Weekly Chillicothe crisis., 1884-11-20


tell our fricn' about the cave"
"All that | could tell would not be
half so interesting as visit to the
place. Tomorrow we will go and sec
it,
CHAPTER III.
Early next morning, when the
shouting sum-" arose as though fresh.
ened by the rain, Lentie and set oui
for the abode of the venerable troglo
dyte. The distance was not great, fol
we were not more than out of sighi
of the house until we could see the
river. The old fellow must have beer
eating his breakfast, for we heard moth.
ing of the flute until we had crossed
the river in canoe which we found
under the willows. When we started
up the bank, the old man appeared
and began to blow blast of solemn
notes.
I'VE wantto look in the cave" said
Lentie.
"Well, you're look ing in the cave,
he replied.
"But we want to go in"
"Oh!
"0ld gentleman, said |, "your life
here must be dreary OF rough"
"If it were not dreary enough" he
rejoined, II would seek some place
more dreary."
"Of course you are bored by every
enc who chances to meet you, but |
would really like to know something
concerning you, Why did you take up
your h2bitation in such a place?"
"Sir. is not the scenery beautiful?n
"Oh, yes, NJ replied, "but beautiful
scenery alone does not supply the nee.
essitics of life
"You are persistent" said he,
lingering the flute without putting the
instrument to his lips. "What is your
business hcrePn
81 have no business. | am here to
seek recreation from ovcrwork."
"And, am here" he replied, with
a sigh, "to seek forgctfulncss. Disap-
pointment, young man.
"Old gentleman, | will attempt no
further TO discover the cause of your
self imposed solitude. Will you allow
us 20 enter the cave?n
"Yes, and will accompany you"
twas indeed quaint place. The
cave was not large, only containing
two rooms. These were entered after
passing through long hal! way. The
rock floors were carpctcd with the
skins of wild beasts, and the walls in
places, were decorated with snake
skins. The old man was silent during
our inspection. He offered no explain
alton of his strange taste for decora-
ton and we asked none. After lcav-
ing the troglodytc VIC strolled along
the beautiful river until noon, when
we returned to the house.
CHAPTER ".
| had remained three weeks with
Mr.. Jetl'ries, whom | found to be, de-
spite his lack of education, very much
of gentleman When | thought of
leaving h sadness oppressed me. My
health had improved so much so, that
the old man declared | could Jump a
ten rail fence, staked and ridered. -
| don't think that Mrs. Jeilries had
left off knitting ten minutes since my
arrival. | don't know how many
pairs of socks she had finished, and in
truth don't know that she had linishe., :,
any, for the work on the needles
always seemed about the same length.
ohc uay "i'iG 1eliri'S anu MS WIG
were away walking around inc small
iarm-the wiic carrying her Knitting-
Lentle p"rS' INTO the room ana eN-
GAINED;
,on, WI M0Sc'y' leaVe mere riease
90. Don LOOK ~ me that way ior IL
Is because l iove you so tnat ! want
you TO leave! somebody VIII XIII YOU
On please 90!
caught her IN my arms ana with
her head resting on my shoulder she
TOD t9ld me something that smadc my
DlooG leap
when your rather returns TO thG
mouse Saiu l. releasing ner,, "tel!
MN that am gone Dut that VIII soon
return. ,
but they VIII Kill you II you come
paoE' 81
~ VIII BRING men with me. Don
tel Your iather OF anything OF wha'
you nave discovered lie might say
something that Would enuanger MS
HE Good bye.
CHAPTER V.
Not more than Il week passed until
| returned with ten men, brave fellows
who had served in the army. Having
sccreted them to advantage, l went to
call on Mr.. Jefl'res. | saw in an in
stant that his daughter had followed
my instructions.
"Come back airter more health, ehpn
said he with sly wink a. his wife who
sat in the corner, rattling her knitting
needles.
"Ycs, and hope that | will find
enough to last me for some time to
come"
81 rcckonlyou are tired cap'n, Bet
ter go to bed, don't you think?"
"No, l have work to do tonight. "
"Work!" he repeated in surprise.
"What work can you do to-nightP"
"I'll explain tomorrow. Good
night"
Lentie followed me to the door. Her
tears rolled down my cheek.
found my men anxious for the fun,
as they termed it. They had not much
longer to wait. We crossed the river
without making sound. When within
a short distance of the cave, we halted.
The boys secreted themselves, and