Weekly Chillicothe crisis., 1884-11-20
CHAPTER II.

ndu lHlcHucu W CoHllHuC my JOUR-
ney, but when the following morning
came, could not quite get my con-
sent. 1t was not that l was tired of
wandering among the blue-toppcd
mountains; it was, | think that having
passed an evening so delightful, |
fondly contemplated another.
"DOn't think o. going so soon," said
old man Jcflrics, when, after saddling
my horse, / stood hesitating. "If you
air arter health, Mr.. Moselcy, an air
willin' to put up with our rough way
o. livin', wy we ken accommodate
you. If | was out lookin' airter health
/ wouldn't want n better place than
this here is"
''Nlr. Jefl'rics," said |, turning and
catching sight of n beautiful face in
the doorway as did so, "if | can en-
gage board with you will remain
few weeks
II can board you as cheap as any
body"
81 was not considering the cheap
ness of accommodation"
"Then why don't you turn your
horse loose an go in the housc?"
l went into the house. Although
the sun had come up in = golden burst
over the Jagged peak of the Eagles
nest''-a grand pile of rocks and trees
that looked as though distorted by
perpetual anger-yct cloud that had
at dawn lurked with lowering trown
over the Devils knob, spread its vul-
ture-likc wings, lowered above the
valley, and sent down asteady pour
of rain. Is there anything that facili-
tates acquaintance like confinement IN
q farmhouse on u rainy dayp Con-
template the dash of water against
the windows; the dropping bushes in
the yard; the great rocks, down whose
seams the water runs Ike flood of
tears; the despOiled rooster, standing
on one foot and then, turn to the fire
that murmurs like a drowsy cat; to the
old fashioned churn in the corner; to
the spining-wheel, which from the
semi-gloom under the stairway, seems
to throw up its head like the picture of
unicorn; the SQUAD of knitting
needles, and-ah, the delighted snap
of beautiful eyes, the smile of beauti-
full lips-is there an earthly situation
more enjoyably mixed with the bright
and the drcary, blending of whose
charm seizes us, and makes us live one
hour for each minute, yet never tire of
times slow drag alongPn
"By the way" said when we were
all seated round the fire, yesterday
while exploring a valley on the other
side of the river, j found an old man
sitting in front of cave, blowing a
flute. l tried to engage him in con-
versation, but he looked so unkindly
upon my attempt that was compelled
to withdraw without being any the
wiser for having seen him."
Hes been thar dozen year or
more" replied Mr.. Jcffries. Nobody
knowed when he come or why he
come. He never leaves the cave.
When he amt inside, lie sets at the
door an blows music outen piece o.
fishin' pole. | may not have a very
good year for music, but give mo my
choice, lissenin' TO dyin' calf ur that
ole feller, an blamed Of I wouldn't
tell the calf to go ahead"
"Does he ever allow anyone to enter
the cayeP"
"Oh, yes. He's sorter curious, but
il you don't pay no attention 10 him,
its all right. Anybody nn go up an
walk into the cave, which they tell me
is curious. place. Eentie here has
been in thar. / never had much
curiosity about the old feller. His
music is good enough for me-"
what kind Of place is 1t isside?'"
l asked, turningNto Lentie.
"Very quaint" she replied, "every-
thing you see suggests the peculiar
character of the old man." f5 =
"0h, she's scholar" said the old
man in admiration of his daughters
readiness of expression. II never had
much money, an I've always had to
work hard me an my wife, but we
sent Lentie off to school, didn't we,
Nancyp" ..
} "Yes, Redman," replied the wife,
fumbling in her knitting to recover
loststitch.
Eyes, we did, an the beauty o. tits,
Lentie amt ashamed o. her old dad,
nuther, air you Lentiep"
"Pa, you ought to be slapped for
asking such.a question" " she rejoined,
bounding to the old mans side and
encircling his neck with her arms.
Thar now,' said he, I'VE don't