The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-01-27
IFrom American Volunteer, PittsburghI
IEEE EsEAACRA ES1G.
by ARTugR SAMPLE.

Biy grandfather was iourneying 10 Pitts
buFgh from his heme in Lancaster coun-
ty, when his horse became uRwell sudden /
ly when he wac some fifty-eight miles
distant frsm his Destination. My grand /
father placed his horse under the care of /
a reliable farmer, with whom he remained (
over night, and suddenly resolved to pros
ecute the balance of the journey afoot.
He war an extraordinary walker, and he
proposed accomplishing the fifty-eight
mlss in one day. Aud what is more he
did it, entering the city early in the eyen-
ing, bot rather worn.
Ills errsud to Pittsburgh was simply
the collection of a large sum of money,
wEich was due him from man whose
reputation was fast fading. After short
delay he succeeded in regaining his money,
which LIS received IN bank notes, and im-
rnediatcly deposited in belt around his
body, as was the custom in those days
lie received the money on the morning
OF tie third day after he arrived In Pitts
burgh; ono hour afterwards he was on
his road home, afoot. 1t was then nine
O'Clock bat lie hoped TO reach the farm
house where he left his horse that night.
Perhaps he might have accomplished all
lac intended had not a painful accident
prevented him. in springing across a small
stream bis foot slipped upon pebble, and
lie sprained his ankle. Still he continued
his journey stubbornly, taking his meals
on the roadside. In those days houses
were not so thick upon the pike, well
travelled though it was, and whea my
grandfather had eaten his supper in a
rsthor Indifferent farm house, be remem-
bered that he had at least nine miles TO
walk before he would ind another to rest
III. Sill he strobe on undaunted, swing
ing his stout walking>stick, thinking how
pleasant be would feel back at home once
more,
The night was exceedingly beautiful
Mile after mile was measured patiently,
when he felt the gentle influence of sleep
stealing over him. The miles grew lono>
er; his ankle panied him very much his
syelids dropped laHguidIy at last he had
but one thought-to find nice soft spot
TO rect under the shade of q tree. Like
wSariod soldier at the end of a long
night-march, he flung himself down at
last upon the sward next the roadside.
and pillowing his head upon a stone, like
Jacob, fell fast asleep
My dcars, did you ever ponder over
that great mystery, sIeepl How like it
IS to death yet how unlike. The French
have word that expresses it exactly, but
dare not trust my tongue TO pronounce
IT. There lay a man wiik g small for
tune around his body, which he would
fight for, awake, to death, and which he
priced for the good he hoped it would
bring 10 his children--tiare he .ay like
stone, at the mercy Of the night walker
like himsc!i that came along.
He wRs awakened suddenly by a very
large black dog, partly Newfoundland,
which stood looking down in his face
earnestly, while licking his cheek with is
tongue. My grandfather stroked the dog
composedly, spoke TO it, and composed
himself 10 sleep again the moment the dog
Left him. And then he bad horrible
dream. Three men followed him along
the road as he was travelling homawards,
keeping just within sight of him, stopping
when ne atopped, moving when he moved.
Then two of tho men disappeared. At
The end of half an hour, they suddsnIy
appeared again in front of him, holding
immense bludgeons in their hands, and
blocking his progress. He knew then
'hat he must die :; but he advanced stead
inst the largest Of tho men who
his progress, aimed a powerful
At him, when he was struck on the
of the head by the third, who had
r
'r awoke to find the great dog locking
down into his face q second time, and
licking his cheeks tenderIy. Sitting bolt
upright, rubbing his eyes open, and gazing
around hurfiediy, my grandfather assured
himself that he had been dreaming. The
great black dog began 10 whine, ran off
i;ttle distance, returned, barked shortly
and rapidly, came back once more, and
stood beside him, whining anxiously.
Then my grandfather regarded that as
sign, end rose and followed the dog,
looking around him now and then, TO see
II any one was IN sight. The dog red my
grandfather of to the right of the main
road, and about mile along a by-road
from that back again TO the pike, through
by>path, some four miles altogether.
when the dog suddenly turned around.
stood stock still, and looked up at him,
giving low short barks, and waeging his
tail, as If highly delighted with his per-
formsnce. My grandfather always aver
red that his manner then was more like
the congratulations Of an Intelligent being
Ihan anything he ever witnessed on the
part of an animal. IIs strovc TO detain
The dos by cOsxing, stroting and wheed-
ling lie even grasped the collar around
his neck but the dog broke loose with
bound, barking glsefully, and snuGing the
air, trotted back through tho by path.
Taken in connection with the dream,
] think you viii aeree with me. NY dsars.