The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1880-07-30

.I y ~~-*<*f
care Of them until morning for you.
think Il very likely Dan viii have other
company before midnight. and it's Just
as well 70 let them know you're empty
handed
We thanked him, and handed oyer
our wallet containing our supply Of
ready money; and my husband thought
il best 20 leave his watch behind also.
The chain was very massive. and would
be likely TO attract attention. We
would not be without timepiece either,
for my watch was simply attached to q
black guard which l wore around my
neck. SO kept II with me. We then
exchanged good-nights, and my hus-
band gathered up the reins 70 %.
II suppose there Is no difficulty
about finding the way?" he said to Mr..
Rice.
"You couldn't miss the cabin; II Is
right down the road-the first house
you come to"
Fifteen minutes drive brought US
there A woman was standing in the
doorway as we approached.
Can you give Us bed tonight,
madam" asked my husband, politely.
s.Mr. Rice is too full to take us in, and
he sent us here thinking perhaps you
might have spare bed"
She stared in silence for the space Of
half q minute OF so. and when at last she
deigned TO speak, II was TO ask some
question about, who all was stoppin'
at Mr.. Rice's So"
"I'll tell you all about il after get
in" replied he, not very truthfully; Il
have been driving all day, and I'm very
tired"
'.Ben ridin' all day! Yer don't say?
You mus be tide sho huff. Li-i-ght
down, bofe on yer. reckin we kin
make out to let yer stay fur one might
Thar haint no -four bread in the house
though; mos'er strangers is almighty
keen for -four bread
But by this time we were both inside
the cabin; for man had appeared dur
| ing the conversation, and 10 him we en-
| trusted the care of our horses. 1t was
q smoke-drie place. evidently kitchen.
dining and bedroom all in one. The
supper was cooking at the open fire.
place; the table was ready Laid and a
couple Of bedsteads stood side by side
against the background of a patch
work quilt which was pinned with
clothes-pins to a rope stretched across
the ceiling. and which served to convert
the ground floor Of the cabin into two
apartments
| A space was left at one end large
enough to furnish means of ingress and
egress, and through this space was
presently conducted that might wash
my face and hands.
Supper was ready almost immediate
", and was glad TO find no other Wis
itors- The hostess talked necessarily
TO nv husband; the three wild. gypsy.
| looking children stared with all the con-
centrated power Of their three pairs o.
black eyes; but the man by whom
was placed neither looked nor talked
he was dark. repulsive individual. who
cut his food vindictively. and ate it as j
he bore it grudge- Ithinkhe uttered
two sentences during the meal. One o
these was to inquire the time
II have no watch with me-" repliee
my husband, to whom he addressed
himself.
That's Gurus" he growIed. half q
himself.
1--WE left our luggage with oui
friends"
To this he made no reply. and scor
after the meal was concluded ! was gIas
to plead fatigue as an excuse for escap
ing from his presence
| My husband joined me presently. ans
we threw ourselves, dressed as we were
on the outside Of the bed, and he wa
soon fast asleep.
Ilay awake for some time. coul'
hear them moving about in the mex
room. as they prepared for bed. ant
then / heard the woman order tn
children TO make has an 60 te
Sleep"
They cyarnt sleep in hyar o-night,
said the man. speaking for the frs
time. IL want all han on yer ter ella
out. want this hyar room t'-night-
What for, DAMP" asked the woman
".Cause do. that's all; fair folks
| comm"
She did not ask any further question
and presently heard her and the chill
| drcn scrambling up the rough ladde
leading TO the loft above.
They speedily took possession Of thei
. beds. and the house became perfect
/ quiet. / heard my husbands deep
drawn, regular breathing; ! heard tn
J dog in the next room as he stirred nov
, and then in his sleep. l heard the ma
move slightly once or twice. 1 kne'
/ from the fumes which pervaded m
| room that he was smoking some yer
; bad tobacco, when haze fell upon m
/ senses-and / fell asleep.
A awoke with start some time after
E ward. Had some one been movin
: about my room? No.
D Everything was rs usual, the nigh
y taper burned dimly on the table. an
: my husband Law sleeping quietly besid
! me.