The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-10-18
SAILS MISTAKE.

young wife went out In that wild West
ern country. But owing partly to the
obscurity of the roads, and partly to the
want of clearness in the direction re-
ceived at my last stopping place, l had
missed the way; and lost so much time
in regaining It, and my horse was so
jaded, and it was getting 80 near night
fall, that 1t was clear must seek shelter
at the first habitation, and defer the
pleasure of meeting Tom till next day.
was beginning to feel little nervous,
for the forest shadows were deepening so
fest that there was danger of again losing
the way--in which event the prospect of
passing shelteress and supperless
night in the woods was far more immi-
nent than pleasing
1 patted JUDAS neck encouragingly.
He answered in good idiomatic Houy-
hnhnm:
"Aye, aye, sir !" and fell into brisk
er trot.
Soon we emerged into the light of a
clearing, further frightened by the
CLEAN of a cheerful fire, visible through
the open door of settlers cabin.
A loud hello brought out the proprle-
tor. To my request of food and shelter
he yielded ready assent; whereupon,
dismounting and removing my saddle
bags, in which L had sum in gold
larger than 1 cared to have stranger
know, handed over Juba to our hosts
I. LII l,A I,tt rfn tt,xv In
tion, found my way into the house,
whose mistress, busted in the prepara-
tion of the evening meal, bade me take
chair, hardly glancing up from veni-
son steak she was broiling on the GOALS
of which the savory odor made full
amends for the curtness of my welcome
The master of the cabin reappeared
presently, and in return for the intelli-
gence that his name was lofts, received
Information that mine was Touchwood
"Supper is ready" Mrs. lofts an
nounced.
"Set up, stranger" added Mr.. lofts.
"Take trimmin's in yourn ?" the for
mer asked, poising spoon filled with
maple sugar over cup of rye coffee, and
giving me an interrogative glance.
took the "trimmin's;" and after an
invitation to help myself, with which L
compiled without ceremony, the meal
to which, on my part, that best of sau-
ces, Hunger, lent piquant relish, was
proceeded with in silence.
Looking up from time to time, en-
countered more than one sharp glance
from Mrs. Tofts' keen gray eyes. She
seemed studying my face intently, and
with peculiar interest that puzzled me.
Supper over, Mr. lofts and drew our
chairs before the fire, and the cross-ex-
animation which any back woods host
would deem it breech of hospitality to
omit, was entered on in due form. To
the questions touching "whar hailed
from" and "whar 1 Imought be goin' to-"
/ answered unreservedly; but when it
came to inquiring into the objects of my
journey and other private matters, was
less communicative-not caring to let it
out that 1 was travelling on an errand
which necessitated the carrying of con-
siderable sum of money.
Mrs. lofts, while clearing off the ta-
BILE, could not help observing, kept me
under fire of sidewise glances, at the
same time listening closely to my
answers.
When the dishes had been cleaned and
put away, by signal which it was evil
IDENTIFY meant should not see, she sum-
moned her husband to an adjoining
room and closed the door. There was
heightened whispered conference, after
which the pair returned and took seats
before the fire.
1t was Mr.. lofts turn now to scrutin-
ize my features, which he did with
broad stare of his round, watery eyes,
into which there had come look as
nearly penetrating as they were capable
of assuming. He had completely lost
his volubility, however-leaving it to
his better half to do the talking; and
much the better half she was, too, in
the art of putting questions. There was
directness in her queries which baffied
evasion by any means short of down.
right rudeness; and before 1 was aware
/ was depleted of fund of knowledge of
my personal affairs which it chagrined
me afterwards to think of.
l pleaded WEAKNESS at last, and asked
to be shown to bed
Mrs. lofts trimmed and lit tin lamp
which she handed to her husband, who
stopped to pick up my saddle bags