Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-06-12
ON A MOUNTAIN IN VIRGINIA.

msouutnins Vi S1rglnlh, iOuHu my Sol" W
lated and far from shelter, in the face OF
fast approaching storm ! was on horse
back, and travelling on business agency,
with considerable sum OF money about me
belonging 70 my firm.
nv situation was not pleasant, nor Alto
eether safs alone on mountain road and
surrounded by trees, which would be good
conductors Of lightning when the storm
came on, while both my horse and myself
were ready 10 drop with fatigue. About
I've miles behind me had passed through
little village, which offered good enough &C.
comrnodation for me and my jaded steed,
but pushed on, hoping to reach the small
town some ten miles further on, which had
been my intended stopping. place, from busi-
ness considerations
At the village had learned That l would
fnd no intermediate house of entertainment.
my informant adding
al know the man on the mountain will
not take you in."
"And who Is he ?" had asked, carelessly
enough, not expecting to be dependent on
this irhospitable stranger, as ] did not
donbt being able to reach the town of l.
by nightfall.
a. His name is Scott" was the reply, al but
we call him the man on the mountain be-
cause no one else lives up there. He has a
dumb wife, and some say lunatic brother
At any rate the brother Is seldom or never
seen. snd is halfwitted or something OF the
sort"
"a pleasant household but hope not to
trouble them tonight" l said, indifferently.
This dialogue recurred to me now that
night, and the storm were drawing near to-
gether, and my horse having struck lame, /
had little hope of going much further. The
roll of thunder and the deepening twilight
warned me TO make what haste such impeded
powers of locomotion would allow, and as |
nesred the highest point OF the mountain
road, a vivid flash of lightning lit up the
house of which was in search.
IL was low, stone building, enclosed by a
high and strong fence, with a gate chained
and locked. woman was in the yard
drawing water from the well and apparently
in hurry to get back to the house before
the storm burst in full fury. 1 called to her
repeatedly, but she only looked once at me,
shook her head decidedly, and retrested to
the house.
"This is the dumb wife," 1 thought, and
nothing daunted by her discouragement |
renewed my shouts.
They were very imperative now, for the
rain was pouring down in torrents, and the
thick darkness was only relieved by occa-
sional flashes OF lightning. l was drenched
to the skin, and feared for the clothes in my
valise, although they were protected by oil
cloth.
At length gruff voice called out to know
what wanted.
"a nights lodging" shouted hoarsely,
for was well nigh exhausted by my pre-
vious efforts.
"You'll not get it here, so 60 on your way
wherever you are going" was the harsh re-
Joinder, but noticed that his language
iarly good, not like that of totally ilIterate
person.
I" can make it worth your while-will pay
any price, said imprudently enough, but
exposure to the storm was making me des-
perate.
My last words had their effect for in a
minute more the door cresked on its hinges,
and man with lantern emerged from the
house. AS be came nearer, and held up the
lamp to scan my features, observed him in
my turn, and saw before me man of mid
die age, short and stout, and with the most
viilainous-looking countenance that i had
ever beheld.
"Get down and come in, and don't keep
me waiting" he said sulIenly. "What
made you stop here? never take in stran-
gers"
"SoI perceive" l replied, dsmounting
as quickly as / could, and preparing to bring
INV horse inside the enclosure.
'Don't do that l cannot take care OF yonr
horse You will have to turn him loose, ~
said the man roughly.
"Well, he cannot wander far in this storm,
and he's lame into the bargain but l would
like to give the poor beast something TO
eat"
81 have nothing for him 10 eat, and after
the rain is over he can Craze about on the
mountain. At any rate, he can't come in
here SC take your traps and come along"
Making virtue of necessity, unsadded
my horse, and, loaded down with bridle
saddle and valse, followed my rel uctant host
into the house. He did not offer to relieve
me OF any part of my burden, only SAYING
briefly as we entered the dwelling
''My name is Scott; what is yours?n
"Llnton," L replied as curtly, for / was
thoroughly provoked at his churlish de-
meanor and ielt very uneasy about my horse
As Tor myself, fully expected to be- laid up
with rheumatic fever alter being soaked with
rain.
The room we entered was long and low,
and seemed To serve many purposes, being
evidentlp used AS kitchen, sitting-room and
bedroom. The woman / had seen before
was STOPPING over large Iron pot suspended
in the wide fireplace, and stirring the con-
tents preparatory TO taking them off the fire
She did not notice my entrance by look or
sign, but went on with her occupation until
her husband, going up to her, made some
rapid signs, in obedience 10 which she left
the room.
81 have sent Madge ont while you put on
your dry clothes" he said to me then, and
added with sneer, "Iour sleeping cham.
ber is not yet ready for you"
Again noticed his good, clear English.
ana now little 1t harmoniZed with his man.
ner and surroundings. / lost no time how
ever, in obeying his injunction, feeling en-
barrassed meanwhile by his close scrutiny
TOOK care not to let him see that | wore a
Delt containing some money which belonged
to my company, but saw his keen ewes rest |
on my watch and pOckstbook, and secretly |
congratulated myself on having brought a
silver watch with me on my rough and /
dangerous journey.
SCOTS sinister glance also took in nv nis
tois, which somewhat ostentatiously laid /
on the table while dressing, intending after
ward To resume possession of them.
When the woman came in l was quite /
ready To partake of some very nice soup
winch she served To her lnshapH