The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-12-25
A NIGHT OF HORROR.

"My prematurely wrinkled face, and my
gray hair, have often been the source OF
wonder and question. And while | have
always had the inclination to inpart a
knowledge Of facts to the curious, never,
until tonight, have had sufficient strength
and courage to tell tie story that, even at
this distant time. thrills and fills me with
vague horror and alarm.
about ten years since, | had occasion to
60 to Anselmo, little town out West.
'It ia, even to this day. disagreeable and
dangerous journey to perform, and then it
was particularly SO. But, when a wife
recognizes the predominant duty of her life
to be strict and unque.tioning obedience to
her husband, neither rough fare nor fearful
roads can deter her in the prosecution of the
set purpose of her soul.
my husband had invested his ready funds
in a piece of property in Ansolmo, and,
although he was not by any means man of
wealth, he was able TO surround me, gener-
ously with all the comforts, if not the lux
uries of life.
My marriage with him had met with the
genuine affection had predom mated over
any proposed worldly considerations
MY husband being, however. unpopular
amid the domestic circle, because of his
financial Inability to conform to their uni
versal ideas of what was requisite in a life
of civilization and refinement, determined
he would 90 .'ous We~t," and, if he found
l., 4
his means, and appriSe Inc in due time where
and how to join him.
I'VE bad one child the idol of our hearts,
and, as | remember the parting. now, it
seemed much more difficult to my husband to
say goodbye to Eddie than to me.
''Well, he went away, and | tried to be
cheerful and happy, and succeeded.
Every day Eddie displayed a new accom-
plishment or an unexpected power, or an
unirnagined grace, and | en- gerry anticipated
the time when his father could sec him
again.
The winter, the spring, the summer
passed away in successive seasons before
one word from Clarke summoned me from
our native village.
81 do not think that my relatives realized
how dear my child and were to them until
we left them.
''They were extremely averse to my pro-
posed attempt to make the journey alone.
''For a long time there was in their oppo-
sition, bitterness against my husband, but
this feeling WAS finally overwhelmed by in
dignation against me for my persistent de-
termination to adhere faithfully to Clark's
expressed desire that | should lose no time in
joining him.
There were many hundred miles to
travel by rail, but finally | was directed to
stop at particular station and there hire a
conveyance and proceed to road side inn,
where | was to await the arrival of my
husband who would join me as expeditioasly
as possible.
The rail travelling was pleasant and easy,
and, more than all, replete with interest for
me, for, until he summoned me west, had
never been more than fifty miles from
home.
81 took note of every thing, and had a
hea rtful of pleasantly and gossip to tell him
when we were costly seated by our own
freside.,
"Arrivng at the station, found convey
ance, which, at an exorbitant price, was
bired to me for the journey to the roadside
tavern.
This latter part of my travel was disa-
greeable.
"A great, burly, countryinan with the
crossest and sulkiest face | have ever seen,
drove the vehicle, which was rafting ma
chine of broken springs and worn-out
leather seats, and ragged stufy-smelling
curtai ms.
Nevertheless it was all so much better
than expected that | was in quite state
Of delight.
'''rhe driver was my dread along the lonely
- ,,.J | .I,upsJ Esie}ie. cl.Spv In my arms