The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-04-01
screams made hideous accompaniment


to the howl of the wolf. The Chancel-
lor urged his weary horse onward with
the hope of gaining some place of safety
for the night, while his wife chung in
terror to his arm.
But the darkness soon became so deep
that it was impossible to proceed, and
the travellers believed themselves doomed
to spend the night in the forest, exposed
to all its horrors and dar gers. But just
as Kent brought his horse to halt q
light suddenly cleaned out Of the inter-
stices between the trees, apparently but
short distance beyond them. Push
ing onward once more, they soon found
themselves in front of comfortable log
house standing near the roadside.
A woman, apparently 30 years Of age,
attracted by the rattle of the carriage,
came to the door with lighted candle
in her hand
"My good woman, myself and my
wife, the lady with me in the carriage,
are on our way to Canandaigua, but we
have lost our way night is upon us we
can &C no further. Can you give us
shelter for the night, some supper, and
something for our horse to eat p said
Kent.
1--WE are poor folks, and I'm alone.
My man is chopping over in the Billings
settlement, and you are strangers" said
the woman, approaching close to the car
riage and narrowly scanning its occu-
pants "But you look like respectable,
good people" she continued, "and l
guess you can stay here l can give you
something to eat, if it amt quite so good,
and I'll fodder your horse, too. You
and your woman had better get out and
90 into the house while lead the horse
to the stable"
Mrs. Kent found seat in the cottage
and the Chancellor assisted the woman
In embarrassing the horse, which she led
to the sable and comfortably fed.
The hostess soon prepared frugal
but acceptable supper for her guests
When the meal was finished she said /:
81 s'pose you are tired and want to go
right to bed, and you can. That's our
bed in the corner there, but you can
sleep in it tonight. and my man can
sleep up stairs. He may not come in
for some time. I'll just set his supper
on the table when he comes in he'll eat
it but he won't disturb you one bit
and then hell come right up to bed So
I'll bid you goodnight. I'll try and
keep watch when my man comes, so he'll
understand things"
So saying, she placed her mans even
ing repast on the table, then assembled a
ladder leading to sort of scuttle hole,
through which she crawled to the attic.
The Chancellor and his wife retired to
rest.
"Tired nature" was hurrying them on
to the land of drea ms when, of sudden,
Kent started up, saying:
"Bessle, that outside door is not fas-
tened Presently the man of the house
will return, and, seeing me here in bed
with you, he will of course think that
you are his wife, and he may not fancy
that have any legal right to be here
that my business is not just the thing ;
and being a wood-chopper, he will have
his ak with him, and his wife will be
asleep, and before can explain matters
the Chancellor of this State will be
pretty thoroughly chopped up. Not
a pleasant thing to think of, is it, Bes-
sief'
at is a bad matter. After he has
finished chopping you, fear he will turn
his attention to me. What can be done2
Perhaps his wife will watch for him.
You know she said she would"
"Ill tell you what I'll do, Bessie Ill
push that heavy table against the door.
When the man comes it will take him
some time to remove it, and while lie is
doing 30 / can explain matters to him"
said the Chancellor.
Accordingly, he got out Of bed, took
hold of the table, and had just pushed it
against the door, when he heard heavy
footsteps approaching. Tho next in
slant the door was pushed open, the
table nearly overturned, and man OF
gigantic size, in his shirt sleeves, wear
| ing . broad brim ned straw hat. entered
the room. The FIRST object that met
his sight was Kent, en- dishabille.
CHANGING at the bed he saw, as he sup
posed, his wife there, and the situation
became painfully apparent to him.
| ~ W. l. Iii 49, ard - hat