Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1875-03-04

and before long IL was quite comior
table there. The Major did not feel
sleepy. SO he took down book,
lighted another candle, and sat down
to read.
"There was e knock at the door.
The Major sang out, Come in
"The door opened, and in walked
an old Gentleman, covered with wrap
pings, followed by three ladies, well
bundled up. Behind these came two
young men carrying between them
large trunk. The old gentleman
and the ladies went and stood around
the stove. The young men went
back and fetched another big trunk,
and then another, and then lot of
small trunks, boxes and other bag
gagei
"rhis sudden and unexpected Wis
itation so startled the Major that at
first be could do nothing but stare at
his visitors He was a polite man
naturally, and women were scarce
enough in the mines then to COM
mand the courtesy of grizzly bear,
informed them IN choice phrase Che
could talk like a Lord Chamberlain
when he tried) that the cabin belong
ed to his friend, Captain Merrick,
who was not at home that the Cap
tain would have been delighted to
entertain them if he had been there;
that be feared he should not be able
to do justice to his friends hospitali-
ty, as he was comparatively a
stranger TO the resources of the estab-
lishment, which he feared were limit
en- enough at the best, as it was
mere bachelors den, etc, etc. The
ladies bowed their acknowledgment
of the Majors politeness, and the old
gentleman informed him that they
were belated travellers that they
had been hindered by the storm, and
prevented from reaching their desti-
nation, as they might easily have
done if the roads had not been par
TALLY blocked with snow, and that
they considered themselves fortunate
in finding such comfortable quarters
and so polite host
"The Major could see what was go
ing on, could understand what was
said, and could even speak nationally
enough himself when he tried; but
now, that be stood face to face with
strange people, he was painfully con-
scious of being drunk through and
through-completely saturated with
bad whisky. He was MORALLY afraid
of exposing his condition. So he
Kept aloof, and said as little as posi-
BILE. Having carefully conned lit
tie speech to the effect that he hoped
the visitors would explore the house
and freely use anything they could
| their comfort, and excuse him for not
being able to assist them, as be was
| himself al unlimited guest, end had
| not been there more than an boar
he delivered it in calm and deliber-
ate style, and, as he hoped and be-
lieved, with the accent of sober
man. He was glad to see that the
ladies took him at his word, and be-
gan to fit in and out of the sleeping
room and kitchen.
"The Major, in his new-found con-
seriousness of his condition, seemed to
himself to become more and more be-
| numbed and confused. His hands
seemed to be encased in thick gloves
when he handled things. Every sound
even his own voice, seemed hollow
and unnatural. His ideas were in
distinct and uncertain, and he could
only gather them to point, and
hold them there by q strong effort of
his will. In short, as he afterwards
said to me, His brain seemed to be
wrapped in rag, and tied with a
tow-string, 1t occurred to him that
perhaps the fresh air would do him
good. He went out and walked up
and down before the cabin until he
made a firm path in the snow. The
two young men came out and smoked,
and chatted together a few minutes,
but said nothing to him, and appar-
emily took no notice of him.
"Presently one of the ladies came
to the door and said: 'Gentlemen,
please walk In TO supper.
"The young men obeyed the sum-
mons with alacrity, The Major hest.
tated. He felt reasonably sure that
he was hungry, but not so sure that
it would be wise for him to eat. The
lady observed his hesitation, and
said:
"Won't you do US the favor to come
in and take cup of tea with us. We
have made free with your friends
larder, as you babe US. You must
sanction our proceedings with your
presence, or we shall think we have
been trespassing.'
"'I was considering said the Maj
or, who felt better for his exercise in
the cold air, whether il is prudent for
me to eat at this time of night. l
guess cup of tea won't burt me-
Gas be approached the door the
lady met him two or three steps from
the house and said:
"'Are you not Mr.. Bracken, form
erly of New Haven?
"'My name is Bracken,' said he,
| anu All lEOH wow IIaHeH uub
do not recognize you, which is not
to be wondered at, as you must have
been quite young when left the
East eight years ago
"Tf you do not recognize me, said
the lady, Il will not introduce myself
tonight. Believe me, sir, | have
good reasons. Please don't mention
this talk, or ask me any questions
$50 saying, she took the bewilder-
ed Majors arm and led him into the
kitchen, where the rest of the party
were already assembled around Cap
tain Merrick's big pine table The
supper consisted mainly of batter
cakes and tea. Every body seemed
hungry, and the supply of cakes was
soon exhausted. One of the ladies