The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-01-19
Miscellaneous.
A STRANGE AND THRILLING STORY

The night t'shadOWS were beginning
to settle down upon the earth. All
day the rain had been falling, some
times in heavy showers I; the roses and
pinks in the garden had sickly look,
for the petals hung low and were heavy
with water, and with mud which had
splashed upon them. The clouds were
still dark and threatening, bespeaking
stormy night. The little town of
Ashton was unusually quiet. The
streets were too muddy and the wealth
er too inclement to entice people from
their homes. Only now an d then a SOL
itary traveller was to be seen. These,
business had driven forth; and they
walked with rapid steps, anxious to
again get under shelter.
In vine wreathed cottage on flow
er sprinkled lawn the supper had been
waiting over an hour for the m aster of
the house, whose business had necessi-
tated his being absent from home all
day. Mr.. Jacobs was the tax collector
Of the township, and consequently
could not wait the return of pleasant
weather before pursuing his journey.
Therefore he had equipped himself in
his india-rubber over-garment in the
.lorning and had gono about hf5 bus
! mess, leaving his wife the promise of
an early return in the evening, but sup.
per hour had come and gone without
his making an appearance. Mrs. ia
cobs, however, was not anxious as yet.
Such delays were too frequent to cause
this one to give her any uneasiness OF
mind.
She fitted about the house, busy with
her evening duties, singing gay song
as she Went. She was bright little
woman, witt, a world of courage writ
ten in her dark sparkling eyes, and on
the firm red lips.
Anon she disrobed her two little ones
and put them to bed, and when the
night shadows turned into an inkey
blackness she seated herself by the
lamp and began to sew, still leaving
the supper-table spread, and the food or
the stove keeping warm for the return
of her husband. But the little clock or
the mantle shelf had told the hour of II
before his step was heard at the door
: He came in hurriedly, and strobe to {
seat without removing his drippin!
outer.garmepts or his muddy boots.
"Was detained. Am in an awfu
hurry. Going to Winchester tonight, ,
diving his hand into pocket of his in
: ner coat, and glancing anXiously arount
i the room.
!! "To Winchester ~ repeated his wifi
in dismay. "Twenty miles in tn
storm !"
"Cqn't be helped" he returned
Cuisines is business, you know"
He removed his hand from his pock
ct, and took Off his hat, and brushed
back his fair hair revealing the rathe
handsome face of light complexioneC
; middle.aged man. He had large gra.
eyes, but they wore an anxious expires
sion, and their glance wandered rest
lessly about the apartment.
; "Jane," he said suddenly, again div
) ing his hand into the troublesome pock
ct, "do you suppose you could take car
of large sum of money till to-mOl
, row?"
i "Why, yes" she answered, lookin
l. up in surprise.
81 have collected five thousand do
lars" he continued, "and it Is too lat
= to get it into the bank, and l do nc
dare to carry so much with me-"
2 "Well you can leave it here as we
as not. No one would think of m
having such sum with me-"
He drew large wallet from his pocl
II ct and placed it in her hands.
= "It belongs to the government, an
,ee e if you let it pass from your hands / al
g. ruined" he commented. And he aros
20 as if to depart.
"You are going to eat some supper
she inquired.
'No, have no time to lose. / mu
in make Winchester by midnight. Goo
9i bye, Take good care of the none
Or and fasten all the doors"
v He gave her hurried kiss, and Il
- next moment he was gone.
But the sound of his footsteps hi
scarcely died away before Mrs. Jaco
began to feel strange fear creepiI
1hg over her. Why it was she knew NJ
or She had lived there seven years, al
is slept in the house many night wit
10 out the doors being even shut. Nc
they were locked and bolted, she cou
= not think of going to bed. She was {
nervous for that, She put the mon
in her dress pocket, and clasping be
,h ,pt tightly in her hands, she sat very sti
'int gazing anXiously into nothingness, a
On listanad On intanflv that silanca haoa,