The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-09-02
Selert Shry.
A TERRIBLE MISTAKE.

flowers. Well, they are pretty--shat thel
are-though doubt as some would cal
the marigolds and carnations common
and old-fashioned. You don't see many
of 'em now in your ine new-iangled
gardens, do your It's pretty LITTLE
place this, amt it, sir ? And it's my wn
too-my very own-and will go to my
grandson after me. He's a good lad, hs
is-it's him as looks after the garden
Mighty fond Of flowers he is, and rarely
proud he'll be, know, when he hears as
fine town gentleman has taken notice
of 'em! Alb, l was fond of gardening
too, in my time! But I'm getting an old
man now-eighty-fv am come Christ
mas-aud l don't expect 10 be spared
much longer, though Pm hale and hear
ty yet, thank heaven! Ah, times have
altered, sir, since my young days! For
the better, you sayp Well, things are
grander now than they were then, but
somehow | seem to like old times best,
perhaps because l was young and strong
in 'em. And talking of old times re-
minds me Of something that once hap.
pened to me. L; ke 10 hear it, sir Well,
so you shall and welcome, if you don't
mind wasting an hour or so with az old
chap like me. Sit down, then, on that
bench and make yourself comfortable.
you've been 10 Cnelms FORD, perhaps ?
Then maybe you know the 'Saracen's
Headr Well, close 10 where that now
stands there used to be an old inn called
the Swan A queer old place it was. to
be sure, with its easements and windows
and overhanging gables. l was living
at Rslphan then-i''s nigh upon six y
years ago--a farmer l was, and had been
married only q short time to dear little
wife as loved we'll and true till she died,
poor lass!
"One cold December day started for
Brain,ree, to look at some stock as i
thought Of buying. AS it was a two
days journey, meant to stop at Chelms
ford for the night and 60 on early next
day. l didn't leave 1me till about two,
and l had weary road to travel, 80 that
the darkness came on before l reached
the glbbet on the edge of the common: {:
and / can tell yon nv flesh crawled. as
the saying is, when l galloped past at
iull speed 1t was bleak cold night,
and the road was bad, 80 that it was late
before rode into Chelmsford.
81 put up at the 'Swan'-that being
the first Inn / came to-and was stand
ing watching the osler rubbing down
my good old mare-for | always attend
ed to tlat first thing-when the landlord
came slowly out to me; he was short,
sharp faced man, with great black eyes
that had an uneasy sort Of look in 'eLl,
,told him I'd had long ride and was
glad enough to get safe into his yard
for I'd gold about noe and we'd heard
horrible tales of the robberies and mur.
durs on the kings highway. Well, be
showed me into long low room-the
kitchen it was-with a brick aoor and a
bright fire burning.
"'Tbere's a noisy lot in the parlor,
SIR SAID he; 'you II he quiet and cosy
here, for mavbe you're tired and chilly
after your ride in the wind
81 ordered steak and, as ! ate my
supper, thought to myself that ! could
not have chosen better place than the
Swan to stop at. A ter l had finished
| called for pipes and grog and sat by
the fire with the landlord, but might as
well have been alone Tor he never spoke
a word, but sat, staring into the fire with
a wicked Ionk in his eyes that | didn't
like, though l didn't take much notice of
it then. Alb, / know now what his
thoughts we're as he sat g'z ng moodiy
into the glowing coal>! He was think
ing OF the disgrace brought upon his
name by bis only con, and wondering
where the money was to come from which
must be procured somehow If his boy
was to he saved from ruin. And then no
doubt he planned to murder me-ah, it's
all true, sir--lve got his confession by
me now-snd bury me down by the river
side in the meadow behind the stable.
Then he meant to turn my mare cut be
fore dawn so that the servants might
think had left early; and then, you see,
when it was found, people would think
something had happened to me on the
road TO Braintree. Well, my companion
reused himself after time and began
asking me what thought OF the couu-
try, il had ridden far, If had been
advised to put up at The Swan, and such
like questions. l answered them freely
enough, never supposing that he had
asked them for any other purpose than