Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1878-11-28
MY MIDNIGHT PERIL.

The night OF the 18th OF OctODer-snall ]
ever forget its pitchy darkness, the roar Of
the autumnal wind through the lonely forest
and the incessant downpour of the rain?
"This comes of short cuts,'' muttered
petulantly to myself as plodded along, keep
ing close to the trunks of the trees to avoid
the deep ravine through which could heal
the roar of the turbulent stream forty or fifty
feet below. My blood ran cold as thought
what might be the possible consequences of q
misstep or a move in the wrong direction
| Why had not been contented to keep in the
right road
Hold on! was that light, or are my eyes
playing me false?
l stopped, holding on the low, resinous
| boughs of hemlock that grew on the edge
| of the bank, tor it actually seemed as if the
| wind would seize me bodily and hurl me
down the precipitous descent.
It was q light-thank Providence was a
light, and no ignis fatuus to lure me on to
destruction and death.
''HallOO-O-O"
Nv voice ran through the woods like a
clarion. plunged on through tangled vines,
dense briers and rocky banks until, gradually
nearing, could perceive figure wrapped in
an oil cloth cape, or cloak, carrying lantern.
AS the dim light fell upon his face l almost
recoiled. Would not solitude in the woods
be preferable to the companionship of this
withered. wrinkled old man? But it was too
late to recede now. o.,
':Whats wanting?" he snarled, with
peculiar motion OF the lips that seemed to
leave his yellow lips all bare.
II am lost in the woods; can you direct
me to R station 2 ., .,
"Yes. R. station is II miles from here !"
l stood aghast.
Eyes"
Can YOU tell me of any shelter I could OBJ
tain for the night?
'sNO"
"Where are you going?" :,
sTo Drew's, down by the maple swamp"
lis it tavern p
sNo."
"Would they take me for the night? l
His eye cleaned; the yellow stumps stood
revealed once more.
II guess so; folks do stop there
"It is not far from here? 2"
"Not very; about half mile"
.sThen let US make haste and reach it. l
am drenched to the skin"
We plodded on, my companion more than
keeping pace with me. Presently we left the
edge Of the ravine. entering what seemed like
trackless woods, and keeping straight on till
the lights cleaned fitfully through the wet
foliage.
It was ruinous old place, with the win
dows all drawn to one side, as if the founda-
ton had settled, and the pillars of rude
porch nearly rotted away.
A woman answered my fellow travellers
knock. My companion whispered word or
two to her, and she turned to me with smooth,
voluable words of welcome
She regretted the poverty of their accom-
modations; but was welcome to them, such
as they were.
'Where is Isaac?" demanded my guide.
HE has not come in yet"
sat down on q wooden bench beside the
fire, and ate few mouthfuls of bread.
II should like to retire as soon as possible" i"
for my WEAKNESS was excessive.
Certainly" The woman started up with
alacrity.
"Where are you going to put him2" asked
my guide.
''Up chamber"
''Put him in Isaac's room."
'.No."
''Its the most comfortable
II tell you, no!"
But here interrupted their whispered col
loquy:
you lodge me, only make haste"
SO was conducted up q steep ladder that
stood IN the corner of the room, into an apart
ment ceiled with sloping beams and venti-
lated by one small window, where cot bed
stead, crowded close against the board parti-
ton, and pine table, with two or three |
chairs. formed the sole attempts at furniture. |
The woman set the light-an old oil lamp |
on the table.
..Anything more l can get you, sir?"
'sNothing, thank you"
II hope youth sleep we'll, sir. When shall |
call you?"
"At four o'clock in the morning, if you
please. must walk over to R station in
lime for the z o'clock express"
I'll be sure to call you, sir"
She withdrew, leaving me alone in the
gloomy little apartment. l sat down and
ooked around me with no very agreeable SEN
'ation.
II win sit down and write to Alice"
hought s'That will sooth my nerves and
luiet me, perhaps"
l descended the ladder. The fire still glow
ID reilly on the hearth beneath; my compan-
on and the woman sat beside it talking in q
ow tone, and third person sat at the table
ating-a short, stout, villainous- looking man,
q red flannel shirt and muddy trousers.
asked for writing materials, and returned
my room to write to my wife. |,
my darling Alice"
paused and laid down my pen as con-
luded the words, half smiling to think what
be would say could she know OF my strange
uaEters.
Not till both sheets were covered did lay
side my pen and prepare for slumber. As1 /