she turned to the parson, who
stood shivering before the fire, making
futile attempts to dry himself by alter
nately turning one side, then the other,
to the fire.
"Now want you to eat this grub
as quick as you know how, and then
tramp, for it's perfectly impossible for
me to keep you here over night?" u
"But, my good woman" said the
parson, anxiously, II shall perish in
this Indictment weather; | have been I
in this fearful storm since I
and if you will have any i
passion or pity at all you will try
and give me some place where | can
De sheltered from this storm for the q
night" and he offered her five-dollar q
bill. .
"Well, said the woman, avaricious- q
y clutching the money, "if you think h
you can stayin the garnet, maybe you a
AN stay; but hurry up, for | expect Il
ny husband home every minute, and f
is as much as your life is worth if he e
hould find you here, for he's a very s.
evil incarnate, and would think no
nore of numbering you than he would c;
+ shooting grizzly!" q
The woman produced a short ladder +
s she spoke and babe the parson to
et up in the garrett f.
There was small "drop" or trap a,
DOR in the ceiling, which raised of its n =,
wn accord on the parsons head press 81 a.
lg it upward, and not without some n
ificulty he managed to squeeze him.
elf through the aperture. 90
After he was up, the woman told him W
, shut the trap and not to make any f.
Disc for his life, and then taking the W
oder away, the parson was left to his m
wn reflections. M
Wet and uncomfortable as he was, is,
s fatigue was such that he had almost br
lien asloen when ha was Disturbed =