River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-05-03
A NIGHT TO BE REMEMBERED.
BY A. c. c.

l am an OLD man now; out never u INK
Of that adventure without shudder; and
for years after it happened would start
from my sleep with cry of horror as the
scene was wildly before me in a dream. l
was young then, active, strong and not
wanting in courage, though it may seem
like sounding my own trumpet to say so.
However, to my story.
Ii was the oath of December, and /
was going home to spend Christmas day
with my relatives. I was was going to
start in time to reach home for a friendly
gathering that evening. In the morning,
however, my boss had occasion to drive
over To a village some miles distant. He
was to return by midday TO pay me
and let me start before darkness came on.
But he was detained. When he was
ready To start back, the weather had got
so bad that it was with the utmost diff
Guilty he could make his horse creep along;
so, instead of his returning as promised,
il was six o'clock before we heard the
welcome patter of old Kitty's hOOfs com
ing up the yard. He was nearly frozen,
and when | reminded him that wanted
To start, he looked at me in amazement
Why, Jack" said he. "yOu never
mean 10 say you intend turning out to-
night Stay till morning; they'll never
expect YOU Why, you'll be blown into
the quarries-"
But was determined to go come what
might After deal of persuasion he
paid me, and off l started-Out in the bit
ter cold.
The night was very dark, but the moon
appeared now and again from behind a
cloud, the effect being that the darkness
seemed more intense when she was not
visible.
/ turned TO the left, was soon on the
turnpike, an1 in few minutes the lit
tie town was lost % sight and-to mem
DRY.
Many thoughts kept me from noticing
the darkness. | could see the bright
room at home, with my old father in his
big armchair by the fiTeside; / saw my
mother 90 to the door, and in fancy /
heard her say, Il hope my poor Jack
isn't out this dreadfol night" She looked
so sad. that involuntary quickened my
pace I saw nv sisters and brothers
placing evergreen round the pictures and
trimming the Christmas tree.
But my musings were suddenly brought
10 a termination. as | had arrived at one
of the worst parts of my journey. | had
To take narrow road that wound itself
like a gigantic snake around the rocks
and between the innumerable quarries
that were scattered all around. But fear
was not foremost in my mimi, so | darted
forward boldly on my dangerous journey.
The road is a thoroughly dangerous
one to travel upon In broad daylight,
for on either hand for a considerable
distance. are quarries coming close to
the roadside. and without anything
whatever To prevent an incautiOus per-
son from falling over. Then come
huge rocks that project over the road,
which seems to have combined - shut
ont daylight on the brightest summer
day.
There are huge caverns in these rocks,
as though the abOrigincS had once made
their homes there. Then come a mighty
torrent of water. roaring, dashing, tear
ing. Kissing and foaming from the giddy
heights. until il Is lost to sight away
down in the ravine. No vegetation is
found here; il Is one of those wierd, dis
NAL places that seem created especially
for the preparation of MURDERS. \ mel
anchOly, ghOstly light pervades the place,
even at midday. The wind shTieked as
IL reached around the rocks, and ended
in low, heart-rending wall. as ii entered
the caverns. Then the moon, appearing
for a few seconds, revealed some curious
iy-shaped rock in the distance,t that caused
them Ito assume the form of some
demon or giant.
| did not believe in tine supernatural,
but in spite of all my reasoning | wished
Enyself at home.
I tried to sing but it was no use-I
had not the heart to make il lively. |
can tell You II was with pleasure when, on
turning sharp corner, | beheld a few
lights in the distance. These | knew 10
proceed from q batch of cottages inhabit-
Ell by quarrymen. Even in this forsaken
spot these men have built their homes
ave, and they are As deer TO them as your
comfortable residences are TO YOU city
people.
remembered there was a tavern in the
place, and l determined 70 call in and
rest.
A few minutes brisk walking brought
me 10 the door, and can assure you il
was not long before / was seated BY the
side of a blazing fire. surrounded by
about a dozen big, broad. jovial quarry
men. each spinning his Christmas yarn in
his own peculiar manner.
sat listening attentively for some
time, when my attention was drawn TO =
man who had Just entered the room. He
was stability dressed. though far from be-
ing ragged. He appealed to rs for sssis-
lance.
did not like his appearance altogeth-
az. lie had one of those faces that seem
10 inspire the beholder with the idea that
the owner was william. He had a low
brow that was contracted by continual
frown; small gray, cruel-looking eyes,
and square jaw.
AS said before / did not like his
looks; but thought to myself, Well,
the fellow can't help his appearance
so I ordered hot drink for him.