The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-01-24

''By the way" said I, when we were
all seated around the fire, ''yesterdav
while exploring valley on the Other
side of the river, | found an old man
sitting in front of a cave, blowing a finite
l tried to engage him in conversatior
but he looked so unkindly upon NV Of,
tempt that was compelled to Withdraw
without being any the wiser for having
seen him."
"He's been thar dozen years or
more" replied Mr.. Jeffries. ''Nobodv
kncwd when he come or why he come.
He never leaves the cave. When he
amt inside he sets at the door an blows
music outen piece O. fishin pole. r
may not have very good year fur mu-
sic, but give me my choice, issenin to
a dyin' calf ur that ole Teller, an blamed
eff wouldn't tell the calf to 90 ahead y
docs he ever allow any one to enter
the cave?"
30, yes. He's sorter curious, but if
you don't pay no attention to him. it's
all right. Anybody can coup an walk
into the cave, which they tell me Is q
curious place. Lentie here has been in
thar. | never had much curiosity about
the old fellcr. His music is enough for
me-" =
What kind of place is it inside?' 1
asked, turning to Lentie.
Every quaint" she replied, "everv-
thing you see suggests the pecujaz1
character of the old man"
30, she's a scholar" said the old
man, in admiration of his daughters
readiness of expression. 81 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, Nancy?"
Eyes, Redman," replied the wife,
fumbling with her knitting to recover a
lost stitch"
Eyes we did, an the beauty o it is,
Lentie amt ashamed O. her old dad,
nuther, air you, Lentie?"
''Pa, you ought to be slapped for ask
ing such a question:" she reioined,
bounding to the cid mans side and en-
circling his neck with her arms"
Thar, now" said he, I'VE don't
want no spectickel. Set down an tell
our frien' about the cave"
"All that | could tell would not be
half so interesting as visit to the place
Tomorrow we will 90 and see it."
CHAPTER III.
Early next morning, when the "shout-
ing sum- rose as though freshened by
the rain, Lentie and l set out for the
abode of the venerable troglodyte. The
distance was not great, for we were not
more than out of sight of the house until
we could see the river. The old fellow
must have been eating his breakfast, for
we heard nothing of the flute until we
! had crossed the river in a canoe which
we found under the willows When we
started up the bank the old man APP
peared and began to blow a blast of
| solemn notes.
"We want to look in the cave" said
Lentie
"Well, you're looking in the cave"
he replied
But we want to go in"
"Ohr'
"Old gentleman, said I, '.your life
here must be dreary enough"
"If it were not dreary enough" he
rejoined, Il would seek some place
more dreary."
"Of course you are bored by every
one who chances to meet you, but
would really like to know something
concerning you. Why did you take up
your habitation in such a placer"
Sir, is not the scenery beautiful"
80, yes" replied, "but beautiful
scenery alone does not supply the ne
cesSities of life.''
You are persistent" said he, finger
ing the flute without putting the in
strument to his lips. What is your
business here?"
Il have no business, | am here to
seek recreation from overwork."
''And l am here" he replied with a
sigh, to seek forgetfulness. Disappoint-
ment, young man"
'Old gentleman, l will attempt no
further to discover the cause of your
self-imposed solitude. VIII you allow
us to enter the caveP'
Eyes, and [ will accompany YOU"
1t was indeed a quaint place. The
cave was not large, only containing two
rooms. These were entered after pass
ing through long hallway. The rock
floors We're carpeted with the skins of
wild beasts, and the walls in places
were decorated with snake skins. The
old man was silent during our inspec-
ton. He offered no explanation of his
strange taste for decoration and we
asked none. After leaving the troglo-
dyte we strolled along the beautiful
little river until noon, when we returned
to the house.
CHAPTER ".
had remained three weeks with Mr..
Jelfries, whom l found to be, despite
his lack of education, very much of
gentleman. When | thought of leaving
a sadness oppressed me. My health
had improved so much that the old man
declared | could t.inmn a tan-rail fenna