Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-02-26
from the Boston Travecr.l
THE AGENTS STORY.

A storm was raging without, and
company of us had collected in the old
inn for shelter and nights lodging
There were six in all--two drovers, one
agent, two travellers and myself, an artist
who was roaming about for sketches in
this picturesque region. The wind and
rain were accompanied by vivid flashes of
lightning and deafening blasts of thun-
der. The old inn shook and shook again,
and the rickety windows ratified M If
with aglle.
Those who have been there know that
strangers who meet under these circum-
stances are like soldiers in war; they
soon become as acqnaintances of long
standing. 1t was 80 with us on that
memorable night A few words had
been exchanged, but now that the storm
had increased to n violence that was APP
palling, we felt drawn together AZ
soldiers mess, md it wasn't long before
two or three had told of incidents i'll
their lives that this tempest recalled. 1t
came the agents turn TO tell a story, and
after brief pause he said:
Gentlemen, 1 am reminded Of an III
cident that happened within fifty les of
this place, some five years ago, / think
/ should term it an adventure, for such
it was, and 1t happened in an old inn,
and on stormy night.
LET us have it by all means" said
one of the drovers.
"An inn adventure is always worth
listening to" added one of the travellers.
At this moment II tall man entered the
room from the outer porch, who attract
ed our attention only M he wore blue
glasses and was an addition to our com
pany. A heavy beard covered well his
face, and his body had n slight stoop as
of one of studious habits He threw off
his waterproof overcoat, which such men
carry, in travelling, oil the year round,
and signifying III rather high voice that
he did not wish to interrupt us, silently
drank glass of ale Mt the bar, and seat
ed himself near one of the travellers
the one who had just spoken. The
agent began his story.
Well, gentlemen. this WIS some five
years ago, ns have told you, and it was
in an inn about fifty miles north of this
place. ] had been ont on some business
OF my agency, and was overtaken by n
storm. 1t was wild country, but, az
luck would have it, | soon reached an inn
~ old "a this, but more dilapidated.
The landlord grimly smiled from the
bar, in appreciation OF the compliment of
the agent. just then flash of lightning
blinded ia all, and n crash of thunder
lifted us to our feet, but as there was no
sign of damage we resumed our seats,
and the agent continued his story. The
newcomer with the Eyeglasses had
changed his place, so that he was farther
removed from the narrator. | saw a pair
of sharp gray ewes glance from the
spectacles, but pail no attention to it,
"At the door of this inu | raped with
my hickory cane, continued the agent,
land it was opened by tall man. who
attracted my attention ut once by his
large hands and scar on his check,
which gave his tace very sinister aspect
In response to m invitation. delivered in
deep, bass voice. entered, and sat by
the fire to dry my clothing A crooked
old crone, who seemed to play the part
of housekeeper In the inn, WAS all the
living thing | saw, besides the inn-keep-
or, that night. You will find before
Get through that | have reason to remem-
Der both of those inmates.
At this point in the agents narration
another tremendous bolt shook the inn,
and we held our breath ~ IL the earth
was yawning beneath us. | noticed that
the stranger had shrunk still further ont
OF sight, as if the lightning was too much
for bis eyes. | call him the stranger, for,
though the rest of us had never met be-
fore, we had exchanged compliments,
and felt drawn together rs having q com
mon interest III the storm; but this last
conner WAS very silent man. betrsying
only high voice of considerable snap
when he asked for his ale, 1t seemed to
me singular voice for that sort of man.
but gave no thought of it at the time
"This thunder reminds me of TIE
thunder that night, continued the agt T.
"But III TO the story. When l had
dried myself, and eaten a meal, which
WAS frugal enough, ! assure You, was
shown into the room, which l might
with propriety term loft. but which