The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-03-28
THE INTREPID MOTHER.


stopped one evening, just after dark,
some miles beyond the little town of
Rouviay, to set down an English lady
and her child at lonely roadside
auberge. Mrs. Martin expected to find
a carriage ready to take. her to the
Chateau de Senart, distance of some
leagues, whittier she was repairing on
visit, but was told that it had not yet
arrived. The landlady, tall, coarse
looking woman, who showed her into
the vast hall that served at once as a
sitting-room and kitchen, observed that
the roads were so muddy and difficult at
night that there was little chance of her
friend arriving before the morning.
1ss You had better, therefore" she said,
&" make up your mind to sleep here.
We have good room to offer you, and
you will be much more comfortable be-
tween pair of clean, warm sheets than
knocking about in our rough country,
especially as your dear child seems
sickly."
Mrs. Martin, though much fatigued
by her journey, hesitated. A good
nights rest was certainly q tempting
prospect; but she felt so confident that
her friends would not neglect her, that,
after moment, she replied, 81 thank
you, madame; will sit up for an hour
or so; it is not late, and the carriage
may come, after sll.. Should it not, |,
shall be glad of your room, which you
may prepare for me at any rate"
The hostess, who seemed anxious that
her guest should not remain in the great
room, suggested that 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 at 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 anxiously
listening to the roll of carriage-wheels,
her eyes occasionally closed, and slumber
began to make its insidious approaches.
In order to prevent herself from giving
way, she endeavored to direct her atten-
tion 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 a 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 a rusty gun or two,
a sword, several bags, hanks of onions,
cooking utensils, etc. There were very
few signs that the house was much
visited, though pile of empty wine
bottles lay in one corner. The landlady
sat at some distance from the fireplace
with her two sons, who laid their heads
together 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 Ces'ellc,n (it is she), which was
all she heard of the whispered CONVEX
sation. continued to alarm her. The
door leading into the road was left ajar,
and for moment she felt an inclination
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 at
tempt would only precipitate the catas-
trophe. SO she resolved on patience,
but listened attentively for the approach
of her friends. All she heard, however,
was the whistling of the wind and the
dashing of the rain, which had begun to
iaii just a1Ier her arrival
Apout tWo nours passed IN tnls un-
com1ortapie way. AT length the door
was thrust oPeI, and man, dripping
wet came IN. one Dreatned more freely,
for TINS newcomer might Illustrate the
evil designs OF her hosts, II they enter
tanned any he was ared,halred, Jovial-
faced looking man, and inspired her
Win commence py tne frankness OF his
manners,
:" A fine night for walking" cried he,
shaking himself like a dog who has
scrambled out Of pond. "What have
: you to give met | am wet to the skin.
Hope disturb nobody. Give me bot
tie of wine"
The hostess, in a surly, sleepy tone,
told her eldest son to serve the gentle.
man, and then addressing Mrs. Martin,