Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-07-14
A Dark Night.

"A Dark NlSnL.
"Did I ever tell you of my night at thu
Red Lion?" asked my friend Frank Car
son, as we were seated in my library or
wild, stormy nightin December.
mo, | am sure you never did," I re
piled. "And as I don't think you will
ever have a better opportunity, suppose
you tell me now?"
''Weil," he replied, drawing his chair
nearer the fire, as fresh blast of slee1
struck the window, ut was on Just such
night as this in the winter
Of 80, that I was on my way
from Big Gulch' to SAM Fran.
cisco, or Frisco as the miners would
always call it, 1 had been employed fol-
sometime as agent by large mining
company. My business was such that
was frequently intrusted with large sums
in coin and golddust, and was in the
habit of making the trip to and from
Frisco as often as once fortnight = the
round trip requiring four days of hard
travel on horseback. I had always put
up at the Three Oaks a friendly inn or
tavern which was about midway between
my two points of travel; but on this
night, on account Of the storm, I must
have left the main road soon after dark,
but did not become aware of it until
many hours later. I think it must have
been ten o'clock when it occurred to me
that might be on the wrong road, and
l drew in rein.
''But what was I to d.? I sat there in
the driving storm long time revolving
the question in my mind, but without
coming any nearer Il solution, what 1 was
to do still remained unanswered; to go
ahead was to 60 | knew not where; to
return was to travel all night, for could
not hope to reach the inn before morning,
even if could find it at all in such a
storm; besides, my horse was nearly
beaten out, an could not 90 much further
without rest.
Suddenly saw, at no great distance
ahead, what tool to be light, and af-
ter waiting few minutes to make sure
that had not been mistaken, l started
my horse in that direction.
"rhe light proved to be nearer than
had at first supposed, for, after proceed
ing short distance, and turning sharp
bend in the road, came suddenly upon
1t. 1t came from a large gloomy old
building which stood short distance
back from the road.
"Riding up to the building, 1 was
about to dismount, when my attention
was attracted by an old, weather beaten
board which hung over the door. Refining
back few PAGES, read by the faint light
which came from the window Red Lion. ,
'1ns'inctively 1 drew back, for it was
name | had heard many times among the
miners, and in a way that meant no good.
>But nothing can be worse than this storm,
/ said to myself, and riding up to the
door, I gave it three smart raps with nv
whip"
''After some little time, the door was
pushed partly open, and a man put out
his head, and crowded.
"'What's wanted?'
ga nights shelter for myself and
horse replied, with as much spirit as
l could command
"Jake, he growled, turning his head
and speaking to some one within, fetch
out the lantern and put up the strangers
horse
"Jake, red whiskered, villainous look
ing individual, soon appeared, lantern in
hand. Giving my horse into his keeping
l dismounted, and with my saddle bags
- which, by the way, contained large
amount in coin and gold dust follow
ed the landlord, for such he proved to be,
into the house.
HE led the way into large, scantily,
furnished room, which served as kitchen
dining-room, ahd parlor. A few chairs
scattered about the room, rude table,
and an old desk, completed the furniture.
AT one end of the room was an old-fashion-
ed fire place in which a log fire was
smouldering.
Removing my heavy coat, I took
chair by the fire, in hopes of thawing
myself. Throwing on few more knots,
the landlord stepped to a side-door and
called:
"'Moll, old woman, stir yourself and
get bite on the table for the stranger
" A sound came from within, and then
the door opened, and Moll, hard-fea-
tured, masculine woman, almost an ANA
zon in size, came into the room. She
gave me one searching look, and then
went about her work without speaking
or taking any further notice of me.
In about half an hour my supper was
ready, and the old woman made motion
for me to draw my chair to the table,
which I did at once, being partially
thawed by this time and pretty hungry.
My meal consisted of fried bacon,
corn bread, and cup of black looking
compund which Isupposed they called
tea.
"After eating few mouthfuls, rails.
ed the cup to my lips, and was about to
taste its contents. when l noticed queer
look pass between the old couple at the