Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-08-20
MEMBERS OF The BAR.
BY MORRIS REDwING.

Night was fast approaching, and 1 was
anxious to find shelter before the storm
broke that had been threatening now for
nearly an hour.
The distant growl of thunder had in
creased to a loud peal, and the far-oh glow
of the lightning was now one almost con-
tinuous glow 1t would not be long ere the
storm broke in mad fury, and with it the
night would be doubly dark.
My horse was jaded from a long drive,
my buggy wheels spattered with mud, and
myself in anything but pleasant state Of
mind. This seemed TO be the worst coun-
try had ever encountered.
AS the agent of Williams & Jones. had
come to this out of -the-wa region TO look
after their interests in suit that was pend
ing in the Circuit Court of one of the
northern counties.
Forty miles over barren onk plains, and
through pine and hemlock woods. with the
buggy jolting and bounding over roots and
stones, through mud and water good part
of the distance, was not calculated to rem
der one good -natured, to say the least.
Jones, Junior member of the firm, had
been on the ground for week, aud it was
a dispatch from him that brought me on
this journey.
~. taatinnopy is absolutely essential
to the success OF cur ciol.as were the ex-
act words indited by Mr.. Jones, ana n
had set out ut once hiring my horse at the
railway station nearest the county seat for
which was aiming. Many thousands OF
dollars were involved in the suit, and L re-
allied the importance Of my arriving on the
ground in due season.
It was long, lonely road from the sta
ton, and began to fear that / might have
lost my way, when the sight OF smoke and
the gray of a roof loomed in sight. urged
nv horse forward, and drew rein in front
of dingy looking house in the center OF a
small clearing.
noticed faded signboard bearing the
name Cottage Inn" upon it
Great drops of rain began to fall, and a
terrific peal of thunder shook the very
earth. This was accompanied by red
gleam that was simply binding
| glanced down the road at the black wall
of swaying trees, and then leaped from my
seat to the ground.
A man came to the door at my call, q
i-l.-....ta-ar>asAassinn follow who said
he would put out my horse.
Better git inside quick, stranger; it's
goin ter rain like great guns.
/ needed no second invitation, but strobe
into the open door, and found myself in a
narrow, low -ceiled room, across portion
of one side of which extended dingy bar
A Jug and a few black bottles sat on a
shelf next the wall, and the end of the ban
next the end of the room was occupied by
q bucket of waller, the long handle OF tin
dipper showing itself above the side OF the
vessel.
sat down on stool and glared out into
the falling rain. The thunder crashes
came thick and fast, and one continuous
glow of red, blue, and white electricity
shot through the gathering shadows with
out 1t was n terrible night, and L fell
thankful for the shelter that the old way
side tavern afforded.
In little time the man who had taken
my horse to the stable came in and shook
the water in shower from his shaggy
| great coat.
Mighty bad night, stranger" aricu'ated
| the man. You hadn't an idee Of goin
turder Tonight"
when left this morning l had. How
| far is it to Pine Creek"
"Eh? BE you goin' there? Wal, it's {
matter of six miles. i wouldn't advise yoJ
| to go on to night.
@I shall not, if this storm continues.
ITS likely to. Have some supper?"
/ was fatigued, and felt in need OF some
thing strengthening, so / answered in the
affirmative.
Lighting lamp first my host ther
shuffied into The next room, and ] hoard
| him giving orders TO u woman about supper
| for hungry traveller. When the man came
back he removed his coat and hung it uI
behind the bar, then he seated himself AND
proceeded in an attempt 10 LOOK me cut o.
countenance.
You said you was go:n to Pine Creek,
he ques ioned IN hoarse drawl. "Mebb,
you've got business ter courtI"
Maybe have"
Il was up thar day. Big case come
| off ter-morrer. johnson agin Williams
Jones. Mebbe You wasn't goin up on tha
suit2"
| The grizzled head leaned nearer TO me
and a queer look. full of curious question
| ing. filed the little gray eyes. ] felt an
noyed at the fellows impudence.
A crash of thunder silenced quick re-
tort from my lips. and second tho, ght pro
vented my giving vent to my true feelings
ut all.
Il am q witness in the case of johnson
against Williams & JONES'" / said, in
pleasant way, in spite OF my feelings. :"
desired very much to get through TO
night.
SYou can easy make the Creek afore cour
sets in the motnin'," said the landlord
whats the odds whether you stay here o
there tonight You'll be fresher to stol
here. reckin."
nodded, without reply. The host rose
after another close scrutiny of my face
ana shuffied into the next room. / was lef
10 myself for time. was not favombl,
impressed with the proprietor OF CottaR