Nevada County picayune., 1886-09-08
this dreadful night,n

| placing holly round the pictures, and trimming the Christmas tree.
 But my musings were suddenly brought to a termination. as l had arrived at one of the worst parts of my journey.
 had to take a narrow road that wound itself like a gigantic snake around the rocks aud between the innumerable quarries that were scattered all around.
 But fear was not foremost in my mind, so l darted boldly on my dangerous journey.
 The road is thoroughly danger ous cue to travel upon in broad daylight, for on either hand, for a considerable distance, are quarries coming close to the road side, and without anything whatever to pre- vent an incautious person from falling over. Then come huge rocks that project over the road, which seem to have combined to shut out the sunlight on the bright est summer day.
 There are huge caYerns in the rocks. as though the savage tribes had once made their homes there. Then comes a mighty torrent of water, roaring, dasbing, tearing, hisSing, and foaming from the gid dy heights, until it was lost to sight away down in the ravine.
 No vegetation is found here; It is one of those weird, dismal pla- ccs that seem created especially for the perpetration of murders. A melancholy, ghostly light pervades the place ever at midday.
 The wind sbrieked as it raced around the rocks, and ended in a low, heartrending wall, as it enter ed the caverns.
 Then the moon, appearing for few seconds, revealed some curi- ouSly shaped rocks in the distance, that seemed then to assume the form of some demon or giant.
 1 didn't believe in the superna- tural, but in spite of all my reason ing l wished myself at home.
 | tried to slng, but it was no use Il had not the heart to make it lively.
 l can tell you it was with pleas ure when, on turning a sharp cor ner, bcheld few lights in the dis tance.
 These I knew to proceed from 8 batch of cottages inhabbitted by quarryAcH Even in this forsaken spot these mon have built thelr homes-aye, and they are as dear to them as your comfortable resi- dences are to the city people.
 remembered that there was a public house in the place, aud l determined to call in and rest.
 A few minutes brisk walking brought me to the door, and l can assure you it was not long before l was seated by the side of a blazing fire surrounded by about a dozen big, broad, joyial quarrymen, each spinning his Christmas yarn in his own peculiar manner.
 I sat listening attentiVely for some time, when my attention was drawn to a man who had just en- tered the room. He was shabbily dressed, though far from being ragged. He appealed to us for as siStance.
 | did not like his appearance al together. He had one of those ia .ccs that seem to inspire the behold CT with the idea that the owner is villain
 He had a low brow, that was con tracted by continual frown; small, sray,cruel-lookng ey es,and asqure l jaw.
 As I said before, i did not like l his looks; but thought to myself, "Well, we'll. the fellow can't help bis appearance"
 So 1 ordered something hot for him 10 drnL.
 When it was brought | took out | my bag of money to pay for it. l |nolicod directly the eager look that passed over the strangers face as ! |lc saN it.
 One oG the Qnarrymcn, noticing ] the expression, said 10 him
 "Matc, you seem to have taken a 1 gucy to that money! Maybe you'd