The star of Pascagoula. [volume] (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1873-1878, 1877-02-23
A MONT 70 BE REM EN-
BEHED.

tff. aHd luf YeGn nltef 10 hipp'0NW
ga1d IIaff from my FfefP with cry 81
Ee,,or as tde scene was yigidly before
~ i0 \ dream. WA young Then, ne
lice. strong, and A0t wanting In c0iiraget
fbo1gh ID may ssem IKE sounding MY
own trumpet 30 my ~,
However, 10 my stoty.
IA wa ths 9th Of December, and
was going home 10 spend Christmas day
,gitb my rotations. was going 10 start
In time to reach home for a friendly
gatbering that evening. In the morn
ing however, my boss had occasion 70
drive over 10 q village some miles diss
fant. He was to return by mid day to
nav me and lot me start before darkness
PM Inc wa. detained. When he was
,cadv 10 start back, the weather had got
"a bad that t. was with the utmost dill
ctIty he could make his horse creep
long. 20. instead of his returning ~
nromised. il was six o'clock before we
heard the welcome patter of old kittY's
hoofs coming up the yard. He was
nearly frozen, and when | reminded him
tbat wanted to start, he looked at me
in amazement.
"Why, Jack" said he, you never
mean to 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 a deal of persuasion
he paid me, and of. / started-out in the
bitter cold.
The night was very dark, but the moon
%apppared 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, and in a few minutes the little
Gown was lost to sight and-to memory.
MANY thoughts kept me from noticing
tbe darkness. I could see the bright
room at home, with my old father IN his
big armchair by the tireslde; saw my
mother 30 to the door, and in fancy
heard Der say, Il hope my poor JACK
isn't out this dreadful night! - She
looked 50 sad, that | involuntarily quick
ened my pace. | saw my sisters ana
brothers placing evergreens round the
pictures and trimming the Christmas
tree.
But my musings were suddenly
brought to a termination, as had ar
rived at one of the worst parts OF my
Journey. | had to take a narrow road
that wound itself like a gigantic snake
around the rocks and between the lnnu-
merable quarries that were scattered all
around. But fear was not foremost IN
nv mind, 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 lncautlous per
son from falling over. Then come huge
rocks that project over the read Whlch
seem to have combined to shut out day
light on the brightest summer day.
There are huge caverns in these rocks,
as though the aborigines had once made
their homes there. Then comesa mighty
torrent of water, roaring, dashlng
tearing, kissing and ioaming from the
giddv heights, until it is lost to sign
awayd down in the ravine. No vegita
ton is found here; it isone of those wierd
dismal places that seem created especially
for the perretration OF murders. A mel
ancholy, ghostly light pervades the place
even at midday. The wind shrleked a
it raced round rocks, and ended IN a low
heart.rending wall, as it entered the cav
ems. Then the moon, appearing ioT
few seconds, revealed some curiously
shaned rock in the distance, that seeme'
then TO assume the form OF some Gle
mon or giant.
did not believe in the ~supernaturaI
but in spite of all my reasoning wishe
myself at home. 1Lo
tried to sing, butt was no USE ha
not the heart to make it lively. ca
tell Won it was with pleasure when
furning a sharp corner, | behold a fo'
LIGHTS in the distance. These | knew
nTeceed from q batch of cottages inha'
tied by 0uarrymen. Even in this TO
sokon snot these men have built the
homes-aye, and they are as dear to the
"a vour comfortable residences are
you city people: :,
remembered there was a tavern IN u
place, and / determined to call in al
rest. ,.
4 few minutes brisk walking broug
mo To thedoor, and | can assure you it W
not long before | was seated by the ST.
of a blazing fire, surrounded by about
dozen big, broad, iovial quarryman, ga
mining his Christmas yarn in his eN
peculiar manner.
sat listening attentively tor sol
time when nv attention was drawn tC
man who had Just entered The room. ]
woa shabby dressed, though far frC
being ragged. He appealed to us for
sistance.
ibid notlike his appearance altogeth
He had one of those faces that seem
inspirs the beholder with the idea II
the owner is a william. He had a
brow that was contracted by a contln'
frown; small gray, cruel-looking eyes, q
a square jaw. ,,L,
butt thought to myself, wei, the lsn
can't help his appearance" 30 orue
a hot drink for him.
When it was brought, | tok out
bag of money to pay for it. | mott
directly the eager look that passed 0
the strangers face as he saw 1t:
Oneo of the countrymen noticing the
preston, said to him, Mate, you 81
to have taken a fancy to that MOI
Nav be you'd IKE il ~
He replied in a sullen manner,
would like many things that car
getr"
However, | soon forgot the fellow
a hearty laugh over a well-told
But the time had quickly Passed;
rose to put on my coat aud wrapper,
ing ash did so, al fear il will be lat,
fore I reach N"
1t was not much to say, but it