Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-07-15
THE GOLDEN CROSS.

About the beginning of the late war a
man bent on weighty business, and bear.
ing important dispatches and a large
sum of money about his person, found
himself belated at night in one of the
widest and most thinly populated quar-
tiers of Southern State.
He was in the heart of a dense wood
and not far from a deadly and treacheri
GUS swamp. To lie down to rest would
have been simply suicide; yet he was
worn with fatigue and no habitation ap-
peared in sight. Dismounting he led
his horse by the bride and tried in vain
to discover by the sense of touch the
road he should follow.
4 must find some shelter for the night,
he said. The people hereabOut have not
a very good reputation; but l am not
afraid of men, and 1 do fear swamp fe-
yer and scorpions. I'll call; there may
be some one within hearing" On this
ne sent up shout that proved his lungs
to be in good condition, and followed it
by another and another. After the third
he paused and listened. A faint hello
seemed to echo his, and in a moment
more there appeared among the trees
the figure of an old man who held Ian
in ch &C.
with the other.
Who is that?' cried this parsonage;
'ene of the boys?'
a stranger, said the traveller. I'm
lost in this confounded place. Can you
tell me where can get shelter?
Who are you and where do you come
from?'
4 came from farther north; travelling
on business; my name is Hogan. can
pay for anything 1 ask, and shall be
thankful, too
All right. Come along. My house
amt far off, And, turning, he tottered
away into the darkness.
The traveller put his hand upon the
pistol in his belt and followed him. A
few steps forward, and amid a dense
mass of foliage, they made their way tC
the door of a hut. Within, fire burned
on rude hearth. Over it girl crouched
idly looking into the embers.
That's my darter,' said the old man
We're alone here, and it's a poor place
but you're welcome. Walk in; I'll SCI
your horse is cared for
The girl looked up sharply and looked
down again with flush on her face
The old man drew a broken chair TO-
ward the blaze aud Lit pine torch.
"A fire is comfortable these damn
nights if it is warm he said. MAKE
some coffee and some ash-cake for US
Mamie. The gentleman's hungry. nj
doubt
4 confess 1 am said Hogan, taking
the proffered chair. And do not know
what l should have done tonight with
4 out your hospitality.
| Meanwhile, the girl, a handsome crea-
ture of II, lazily prepared meal. She
moved slowly, but she did not do he
work badly. The coffee smelled wei
and the ash cake was brown.
When it was done she sat apart am
watched the men as they ate and listen
ed to the old mans questions and the
strangers answers.
Afterwsrd she spread upon the floor q
bed of straw and blanket and glideC
out of the room.
Hope you'll sleep well,' said the OLE
man. Good night, sir
Good night said Hogan. but h'
thought at the same time:
You seem to be very hospitable ole
gentleman, but you have the face of &
rascal
Throwing off his coat, he stretched
himself upon the bed, and in five min
utes found himself fast sinking int
slumber. The pine torch hickered OF
the wall, the embers died out in the
CRATE, when suddenly hand rested OIL
his arm and voice whispered in hi:
ear:
Stranger, I've something to tell you.
Hogan started up. The girl knelt be-
side him with her finger on her lip.
Get up she said, and put on youl
coat. The sooner you're off the better
The old man lied when he said was his
daughter; he has gone for the boys. He
said to me just now: I've found out hi:
business. He must have plenty of mon
ey with him. And l know what that
means. There will be four of them
here in half an hour; and you are a
dead man if you don't go now
Hogan started to his feet. Stitched in
in his belt were several thousand dollars
and he remembered that he had chatter
ed away most indiscreetly, fancying the
old man would know no more than he
chose to tell.
I'm fool he muttered, starting to
his feet. This is no silly jest. girl?'
Gods truth. said the girl. I've seen
sights that would make you move faster