Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-11-20

source OF W0UQt( duQ 4HSSlfOu. anu
while have always had she inclination
to impart knowledge Of the facts to
the curious, never. until tonight, have
I had sufficient strength and courage
to tell the story. that, even at this time,
thrills and fills me with vague horror
and alarm.
About ten years since, | had secca-
sion to go to Anssiino, q little town
out West. ses 4,
"It is, even tosthis day. disagreea-
BILE and dangerous journey to perform,
and then it was particularly sos But,
when wife recognizes She predomi-
nant duty Of her life to be strict and
unquestioning obodieace to her hus-
band, neither reagh 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 piece Of property iHSAnsel-
mo, and, although he ;Ras not by any
means man ot wealth, he was able
to surround me generously with all
the COMFORTS if got ths Injuries Of
life. 20, .s1fg
Ny marriage With him had met with
the extreme opp0sitiou of my entire,
family. but genulus affection had spre-
dominated over any proposed worldly
considerations.
My husband being. however, unpop-
ular amid the douestic circle, because
of his financial insbility to conform. to
their universal ideas OF what was re-
quisite in life Of civilization, and re-
fnen ent, deter4ihed he would go
out West. and If be fousdz any ,in-
ducement to sette. be would investihis
means. and apprise sase in due time
where and how TO jQio him. sse ssi5
We had one child the idol of our
hearts. and. as / remember the part
ing. now, it seemed much more diff
cult TO my husband to say good bye to
Eddie than to me. 1sas-
Well he went away, and tried to be
cheerful aud happy. aud | succeeded.
Every day Eddise displayed a new
accomplishment o. an uney pected
power, or an unimagioed grace and
eagerly anticipatedsth6 time when his
father could see him sgain
The winter, thesspFing, the summer
passed away in successive seasons be-
fore one word froail Clarke summoned
me from our nativsvillage.
/ did not think that my relatives
realized how deafsmy child and were
to them until wesisit them.
They were extFemely averse to my
proposed attemptto make the journey
alone. e ~
For a long time there was in their
opposition, bitterness against my hus-
band, but this feeling was finally
overwhelmed BY Indignation against
me for my persistent determination to
adhere falthfulsyto Clarkes expressed
desire that I should lose no time in
joining him. - r CT A.e ~ ;.
There were many hundred miles to
travel by rail, but finally / was direct
ed to stop at a particular station and
there hire conveyance and proceed
to a road side inn, where Twas to await
the arrival of my husband who would
join me as expeuitiously as possible.
The rail travelling was pleasant and
more than all. replete with interest for
me, for, until he summoned me west, |
had never been more than fifty miles
from home. A.xf65 -.s ssag
took note Of every thing and had
heartful of pleasantly and gossip to
tell him, when wewere costly seated in
our own fiTeside. gss4s
Arriving at the station, / found a
conveyance, which, at an exorbitant
price, was hired to me for the journey
to the roadside tayerp.
This latter part pf my travel was
A great, burly eQhptryman. with the
crossest and sui KEEL face / have ever
seen, drove the .efSSle, which was a
rafting machine of broken spring and
worn ont leather seats, and ragged
stuffy-smelling curtains.
Nevertheless it was all so much bet
ter than l expected, that / wasin quite
state of delight.
The driver was my dread along the
lonely road, and clasped Eddie close
ly in my arms, and put trust in God,
with happy smile, reminding myself
that | would see Clarke that night;
aud the visions were fair that my fancy
conjured UP, while the distance was
slowly travelled.
1t was nearly dusk when we reached
The Forks" the name of the tavern
towards which We had been journey
ing-a name which became applicable
from the fact that the road forked to
the right and to the left, just at that
point.
1t was a tall, narrow, three story
frame house, in very unpainted and
dilapidated condition. The outside
pre>entment, however, was, if any
thing, more disagreeable than that
which | beheld within doors.
The landlord met me at the door, and
introduced me into a gloomy little
room on the left OF the cold, dark, ur-
carpeted hall. 1t was close in struc-
ture, and in atmosphere too, having
that disagreeable, study Odor which
impregnates the air, in all apartments
which are not frequently open to sun
shine and breeze.
The evening was cold and ,Greary,
and my disappointment at not meeting
Clarke, according to his promise, lmade
me so down hearted that [ felt ready
to burst into tears; but the curious
eyes that peered at nae from doors and
windows, were incentives enough for
an exhibition of strength rather than
weakness.
The lady came in after a while and
invited me into low, damp room,
where supper was set. The fare was
homely, but indeed acceptable after
our journey, to both Eddie and myself.
My nervous presentis2eRt IT danger,
however, seemed to gather strength
every moment.
At the table [ was served by man
whose hideOus countenance was worse
than the nightmare by jealousy bred.
He eyed me with persistent curl
osity in his gaping sensual mouth, and
pale infamed, blue eyes, that almost
drove me to distraction.
As often as met his gaze | shud-
dered, as from loathsome touch, and
wished-oh, how wildlyl-for Clarke S
noble presence and his protecting arm.
This abhorred creature with his hor-
aIbie eyes attempted to pet my little
Eddie, but the child shrank from him
jua as | did, and rejected the ad-
vaDess which were made.
The time for retiring for the nisht
at last came around, and as it was long
past the hour when could hope for
Clarke's arrival, and as had no ex-
cuse to feign that might remain long
! er in the public room, Irose reluctant
| ly and followed my landlady out into
the hall and up the creaking, narrow