The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-06-16

4
| ly, with an air Of ordinary curiosity, and oc-
casionly ventured some common place re-
mark; but finding he made no reply, took
no notice of her presence, and even seemed
not to hear her, she became bolder in her
manner, and two OF three times stopped near
| him, staring directly into his face.
| He appeared to be between sixty and sew
enty years of age, had gray hair, a stern,
| pinched face, a large nose, thin, compressed
| lips, and cold, staring ewes, the expression of
which was far from pleasing, and which was
not redeemed by anything else in his cOun-
tenance. In fact he seemed like a man not
at peace with himself or the world, or who
was either then broodiug over some commit
| TED crime or contemplated revenge.
There sir, your supper's ready, If you
want it," at length spoke the mistress, in a
half querulous tone, as If offended that none
of her previous remarks had been noticed.
The strange traveller took no heed, but still
sat staring at the fire.
IT say your supper's ready. man; and, il
you want it hot, you'd better eat it before it
gets cold. for I'll not warm 1T again this
blessed night for you nor nobody else -
cried the hostess, in an angry tone.
Still no mOvement-no response-no indi-
cation that her unmusical voice was even
heard.
'1 say" she half screamed in his ear, at
the same time taking hold of his arm rather
rudely.
Like ball he sprung from his seat and
confronted her, his eyes looking wild and
wicked
"Good Lord, man. don't scare body so 70
exclaimed the woman. taking two or three
quick, backward steps, and turning pale with
fright "Pm only trying to make you un-
derstand your supper's ready
The stranger plared at her for a moment,
then glanced at the table. and then seemed
to comprehend the tr1e facts.
ooh ahl yes 70 he replied, with a grim
smile. "I beg your pardon Its like you
have spoken to me before 90
"It's like have half dozen times, lust
as I might have talked to post 70
Eyes, madam, see-I thank vou-I beg
your pardon. was busy thinking and for
got where was
He then took his seat at the table, and
while eating his supper, tried to make amends
for his former impolite abstraction, by max
ing himself as agreeable as possible He
succeeded so we'll in his efforts to please that
the mistress of the house became quite
charmed with his conversation, and began to
think be might possibly be an angel in dis
guise-or, in other words, a rich and eccen-
trio old gentleman, whom good fortune had
thrown in her way for future husband OF
possible legacy.
But these bright hopes did not have long
Il iOD hoA 4Ea
ished his meal, than he suddenly grew cold,
taciturn and presently asked to be shown to
his bed. IF he slept soundly, the mistress of
the house did not-for after the dispelling of
the bright fancy Of future wealth, she began
to fear that the stranger might take a notion
to shorten her life before morning, and she
lay awake and listened ard trembled at everv
unusual sound.
The night, however, passed off without
any disturbance and at daylight the old man
arose and went out, leaving his bundle be-
hind. Scarcely was he out of sight before
the curiosity of his hostess set her to work
to see If she could gather any new facts
If he had left a trunk instead of a bundle.
she would probably have found a way to open
and rummage it but as it was she had only
to unite an old. dirty handkerchief, and there
before her eyes lay a shirt pair of stockings
and tin box-a curious looking tin Sox-for
which, unfortunately for her ease of mind.
she could not imagine any use. She held it
up, turned it over, shook it, and tried her
best to see into it, and conjecture for what
purpose it was made but not being able to
do this, she at length resigned it with a sigh,
rolled it up as she had found it. tied up the
h,.v, AZ,
John the Painter came back to a late break
fast, and then settled with the curious widow
for all he had had of her, at the same time re-
marking that he might possibly remain in
town another night, in which case he hoped
he would be permitted to return and pass
another night under her hospitable roof.
To this she now readily gave her consent
again thinking him a man of some eonse-
quence.
He then inquired where he could find a
tinman; anG receiving the proper direction
to one, he bade her goodbye and started off
this time taking his bundle with him.
Toward evening, however, be came back.
and said he had concluded to stay another
night in town, and wanted supper, which the
widow again prepared for him.
He ate this meal in silence, and soon after
made some excuse to 90 out
He was absent two OF three hours. and
when he returned he reported that there was
quite large fire which he understood tn he
in some government building that he feared
wonid be consumed
''But blessed are the poor r. he added
with a strange kind OF laugh, which his host
ess afterwards recalled 'for they have moth
Ing to lose"
He then went to bed, and appeared to rest
well through the night; but rose at the first
streak Of day, paid his reckoning, and took
bis departure, saving he would not return.
On going out, an hour or two later the
widow was surprised to see the usually ouiet
town of Ports mouth in great commotion-
groups collected here and there as if discuss
ing some remarkable event-and mounted
men, both military and civil, dashino bitber
and yon, seeming hurried and anxious. On
every blank wall, too. there was a flaming
placard announcing the startling fact that a
hundred thousand pounds worth of naval
stores had been destroyed by ineendiarism.
that secret emissaries of the enemy were sup
posed to be in their rIidst, Offering large re-
wards for the arrest and conviction of the
guilty, and ordering all citizens to report to
the nearest magistrate the names of ALI
strangers who bad lodged in town during the
last three days and more especially last
night
As soon as the widow fairly understood
70 -