The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-12-04

at my manner and appearance, but I soon
calmcd hef fears by making known my sit
uation and business. When I asked her il
could remain there during the night, she
hesitated, and said she would let me know,
but she asked me to sit down BY the Gre. ana
warm myself. There was complets puddle
Of water where had been standing, for tho
rain was almost streaming from my gar
ments; SO l took of my overcoat, and the
lady Immediately took it ard carried it cut
Of the room.
tho warm Ere that thought of my poor
beast, and when the woman returned,
asked her if my horse could be taken care
OF. She replied in the affirmative, anc also
told me that could remain through the
night. l had left my portmanteau upon the
horse, and, of course, spoke of taking care
of the animal myself The Woman told me
that he had already been led around to the
stable, and that if wished to go out,
could do so without exposure b the Weather.
She offered to lead the way, and I followed
her.
The passage through which I was led
opened into a wood shed and from thence
passed to the stable, where a man was nii.
saddling my horse. He had a lantern, and
| could see plainly about the place spoke
to the fellow but he made me no answer. l
asked him who lived there lie mumbled
out something, but I could not understand
him. He was a curious looking fellow, and
decidedly averse to answering questions
and he was petulant and crusty, too; but
this naturally attributed to his being called
out in such weather, and, having secured my
portmanteau, made my way back to the
house.
The same woman who had thus far attend
me prepared some food for me, and politely
requested me to partake of it. Wet and
cold as l was, the fireplace was more COM
Portable and desirable than the table, but
sat me down to the repast out of courtesy.
During the evening | tried to converse
with the woman-she was my only compan.
ion-but it was with difficulty that I got any
answer to my questions. | asked her where
l was, and the only reply was dubious
shake of the head. Then asked her who
lived in the house, and she trembled, but said
nothing She seemed anxious for me to re
tire; and, at length, after had mostly dried
my garments, signifcd my readiness to be
shown to my bed. The woman actually
sprang to obey me, and, having lighted
second lamp, she lade me follow her. ] was
conducted up fight of stairs, and shown to
a respectfully furnished chamber, ard there
my guide left me.
As | was left alone, was not little puz-
zled by what l had seen and heard. The
house was evidently large one and, from
what little had seen Of the outside of it by
the lantern from the stable, Judged it to be
built of hewn timber, dove tailed together at
the corners, Will, the crevices plastered with
cement. The inside, such a. had seen, was
finished neatly with weli-matched boards,
planed and painted. 1t was strange that
had seen nothing of the owner of the place
and then the behavior Of these had seen was
equally strange. / was confident that the
house iiiust be far from any other habitatinn,
and it is not to be wondered at that allowed
an unpleasant train of suspicious thoughts
to pass through my mind.
The powder in my pistols had become
somewhat damp. My portmanteau | had
brought to the chamber with me, and in
that ! found dry powder. | carefully re-
loaded my weapons, AMI placed them under
my pillow. and, having fa-t-ned the door, l
partially addressed myself, and got into the
bed. 1t was certainly an hour before slept,
but at length the drowsy god overcame me.
could not have slept long-not over half
an hour-when was awakened by quick
shake of my shoulder. sprang up in bed,
and seized a pistol. There was a man by my
bedside, and he held lamp toward me. He
was tall, but far from being stout, and his
countenance was kind and gentle in its ex-
preston. He had entered by small door
at the end of tie room, which l had not
noticed.
"-shr' he uttered, placing his finger
upon his lip. Make no noise. Put up
your pistol"
"But what seek ye here?" TAXED, feeling
assured that my visitor meant me no harm.
81 would save you -
"Soue me?' repeated
"-sh, Yes. You have one foot in your
grave while you are here. Doyou not know
this house?''
mo. What is itT' l uttered, springing
from my bed.
"Be CAREFUL You'll wake the demon
before his time, He thinks | do not know
him, bat by chance have found him out in
time to save my own life and yoursi"
By this time had nearly dressed myself,
and, with trembling limbs, listened, while
my visitor explained himself He told me
that the owner of the house was a murderer
by professionalism he entrapped travellers.
and killed and robbed them. His tale was
a horrible one, and he had learned it all by
overhearing a conversation between the man
of the house and the fellow who had taken
care of my horse. He had himself arrived
and retired before l came along: but he had
awakened just in season to hear the conver-
sation he had related take place in an ad-
joining room.
l. 7