The Arkansaw traveler., 1882-12-10
AN AWFUL NIGHT.

known drummer. while party of the ~commercial hustle" craft sat around a stove a, country hotel in Arkansaw, where the lateness of train had, and greatly against their will. il may be truthfully said. caused them to congre- gate.
 I've been on the road long time, he continued, and a great many accidents have befallen me. but a li,tle experience l had recently in the northwestern part of this state. steps few feet in advance of anything which has ever been visited upon me. One evening. a, the close of a day whose lowering skies and damp att mosphere made me feel uneasy lest should have to remain out all night, 1 reached small house, situated near a beautiful little stream, just comfortably settled on the graceful slope of one of the many picturesque valleys which render that country the perfection of magnif- cent and ohangeful scenery. The owner of the place was vey courteous. asked me to get down and finger a, the short neck Of a long jug-which did, you know-bu, when referred to the com ing of dismal night. and recoun,ed the many dangerous stumbles which my horse had made even in daylight. and asked him if he could accommodate me with place to sleep. regardless of white sheets and pillow shams. he shook his head negatively. When pressed my entreaties. he shook his head ominously. At length. considering the gathering gloom of d night amid whose blackness any courage would quail to wander. he said
 Mister, no man more than am is disposed to accommodate | stranger. but the truth Is, there are but two rooms to our house. both of which are occupied by the family. and there Is no place for you to stay except
 Except what 7 asked eagerly
 Except in the old stone mill down by the creek ,onder.'
 ...Why not stay there. asked.
 ".Not because you would fail to ind comfortable quarters. for there Is a pretty good bed in room tha, Is far from mean, but because
 ".Because what asked impa- tiently.
 Because the place is haunted "'Nonsense. replied. 'lt is the old story. Give my horse something to eat and show me the place.
 ''.I do not advise you to take this step, he said. while an almost dea,hly pallor spread over his facs- I was once in- creduous, but am convinced now Why, sir. &n the very room where you would attempt to find rest, three men were murdered during the war. Since then, the ghosts of these men visit the room nightly.
 Nonsense again exclaimed. Show me the place.
 He complied reluctantly, and led me down the hill to an >old stone. tower like house. He seemed to be in great dread of something, for. as he opened the door and heard the rats running away, he shook violently. laughed at his fears and followed him up steep stairway in- to large room containing bed made mostly of corn sacks. 4 large fireplace gaped a, one end of the apartment. and piece of bolting cloth which served as a curtain for the high. narrow window, uembled in the spears of wind which came through broken places in the glass.
 "'l'li take care of your horse. hope the Lord will take care of you. were my companion $ parting words.
 Il heard him stumbling down stairs. and when heard the down stairs door close. looked around for fire wood for the air of the room was chilly. Finding broken beam and few pieces of frame work. kindled a fire, and lay down for the night, smiling at the superstition of my ignorant but kind host. The fire blazed brightly. and even after my piece of candle had burned away. lay there looking up among the steep rafters ard watching the spider webs shiver at each fresh blast of wind. Gradually every thing grew indistinct and dozed. A fall ing chunk awoke me. with something of start confess, and again lay looking around. Again l do1ed. Suddenly | sprang up. Something cold had touched my face. The lire was burning low. and getting up raked the chunks together and soon had bright blaze. lay down again and had persuaded myself tha, l had been dreaming when whack some thing struck me across the face. sprmg up but could sec nothing sat on the edge of the bed, when suddenly mv blood