Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-08-29
SELECTED STORY.
RAISING THE DEVIL.
An Incident in the Life of Peter Cart
right.

Il was dark and tempsteous night, a
night to Eli the soul with fright; the
lightning flashed, the wild beasts sqaealed,
when a poor preacher of the gospel wen
ded his way through the dismal intrca-
cies of western forest many years ago.
The poor man felt anything but COM
Portable for he was wet through to the
skin, ard almost tired to death. lie had
been trampipg around since morning, be-
sides he had lost his way, SO the reader
can imagine what state of mind he was
in, and also appreciate .he sudden transi
tion from despair to hope which he expe-
rienced on seeing the glimmer of light
ahead of him. HI quickened his flag
gened footsteps and soon came to the
light, which issued from the only window
Of a solitary log cabin in the forest.
Remembering the soriptural injunction
Knock, and it shall be opened unto
you," he did SO, but without any response.
He raped again, lordcr than before, and
this time gruff female voice asked:
"Who's there?'
lit is l." was the infinite reply Of the
rain soaked person.
well, who are, you and what do you
want?" asked the voice g:uffer than be.
fore.
A poor benighted preacher of the Cos
pei who has lost his way, and wishes tie
stsy her all night. answered the preacher
in dolorous voice.
"Weu, stay thsre-l don't see what's
to hinder you"
But am almost starved, and " i'll
pay you literally for some supper" he
responded. his teeth chattering with cold i,
and not in the least approaching the
joke.
The words 'lbcrally pay acted like a
charm, and after few moments delay
caused BY the unfastening of the door,
it was opened. and our pastor entered.
lie found himself in rough apart
mcnt with large fire place at one end,
on which log was blazing; rough deal
table and three chars, besides a box III
cd with dry fax, composed the furniture.
But oil minor deficiencies seemed to
be made up by the landlady ofthe house.
for she WAS fully six feet in hight, and
weighed nigh unto 800 pounds.
A fter having placed some food on the
table. she turned to the parson who stood
shivering before the fire, making futile
attempts to dry himself, alternatsly turn
ing one side and then the other to the
FIRE. .Y..
Now. | want you to eat this grub as
quick as you know how, and then tramp.
for i, is impossible for me to keep you
over night"
"But, nv good woman" said The par
son anxiously. Il shall perish in this in
clement weather. ] have been wander
ing in this fearful storm since morning,
and if you have any compassion or pity
at all you will try and give me some
place where | can be sheltered from tn is
storm for the night" and he offered five
dollar bill.
"Well." said tho woman avaricious1y
clutching the money, "if you think you
can sleep in the garrett, maybe you can
stay; but hurry up. for I expect my hus-
band home every minute, and it's as much
az your life is worth if he should catch
you tere, for he is q perfect devil iucar-
nate; would think DO more of murderi ng
you than he would of shooting grizzly
bear.
The woman produced ladder as she
spoke, and babe the parson 60 Up in the
garrett.
7 There was small ''drcp," Or trap
door in the ceiling, which raised Of It's
own accord on the parsons head pressing
| it it up ward. and not without some diff
fculty he managed to squeeze himsel!
through the aperture. After he was up
the woman toll! him to shut the trap and
not make any noise for his life, aud then
taking the ladder away. the preacher was
left to his own reflections.
Wet and uncom Portable as he was, his
fatigue was such he had almost fallen
asleep when he was disturbed by some
one knocking at the door.
Being curious to know What kind Of a
looking man his unknown host was, he
rose and pcored through g crack in The
fo3r into the room underneath. He saw
the woman open the door cautiously and
after admitting short thick set man, 10
a Leavy cloak closed it again.
FROM the mysterious actions ard whls-
10 inrs that eusucd, our parson right,