The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1877-03-01
A G. TO BE REMEM
Erred.


own trumpet TO say 30.
However, to my story.
1t was the Oath of December, and |
waa going home to spend Christmas day
with my relations, | was going to start
in time TO reach home tor n friendly
gathering that evening, In tho morn
ing, however, my boss had occasion 10
drive over to Il village some miles dis
tant. He WA to return by mid day to
pay me and let me start before darkness
came on.
But no was detained. When he was
ready to start back, the weather had got
30 bad that i. was with the utmost diff.
Guilty he could make his horsc creep
along; 10, instead OF his returning az
promised, it was six o'clock before we
heard the welcome pattor Of old Kitty's
hoofs coming up the yard He was
nearly frozen, and when | reminded him
that ! wanted to start, no looked at mo
in amazement.
"Why, Jack" said he, "you never
mean to gay you intend turning out to-
night ?" Stay till morning; they'll never
expect you. Why, you'll be blown into
the quarrics.
But / was determined to 90 come
what might. After a deal Of persuasion
he paid me, and of | started-out in the
bitter cold.
The night was very dark, but the moon
appeared now and again from behind Il
cloud, the effect being that the darkness
sccmed more intense when she WAS not
visible.
| turned to the left, was soon on the
turnpike, and in Il few minutes the little
Town wa lost to sight and-to memory.
Many thoughts kept me from noticing
the darkness. | could zee the bright
o Mt home, with my old father in his
big armchair by the Preside; | saw my
mother 20 to the door, and in fancy I
heard her say, 81 hope my poor Jack
isn't out this dreadful night" She
looked no sad, that | Involuntary quick
cued my pace. | saw my sisters and
brothers placing %cvcrgrccns round the
pictures and trimming the Christmas
tree.
But my musings wcro suddenly
brought to n termination, as | had mr.
rived ut one Of the worst parts Of my
journey. | had to take n narrow road
that wound itself like Il gigantic snake
around tho rocks and between the innu-
merablc quarries that were scattered all
around. But fear was no. foremost in
my mind, 30 | darted forward boldly on
my dangerous journey,
Tho road is IA thoroughly dangerous
one to travel upon in broad daylight,
for On either hand for a considerable
dis1anco, are qIarries 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
seem to have combined to shut out day.
light on the brightest summer day,
There ore huge caverns in those rocks,
as though the aborigines had once made
their homes there. Then Comesa mighty
torrent of water, roaring, dashing,
teHrinp, Kissing and ioaming from the
giddy heights, until it is lost TO sight
away down in the ravine. No vegita.
ton is found here; it isono of those wIerd,
dismal places that seem created especially
for the PERI etration of murders. A mel
%nncholy, ghostly light pcrvades the place,
even ut midday. The wind shriekcd as
it raced round rocks, and ended in n low,
heart-rending wall, ~ it entered the cav
crns. Then the moon, appearing for a
few seconds, revealed some c%uriously-
shaped rock in the distance, that seemed
then to assume the form Of some de-
mon or giant.
| did not believe in the supernatural,
but in spite of all my reasoning | wished
myoclf ut home.
| tried to sing, but il was no use--I had
not the heart to make it lively, | can
tell you it was with pleasure when, on
turning II sharp corner, | beheld a few
lights in the distance. These | knew to
proceed from a batch Of cottages inhab-
tied by quarrymcn. Even in this for
saken spot these men have built their
homes AYE, and they are as dear to them
as your comfortable residences are to
you city people.
| remembered there was n tavern in the
place, and | determined TO call in and
rest.
A few minutes brisk walking brought
me to the door, and | can assure you it was
not long before | was seated by the side
of'a blazing fire, surrounded by about n
dozen big, broad, jovial %guarryman, each
%pinning his Christmas yarn in his W
peculiar manner.
| rat listening attentively for some
time, when my attention was drawn to n
man who had just entered he room. He
was shabbily dressed, though far from
being ragged. He appealed to us Tor as
sistance.
Ibid not like his appearance altogether.
He had one of those faces that seem 10
inspire the beholder with the idea that
the owner il n william. He had n low
brow that was contracted by a continual
frown; small gray, cruellooking eyes, and
a square jaw.
As | said before, did not like his looks;
hutI thought to myself, "Well, the fellow
cart help his appearance" SO | ordered
- hot drink for him,
When it was brought, ] l. ok out my
bag OF money TO pay for it. | noticed
directly the eager look that passed over
the strangers face as he saw it.
Oneof the co%untrymen noticing theex-
preston, said to him, Mate, you seem
to have taken a fancy to that money
May be you'd like it 2"
He replied in a sullen manner, 81
would like many things that | cannot
getl"
However, soon forgot the fellow in
a hearty laugh over . well Told tale.
But the time had quickly passed; 70 |
rose to put on my coat and wrapper. saw.
ing ash did 50, AZ fear it will be late be.
fore / reach n
1t was not much to say. but it gave
the clue to the direction | was going. /
bid them all " Goodnight !" and was
once more in the darkness and the cold.
| had now to descend "A steep path
way, which led into an old quarry,
through which | had to pass. Some