The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1877-02-08
4 NIGHT TO BE REMEMBERED.
BY A. c. c.

am an old man now; but never
think of that adventure without shud-
der; and for years after it happened /
would start from my sleep with a cry
of horror as the scene was wildly be-
fore me in q dream. | was young
then, active, strong and not wanting in
courage, though it may seem ike
sounding my own trumpet to say 80.
However, to my story.
1t was the Oath of December, and
was going home to spend Christmas
day with my relations. / was going to
start in time to reach home for a
friendly gathering that evening. In
the morning, however, my boss had oc,
casion to drive over to village some
miles distant. He WAS to return by
midday to pay me and let me start be-
fore darkness came on.
But he was detained. When he was
ready to start back, the weather had
got 80 bad that it was with the utmost
difficulty he could make his horse
creep along; so, instead of his return.
ing as promised, it was six o'clock be-
fore we heard the welcome patter of
old Kitty's hoofs coming up the yard.
He was nearly frozen, and when l re.
minded him that 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 in
to the quarries.
But was determined to go come
what might. After a deal of persua-
sion he paid me, and off | started-out
in the bitter cold.
The night was very dark, but the
moon appeared now and again from
behind cloud, the effect being that
the darkness seemed more intense
when she was not visible.
l turned to the left, was soon on the
turnpike, and in few minutes the lit.
tie town was lost to sight and-to mem
DRY.
Many thoughts kept me from motto
ing the darkness. | could see the
bright room at home, with my old faith
er in Lis big armchair by the fireside;
l saw my mother go to the door, and in
fancy heard her say, a hope my
poor Jack isn't out this dreadful
night" She looked so sad, that l in
voluntary quickened my pace. saw
my sisters and brothers placing ever
green's round the pictures and trim
ming 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 narrow road
that wound itself like gigantic snake
around the rocks and between the in
Vulnerable quarries that were scatter
ed all around. But fear was not fore
most in my mind, so l dart ed forward
boldly on my dangerous journey.
The road is thoroughly dangerous
one to travel upon in broad daylight,
for on either hand for 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 seem to have combined to shut
out daylight on the brightest summer
day.
There are huge caverns in these
rocks, as though the aborigires had
once made their homes there. Then
comes mighty torrent of water, roar
ing, dashing, tearing, kissing and foam
ing from the giddy heights, until it is
lost to sight away down in the ravine.
No vegetation is found here; it is one
OF those wierd, dismal places that seem
created especially for the psrpetration
of murders. A melancholy, ghostly
hight pervades the place, even at mid
day. The wind shrieked as it raced
around the rocks, and ended in low,
heart-rending wall, as it entered the
caverns. Then the moon, appearing for
. few seconds, revealed some curiously-
shaped rock In the distance, that SEEM
ed them to assume the form of some
demon or giant.
did not believe in the supernatural,
but in spite of all my reasoning wished
myself at home.
had not the heart t. make it lively. |
can tell you it was with pleasure when,
on turning sharp corner, l beheld a
few lights in the distsnce. These l
knew to proceed from a batch of cot
tages inhabited by qusrrymen. Even
in this forsaken spot these men have
built their homes-aye, and they are al
dear to them SIS your comfortable res
idences are to you city people.
/ remembered there was tavern in
the place, and determined to call in
and rest.
A few minutes brisk walking brought
me to the door, and l can assure you it
was not long before was seated by the
side of blazing fire, surrounded by
shout dozen big, brosd, jovisl 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 shabbily dressed, though far
from being ragged. He appealed to Us
for assistance.
/ did not like his appearance alto
gether. He had one of those faces |
that seem to inspire the beholder with |
the idea that the owner ia q william. |
He had low brow that was contracted |
by . continual frown; small gray, |
cruellooking eyes, and square Jaw.
As / said before, / did not like his
looks; but thought to myself, "Well,
the fellow can't help his appearance"
30 ordered something hot for him to /
drink.
When it was brought, / took out my
bag of money to pay for it. I noticed |
directly the eager look that passed over
tine strangers facs as he saw it.
One of the couDtrymen, noticing the
said to him, Mate, you
seem to have taken a fancy TO tat
money May be you'd like il?