Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-02-06
my MIDNIGHT PERIL.

shall / 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 l NUT
tered petulently TO myself, as plod-
ded along, keeping close to the trunks
of the trees to avoid the rsvine, thrO'
which could hear the roar of the tur-
bulent stream forty or fifty feet below.
Ny blood ran cold as l thought what
might be the possible consequence of
q misstep or q move In the wrong di-
rectiOD. Why had not been content
ed to keep the right road?
Hold on! was that light, or are my
eyes playing me false?
l stopped, holding on to the low re-
sinous boughs Of hemlock that grew
on the edge of the bank, for it actual
ly seemed that the wind would seize
me bodily and hurl me down the pre-.
cipitous descent.
1t was a light-thank Providence
1t was light, aud no ignis fstuus 10
lure me on to destruction and death.
'Halloo-o.o!'
My voice rang through the woods
like clarion. plunged on through
tangled vines, dense briars and rocky
banks, until, gradually nearing, l
could perceive figure wrapped in an
oil cloth case, or closk. carrying Ian
tern. AS the dim light fell upon his
face almost recoiled. Would not SOL
itude in the woods be preferable TO the
companionship of this withered, wrink-
led old man? But it was too late to
recede now.
whats wanting?' he snarled, with a
peculiar motion of the lips that seemed
to leave his yellow teeth all bare.
Il am lost in the woods; can you di-
rect me to R. Station?'
Yes; r. Station Is twelve miles
from here-'
Twelve milesp
I stood aghast.
Yes
Gould you tell me of any shelter l
could obtain for the night?
NO.
Where are you going?'
ITO Drew's, down by the maple
swamp
rs it tavern?'
No.
Would they take me for the night?
/ could pay them WE'LL
His eyes cleaned; the yellow stumps
stood revealed once more.
Il guess so! folks don't stop there
ST is not far from here::'
Not very; about half mile.'
'rhe make haste and let US reach it..
/ am drenched to the skim
We plodded on. my companion more
than keeping pace with me. Present.
ly we left the edge of the ravine, enter
ing what seemed like trackless woods,
and keeping straight On until the
lights CLEANED fitfully through the wet
foliage.
1t was a ruinous old place, with the
windows all drawn TO one side, as II
the foundation had settled, and the
pillars of rude porch nearly rOtted
away.
A woman answered my fellow trav-
eler's knock. My companion whisper
ed a word or two to her, and she turn
ed to me with voluble words of vel
come.
She regretted the poverty of their
accommodations; buts was welcome
to them such as they were.
Where is Isaac? demanded my
guide.
He has not come yet
l sat kOwn on a wooden bench be-
side the fire, and ate few mOnthfuls
of bread.
Il should like to retire as soon as
possible, for my WEAKNESS is excessive
Certainly The woman started up
with alacrity.
Where are you going to put him"
asked my gnide.
up chamber
Put him in Isasc's room.'
NO.
'It's the most comfortable
Il tell you MOP
But here interrupted the whisper
ed colloquy.
lam not particular-I don't care
where you lodge me, ,only make haste
So was conducted up steep lad
der that stood in the corner Of the
room, into an apartment, eeiled with
slOping beams and ventilated by one
small window, where cot bedsteao,
crowded close against the board parti-
ton, and pine table with two or three
cnairs, formed the sole attempts at
furniture.
The woman set the light-an cd oil
lamp-On the table.
Anything more can get you, sir?'
Nothing, thank you.'
i hope you'll sleep well, sir. When
shall call you?'
AT o'clock in the morning, II you
please. [ must walk over to B. sta
tinn in time for the 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 looked around me with no
very agreeable sensation.
Il will sit down and write to Alice
I thought; that will soothe my nerves
and quiet me, perhaps
l descended the ladder, the fire still
glowed redly on the hearth beneath;
my companion and the woman sat be-
side it talking in low tone, and q
third person sat at the table eating; q
short, stout, villainous looking man,
in a red flannel shirt and muddy trou-
serS.
asked for writing materials and re-
turned to my room to write to my wife.
My darling Alice
] paused and laid down my pen al /
concluded the words, half smiling to
think what she would say, could she
know of my strange quarters.
Not till both sheets were covered did