The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1875-02-24
MISCELLANY.
A NIGHTS ADVENTURE.

During the Spring of 1910 | was engaged
by the heirs of gentleman who had died in
Bangor, Me-, to go out to Illinois and look up
township which had been bought by said
gentleman from the soldiers of 1912, to whom
it had been allotted by the government land
warrants as part pay for service rendered.
The man, for whose heirs had interested
myself, had bought large number of consec-
utive lots. They were located near the head
waters of the Kaskaskia, and we had reason
to believe that they were uncommonly yalua-
BILE.
After having armed myself, with the
necessary documents, / set out on my mission.
/ reached Vandalia without difficulty, and
from there I took the stage Tor Shelbyvllc.
Ten miles FROM 6hclbyyiiic made in
small boat and here purchased a horse of
an old settler and from him l learned that
should find plenty of " squatters . OH the very
land of which was in search.
1t was early in the forenoon when started
on with my horse, and made easy progress
on the alluvial tract upon the western bank
of the Kaskaskia. About two o'clock in the
afternoon, whatever pleasing reveries | may
have been engaged in were cut short by a
sudden darkness of the sun and, upon look
ing up, found that huge cloud was rising
in the northwest, and / could hear the wind
as it moaned through the trees upon the ia
Bile land to my left. knew that there was a
storm brewing and l knew, too, that my
hopes Of shelter was dubious. However,
spurred up my horse and allowing myself to
hope that might come upon some chance
"squatter . before the storm broke.
/ must have ridden thus through the utter
darkness for two hours-it seemed two ages
to me-when / thought saw a light ahead of
me. 1t twinlSled like misty star, and then
disappeared but soon | saw it again, and ere
long became convinced that a human habi-
tation Of some sort was ahead of me. | urged
of pulling up before house.
| alighted from my horse, and, after CROP
ing about for some time, found door and
knocked Justify. My call was answered by a
woman but the wind put out her light, and as
she turned back to relight it followed her.
At UfSi, Tue tuiuuiC-dsCt, iiitCili-
gent looking person-was little startled at
my manner and appearance, but soon Gained
her fears by making known my situation and
business. When | asked her if | could remain
there during the night, she hesitated, and said
she would let me know, but she asked me to
sit down by the fire and warm myself There
was complete puddle of water where l had
been standing, for the rain was almost stream
ing from my garments; so | took off my over
coat, and the lady Immediately took it, and
carried it out of the room.
It was not until had drawn seat up to
the warm fire that thought of my poor beast
and when the woman returned asked her ii
nv horse could be taken care of. She replied
in the affirmative, and also told me that
could remain during the night. / 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 90 out, could do so without exposure to
the weather. She offered to lead the way and
followed behind her.
The passage through which was led open
ed into wood-shed, and from thence
passed to the stable, where man was I'M
saddling my horse. He had lantern, and |
could see plainly about the place. spoke to
the fellow, but he made me no answer.
asked him who lived there. He mumbled out
something, but could not understand him.
He was curious looking fellow, and decidedly
Il
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 attended
me prepared some food for me, and politely
requested me to partake of it. Wet and colo
as was the fireplace was moro comfortable