The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-09-14


we are not rich, we never yet turned
away benighted traveller. So, come
in, and my frau shall get you something
to eat"
The table was soon spread with neat,
white cloth, upon which was placed n
platter of cold boiled meat, garuishcd
well with vegetables. then Il plate Of
white bread, a roll of butter, dish of
shining blackberries, and plate Of spicy
ginger cookies.
II feel too dirty to- sit down to de-
cent table," said TIE traveller with n
smile. May trouble you for basin
of water?"
1t was brought, he took off his coat,
preparatory to washing his face and
hands. Gretchen who stood beside him
with fresh towel in her hands, uttered
| II slight scream
Blood" she cried "Thcre's blood on
your slceyesN
The basin of water fell from the
strangers hands His face shonc white
through the glistening drops Of water he
had dashed upon it. Them with an eff
fort, he said carelessly:
"Ah. yes; those rocks by the creek
made quite cash in my shoulder. You
scc,' hlandly explaining, "while | was
lost, | thought id try and cross the
creek 1t was getting dark AMI when |
reached the other side found it 50 rocky
that could scarcely climb mp. got
half way when a sudden mis- step made
me fall. A sharp piece Of rock pierced
my shoulder, and, indeed it has caused
me considerable pain"
Zach, too bad' said Frau Groat 81
have soothing lotion, which You may
put on before yon go to bed. "
Thanks. And I'll go to bed right
after Eve had my supper, if you please,
for I'm very tired Besides, | will have
to rise early in the morning, so that |
may take the first train.
The next morning the whole family
was up in time to see their guest depart
He partooll with good appetite of Fran
Groats breakfast of ham and eggs: he
listened quietly and with seeming rev.
crcncc to his host as he read n chapter
from the old, black, German Bible, and
offered mp thc usual morning prayer.
Then, just rs he was ready to start, he
inquired what he should pay for his
board mud lodging.
'oh, notiog,s-noti4ss! Yo4 are wei,
Groat, heartily.
"lou are very kind, said the
stranger, "but feel that | ought to re-
pay You Ill some way. See hero
opening his satrhel-''if YOU will not
let me give money, pray do me the kind
ness OF accepting these little tokens OF
gratitude. Here, frnu ttroat nre two
| pair of stockings that would Just lit your
| busy feet, and here, Gretchen, Is bran
| new piece OF calico, NOR" !han enough
for a dress, They are the only things l
did not sell and I do not care to lug
them home again"
The two women accented his gifts
with much pleasure. and, with mutual
ayprpsSious of rood luck. the traveller
ard his kind entertainers parted. The
former wore blue checked shirt Of
Peter Groat :. He left his own behind
him, telling Frau Groat that she might
keep it in exchange for the ON" she had
given hin. As the strangers shirt was
Of excellent material, with linen bosom
and cuffs. the worthy lame thought she
had made good bargain.
William Glcyson, Il farmer in the
vicinity Of Haywood. missed one of his
COWS that Friday night, ana early on
the following morning set out to make
search for her. He hunted through the
meadow lands, followed the course Of the
creek quite way, and finally entered
the pine woods. When about half way
through. brown object lying on the
grass II little distance from him, attracted
his attention. lie went to it. 1t was
large piece Of wrapping paper, and n
lone hit of Irvine vas living beside it.
The paper was damp with dew, AMI as
Grcvson carelcsslv turned it over III his
hand, he observed some red spots on it.
He examined them more closely. They
were the bloody prints of o thumb and
fingers.
He looked around him kccnly. He
soon noticed that the bank of ferns Dor
dcring thcpath, was in one place crushed
and broken. lie followed these marks,
and they led him TO the most dense and
most unfrculcntad part of the woods,
and there in n hollow. almost covered
with undcrbrush, lay the body of
woman. II was Mrs. Curtis, lying sun
aud stark, with bloody gash across iier
throat.
Two hours later, party OF men was