Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-02-14
A NIGHT TO BE REMEMBERED,
BY A. c. c.

b1 a. Cs y.
I 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 q cry
of horror as the scene was wildly be-
fore me in dream. I 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.
It was the Oath of December, and I
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 &C.
oasion to drive over to village some
miles distant. He was to return by
midday to pay NE and let me start be-
fore 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
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 nearl y frozen, and when [ re-
minded him that ] wanted to start, he
looked at me in Amusement.
"Why, Jack" said he, "you never
mean to say you intend turning out to-
night? Stay till morning; they II never
expect you. Why, you'll be blown in
to the Quarries.
But [ was determined to 60 come
what might. After 81 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 q cloud, the effect being that
the darkness seemed more intense
when she was not visible.
I 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 freside;
I saw my mother 60 to the door, and in
fancy | heard her say, 81 hope my
poor Jack isn't out this dreadful
night! !" She looked so sad, that I 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 q termination, as [ had ar
rived at one of the worst parts of my
Journey. had to take narrow road
that wound itself like q 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 I dar. ed 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 quarrles coming close tt
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 shu
out daylight on the brightest summel
day.
There are huge caverns in these
rocks, as though the aborigines hae
once made their homes there. Their
comes a mighty torrent of water, roar
ing, dashing, tearIIg, Kissing and foam
ing from the giddy heights, until it il
lost to sight away down In the ravine
No vegetation is found here; it is ONT
of those wierd, dismal places that seen
created especially for the preparation
of murders. A melancholy, ghostly
light pervades the place, even at mid
day. The wind shrieked as it raced
around the rocks, and ended in a low
heart-rending wall, as it entered tn,
caverns. Then the moon, appearing To-
few seconds, revealed some curiously
shaped rock Ia 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 L wished
myself at home.
| tried to sing, bu. it was no use
had not the heart - make it lively.
can tell you it Was with pleasure VIII en-
on turning a sharp corner, [ beheld
few lights in the distance. These
knew to proceed from batch of cot
tages inhabited by quarrymen. Ever
in this forsaken spot these men have
built their .homes-aye, and they are a
dear to them as your comfortable res
licences are to you city people.
remembered there WAS tavern il
the place, and l determined to call il
and rest.
A few minutes brisk walking brough
me to the door, and can assure you