Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-19
4 LAWYERS STORY.

[ am lawyer, and the adventure I am
about to relate befell me some eight or nine
years ago. L was struggling hard then to
make my way in the world, and gain a
good position IL my profession.
| had q case iutrusted to me which prom
ised to be full of difficulties. l did not
doubt of Ultimate success, but the matter
was so hedge@ in by technical embarrass'
ments and nice points Of law that my
whole time and attention were occupied
with it.
Some details Of this business necessi-
tated my taking a journey to the North,
and late one cold December afternoon !
alighted at the station of moderate. sized
town 10 Yorkshire. Cl1wford was not my
destination, but SIS the train service ceased
there l had no choice but to seek some
other mode of conveyance to Blackstone,
the village for which l was bound. But to
meet with one, l found, was much more
difficult than l had anticipated.
Blackstone, ] was informed, was small
and isolated village, the way to which was
across a bleak barren moor. l was told
that was too late to so then, Tor fall of
snow was imminent, and to be caught on
Inc lAOtIb III . SllbN SOU III " 10 . lion wv
dangerous to be lightly incurred. Tae
next morning I could have both man and
a vehicle to take me whithersoever | might
wish.
listened TO these objections with impa-
thence. l had much work on hand, and
was anxious r. return TO London, and l
decided that l could not afford the delay
At length, after good deal of solicitation
and persuasion On my part, and consid-
cradle expenditure OF argument and pro-
hesitation on his, mine host of the " George
Inn reluctantly agreed 80 let me have
horse. The good man eased ms conscience
by repeated warnings and entreahes to de-
fer my journey; but 1 was strong Of limb
and stout 81 heart. and, being furnished
with explicit directions as to the route, |
set out, mine most and hostess standing at
the inn door and witnessing my departure
with many dismal shakings Of the head aud
joleful proguosJicahons.
My horse Use e steady going sort of an
animal, and / logged along comfortably
enough Tae lights of Clowford soon dis
appeared, and before long found myself
on the moors. The wind was pierceingly
keen and cold, aud I buttoned my coat
more tightly. and turned up tne cellar as a
protection against it. Twilight had fallen
before l left 5ae town, but the stars were
twiukling brightly, the way was clear, snd |
congratulated myself on my recent display
Of resolution,
Musing on my errand and its probable
results, Rad all the possibilities and contIn-
gencies attached thereto, l let my horse
pursue his coarse without much guidance
from me.
We had gone, I suppose, about a third
Of the way, when | awoke to the fact that
the darkness WAS momentarlly deepening
] looked about for the cause, and found
that the friendly stars had become invlsl-
BILE by reason of pail of lowering black
ness which had oyerspread the sky. The
wind, too. was increasing and blew IN
fierce, sudden gusts, and presently there
came swirl.ug against my cheek few
feathery flakes of snow.
" By love, the old fellow wac right -
muttered, urging my horse to a gallop.
The snow came down faster and faster,
resting on the brim of my hat, clinging to
my coat and covering my beard. Such
personal discomfort was bad enough, but |
was more concerned at observing that the
ground was assuming a bewIldering uni
tormitv OF wniteness. II the remembrance
of tho cosy Uarlor and blazing fire l had
left behind al the George made me re-
pent Of my 1emeri.y for one moment l
dismissed the reelection the next and kept
my eyes employed in searching for land
marks. had to lock out for sigu-post,
which, as vct, | had not perceived but
the swift siiens downfall Of the snow pre-
vented me from seeing far in advance, |
kept up my spirits by humming the refrain
OF some I9yl.i German drinking song that
had heard ssacu a student at Heidelberg,
keeping meanwhile q sharp lookout for the
sign.post ~ llcn vas so long IN making its
appearance.
Suddenly my horse stumbled and fell
pitching ue Reinforcement into snow
drift. Beyond d passing giddiness l was
none the worse for the tumble, but the
horse, found, was mortally hurt. What
was to be done now My position was de-
cidedly an unpleasant one-alone IN the
middle OF wide unsheltered heath. with
no habitation that l was aware OF nearer
than the town I had left or the village to
which l WAS j5urneying
Well, II would never do 20 stand still l
must be moving one wayor another, though
my hopes OF reaching my destinaton that
night grew FAINT indeed. The attainment
of a shelter from the bitter inclemency OF
the weather vas just then my chief desire.
I heartily wished / had had pistol with
me SO that might have put the poor sut-
feriug brute ONT Of its misery; but l had
not 60 with great conjunction I left 1t to
its .ste.
! walked till nay legs ached and my
hands grew usmb-d ana insensible to all
feeling The many stories l had read or
heard respecting berglted travellers being
lost IN the SNOW OF falling asleep to wake
on earth no more, REQUIRED 20 me with un-
pleasant v.viiaJss. At last | espiod =
faint cl5su 40 some distance on my lst5.
l made my Tay quickly TO the vel leone
light which I found on approaching, pro-
ceeded frem she window of q long ramb-
ling building
Tae place rad q desolate forlorn appear
ance. / did Dos stop, however, to make 4
close inspection, but knocked at the door
with my almos. frozen knuckle9.
The light was moved, and a woman's
voice said, Is that you, father 90
No, I answered, Il an stranger.
have been ovcr.aken by the storm. and
beg you 70 give me shelter for the night.
q am sorry, was the startling reply 4;
"but it is impossible :!
Impossible g repeated, with an i'm
patient kick at the door, My good
woman, you cannot know what you are
sxying. Why, it is certain death to me to
refuse to admit me .
Some low indistinct words were the only
answer my outburst received.
For Heavens sake, cried, returning
to the attack, ''let me in till morning
want neither food nor drink, only a roof to
protect me from tho weather.
There Was the rafting of chain, the
door was thrown open, and woman, with
her head muHad IN a shawl, appeared be.
fore me.
- must apologize, said, as courte.
ously as my chattering teeth would allow,
"for my uncsremonious request But
you see for yourself what sort of night
it is.
Yes, see, she returned slowly then
reluctantly" You had better come IN.
1 did not stay for more gracious invi-