Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1877-10-17
Written for the AGE.
AN ADVENTURE.
by CHARLES s. MARTIN.

coluiiSiy, Hoe"ie" "o'se AL" val
riage, and having got our ''duds" com.
pletely packed IN u capacious trunk,
and, the latter we'll secured to the
rack, we-my wife, little Celia and
myselt-took an eartly start on most
lovely morning. . ..
Our course lay along one of the
most beautiful and romantic of rivers
in New England, and through a val
ley rich with the most delightful and
varied scenery.
We were TO be two days on the
road, and desired to get to "Sundown"
Mountain before going into quarters
the first night. This would give us
40 miles start, leaving 35 miles, in
cluding the crossing Of the aforesaid
mountain, for the second days trip.
But our plans were therein frustra'
ted by terrific shower, which broke
upon us late in the day, when we had
Is miles yet to accomplish in order
to reach the foot of the mountain.
We were now in a locality not
densely populated. The lightning
flashed most vividly, and the thunder
beloved, seeming to shake the very
foundations of the hills, while the rain
literally poured down in torrents. 1t
was becoming quite dark, and our
horse, which had done very good SER
vice dnring the day, was now begin
ming to manifest signs Of fatigue.
We, Notwithstanding, urged him to
his best pace, promising him shelter
and grain at the first accessible stable.
A few moments sufficed to bring to
view-we could see only as the now
almost incessant flashes revealed to us
"a settlement. 1t was a most unfor-
bidding locality, The buildings,
which had evidently long ago seen
their best days, stood in small clear
ing between two dense patches OF
wood.
"What! are you going to seek
shelter there ?" asked my wife, as |
reined IN the horse.
eyes, any shelter is acceptable just
now," replied
drove under the shed, and remain
ing in our carriage few moments, We
were soon confronted by the proprie-
tor of the premises. as we subsequent
ly learned. He was tall, lank per-
son, evidently past his Goth birth day
anniversary, He surveyed us with a
curious expression Of countenance, tor
a moment, then greeted us with:
81 reckon, friends, you've got
caught this time, sure !"
We did not at the time so fully re-
mark the emphasis he placed on the
word "caught" as subsequently. The
sentence rang in our ears honrs after
wards, however, and revealed a differ
ent meaning to his speech.
We admitted that our "fx" was not
so pleasant as we could haze wished ;
but as the worst was now past and
we had left the storm outside, we
were prepared to make the most of it.
Having engaged board and lodging
for ourselves and the horse, we alight-
ed from the carriage, and my wife and
little Celia were conducted to the
kitchen, while / tarried without, to
aid in disposing of the horse Having
done all that seemed necessary, re-
garding the comfort of the latter,
"mine host and l repaired to the
kitchen. AS l entered, my wife came
up to me, and laying her hand upon
my shoulder, whispered
"Charles, do not like the appear
ance of these people.
AS she spoke I instinctively survey
ed the woman, who, it seemed evi.
dent, was many years younger than
her husband-fOr inferred that she
bore that relation to "mine host" She
was in many respects q very odd per-
sponage. As was regarding them
| noted as passing from the one to the
other glance which seemed to con,
vey secret intelligence. The man, as
l now more closely scrutinized him
had deep, set, small, aud piercing
black eyes, which under the heavy eye
brows served 10 give an expression to
his countenance which l did not ex-
actly like. The woman, though of
very different torm-being short and
thick-set-possessed, still, features not
unlike those of the man. | glanced
around the room. 1t was quite spa
cious, containing little furniture ex-
cept huge table. a half dozen old