St. Landry democrat., 1878-05-11
The Fatal Moose.

stopped one evening, just after dark
some miles beyond the little town O.
Rouviay, to set down an English lady
and her child at lonely roadside auberge
Mrs. Martin expected to find carriage
ready to take her to the Chateau de
Senart, a distance of some leagues
| whittier she was repairing on visit, but
was told that it had not yet arrived
Tie landlady, tall, coarse-lookine
| woman, who showed her into the vast
hall that served at once as sitting-room
and kitchen, observed that the roads
we're 80 muddy and difficult at night
that there was little chance of her friend
arriving before the morning. You had
better, therefore," she said, "make uE
your mind to sleep here. We have {
good room to offer you, and you will be
much more comfortable between a pail
of warm, clean sheets than knocking
about in our rough country, especially
as your dear child seems sickly."
Mrs. Martin, though much fatigued by
her journey, hesitabed. A good nights
rest was certainly tempting prospect
but she felt SO confident that her friends
would not neglect her. that, after mo-
ment she replied, I thank you, madame
I will sit up for an hour or so; it is not
late, and the carriage may come, after
all. Should it not, I shall be glad Of
your room, which you may prepare fol
me at any rate"
The hostess, who seemed anxious that
her guest should not remain in the great
room, suggested that a fire be made
above; but Mrs. Martin found herself SO
comfortable where. she was, a pile OF
fagots was blazing on the vast hearth,
that she declined first to move. Her
daughter, about five years of age, soon
went to sleep in her lap, and she
herself found that whilst her ears
were snxiously listening for tie
roll Of carriage wheels, her eyes oc-
casionally closed, and slumber began
to make its insidious approaches.
In order to prevent herself from giving
way, she endeavored to direct her atten-
ton to the objects around her. The
apartment was vast, and lighted more by
the glare of the fire than by the dirty
candle, stuck into filthy tin candle
stick that stood on one of the long tables.
Two or three huge beams stretched across
halfway up the walls, leaving a space
filled with fitting shadows above. From
these depended rusty gun or two, a
sword, several bags, hanks of onions,
cooking utensils, etc. There were very
few signs that the house was much Wis.,
tied, though a pile of empty wine bottles
lay In one corner. The landlady sat at
some distance from the fireplace with her
two sons, who had laid their heads to.
gether and talked in whispers.
Mrs. Martin began to feel uneasy. The
idea entered her mind that she had fallen
into resort of robbers; and the words
"Cs' es' el"e," lit is she) which was all
she heard of the whispered conversation,
continued to alarm her. The door
leading into the road was left aiar, and
for moment she felt an impulse to start
up and escape on foot. But she was far
from any other habitation, and if the
people OF the house really entertained
any evil designs, her attempt would only
precipitate the catastrophe. So she re-
'olved on patience, but listened atten-
lively for the approach of her friends.
ALI she heard, however, was the whistline
VI the wind and the dashing of the rain,
which had begun to fail just after her
trivial.
About two hours passed in this uncom-
ortable way. At length the door was
hrust open, and man, dripping wet,
anne in. She breathed more freely, for
his newcomer might Illustrate the evil
esigns of her hosts, if they entertained
ny. He was a red-haired, iovial-faced
ooking man, and inspired her with
on6dence by the frankness of his man.
ers.
"A fine night for walkingp' cried he,
baking himself like a dog who has
crambled out OF pond. "What have
on to give me am wet to the skin.
iopa disturb nobody. Give me
ottle of wine"
The hostess, in a surly, sleepy tone,
Did her eldest son to serve the gentle
ian, and then addressing Mrs. Martin
lid:
You see your friends will not come,
nd you are keeping US up to no purpose.
'ou had better 90 to bed"
" ] will wait little longer.n was the
sply, which elected kind of shrue of
ontempt.
The red-haired man finished his bottle
wine, and then said:
Show me room, good woman. I
hall sleep here tonight
Mrs. Martin thought that as he pro.
ounced these words he cast protecting
lance towards her, and she felt less 70,
ugnance at the idea Of passing the
light in that house. When, therefore.
70 red -haired man. after polite bow
ent up stairs, she said that as her B
lends had not arrived they might as
eli show her to d bedroom.
g 4 fhnlln hit it uns1ld cora.