Mexico weekly ledger., 1879-04-03

Ihe night OF the 18th of October
shall l ever forget its pitchy darkness,
the noar of the autumnal wind through
the lonely forest, and the incessant
downpour of the rain?
"This comes Of short cuts, +" mur-
INJURED petulantly to myself as I plod
ded along, keeping close to the trunks.
OF trees to avoid the ravine through
which / csuld hear the roar of the
turbulent stream forty or fifty feet
below. My blood ran cold as
thought Of what might be the posi-
BILE consequence of 9 misstep or
move in the wrong direction. Why
had not been contented to keep in
the right road2
Hold oni was that light or are
my eyes playing false!
stopped, holding on to the low,
resinous boughs Of hemlock that
grew on the edge Of the bank. for it
actually seemed that the wind would
seize me bodily and hurl me down
the precipitous descent.
1t was light-thsnk Providence
it was a light and no ignis fatuus to
lure me on to destruction and death.
'Halloo-o-o!'
Mo voice rang through the woods
like clarion. / plunged out through
tangled vines, dense briars and rocky
banks, until, gradually nearing, l
could perceive figure. wrapped in
oilcloth cape or coat, carrying a Ian
tern. As the dim light fell upon his
face 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 rec.de.
What's wanting?' he snarled with
q peculiar motion of the lips that
seemed to leave his yellow teeth all
bare.
Il am lost In the woods; can you
direct me to R station!'
Yes, R station 10 twelve miles
from here
Twelve miles!'
l stood aghast.
Yes
Can you tell me of any shelter 1
could obtain for the nightT
NO.
where are you going?'
To Drew's, down by the maple
swamp
20 it n tavern?'
NO.
Would they take me for the night?
could pay them veil
His eyes cleaned; the yellow
stunps stood revealed once more.
Il guess SO folks do stop there
is it not far from here?'
Not very; about half mile
Then make haste and let us reach
1t. / am drenched to the skim
We plodded on, my companion
more than kept pace With me. Pres
entity we left the edge ofthe ravine,
entered what seemed like trackless
woods, and keeping straight on until
the lights cleaned htQliiy through
the wet foliage.
1t was O ruinous old place, with the
windows drawn to one side, rs if the
foundation had settled, and the piilars
of rude porch nearly rotted away.
A woman answered my fe4low-trsy-
eler's knock. My companion Ehisp-
cred word or two to her, and she
turned TO me with smooth, voluble
words Of welcome.
She regretted the poverty Of their
accommodations, but was welcome
to them, such as they were.
II
guide.
He has not come i'm yet
sat down On q wooden bench be-
side the fire, and ate q few mouth
fuls of bread. q
i should like 10 retire 40 soon as
possible for my weariness was exees-
sive.
Certainly The woman started
up with slscrity. |
Where are you going to put hlm?'
asked my guide.
up chamber
Put him in Isaac's ROOM
No
Its the most comfortable
Il tell you no.
But here interrupted the whisper
ed coIloquy.
Il am not particular-l don't care
where you lodge me, only make
haste
So was conducted by step lad
der that stood in the corner of the
room into an apartment ceiled with
sloping beams and ventilated by one
small window, with q cot bedstead
crowded close against the board parti-
ton, and pine table with two or
fhree chairs formed the sole attempts
at furniture.
The woman set the light-an old
Gil lamp-on the table.
Anything more l can get you,
sir?
Nothing, thank you.'
Il hope you will sleep well, sir.
When shall call your
AT four o'clock in the morning, il
you please. / must walk over to
R station in time for the six ,
o'clock express I,
I'll be sure to cali you, SIR
She withdrew, leaving me alone in
the gloomy little apartment. I sat
down and looked around ne with no
very agreeable sensation. /;
i will sit down and write to Alice,
thought that will soothe my nerves
and quiet me, perhaps
/ descended the ladder, the fire /,
still glowing redly on the hearth be- .
meath; my companion and the woman ,
sat beside it, talking in q low tone,
and third person sat at the table :
eating--a short, stout, villainous- ,
looking man, in . red flannel shirt
and muddy trousers.
1 asked for writing materials and +
returned to my room to write to my |;
wife. y
'My darling Alice {
paused and laid down the pen 40 :
| concluded the words, half smiling {
70 think what she would say could +
.he know Of my strange quarters. Ic
Not until both sheets were covered :