The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1875-02-26
HOW / BECfNE RTCH.
4 CNIjJ0rHiH SUrrGfirr.

~ w ~" -f'f =
About seven miles southwest OF the
middle Fork of Bowider Creek WAS Il
farmhouse that went by the name Of
Bloom Fallow. An exceedingly retired
man, srrmised to be an Englishman,
named Kent, lived there in great seclu-
sion with his single servant, III old man,
who Owned-and that Was all yOu could
get him to own to-the name OF Jerry.
As 30 when Kent came there, or who he
was before he came there, ~ how he
made a livmg-thcre being no appear
ance of farming or stock-raising going
on-nobody knew. Happening myself,
however, to become possessed somewhat
siDgularlY of certain interesting particu-
lars on the subject, l viii lay them before
you, and leave you 70 form your own
conclusions.
[ had been goli-sceking in that vicin-
ity for several days with Indifferent sue
cess, when one evening, finding myself
near this house, which | had never seen
before, and much pYeferring IA roof over
my head if | could have it, [ walked up
to the door and knocked. determined to
ask permission to spread ny blankets on
the floor for the night. [ heard a voice
within direct Jerry" to open the door.
Then it was opened, and | was admitted
BY The old man. Iprotfered ny request !;
but he bent his cay as if he did not under
stand. [ repeated it in a louder tone,
when a man whom ! had not before OBJ
served, c%rouchirg a low fire, with
out turning, answered me- IN the atfirma-
tive.
entered, spread my blankets, took a
bag containing gold dust from my pack,
and placed it under my pillow, and then
began eating a few biscuits which | had
with ne for supper, when a slight noise
against the thin partition 1t my elbow
made me turn ny head suddenly IN that
direction. There was d knot-hole about
two feet from the ground, and looking
through it was an eye as red as Il game
cocks. A moment more, and it was
gone. | heard the sublued sound of
retreating footsteps, and a door gently
closed.
A little while after, old Jerry came in
from out doors, and sat down By the fire
n,;LT,or+ c,,,,hyi,r -,,l,r,l - f,--r,
marks, hoping to start = conversation,
but receiving 10 reply, gave mp the IL
tempt, and rolling my3el: II NJ blanket,
endeavorad to go TO sleep. There VAS
some singularity in the conduct of M
hosts, | thought but then | was used to
singular people, and rs for fear. 50 long
as my two pistols were IN order, [ did
not know what it was. I troubled my
self but little with these or n other re-
tiections, however, and was soon worship
ing the "drowsy god"
How long I slept, / do not know. Ny
next recollectiOns are of Il state of half
consciousness, in which [ seemed to be
struggling violently 10 wake, without the
power to DO 50 as if some indetinable
but imminent danger were near me-that
I should perish ii [ slept. Suddenly I
awoke. | think il was the sound of gal
Looping steps of a horse approaching the
dwelling that caused NE to regain nv
consciousness 4; at any rate, that was the
noise which first struck upon my ears as
L opened my eyes. But L didnot devote
much time to reflection, ! can assure
you for as 1 did so, the first object l
saw was the figure of old Jerry bending
over me, while the moonlight, which
slanted through the single broken pane,
glittered upon the white steel blade of a
huge bowie-knife, which he held uplifted
i'll the act of striking. [ must own that