Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1892-08-19

<S%<s@a-~|sw pass the night at
~S-D little wayside tav-
ern remote from ordinary routes of travel
don't mind confessing that I was
then a good-looking bachelor on the
sunny side of forty, nor that was what
l call a travelling merchant, but most
folks denominated pedler. Now, am
only superannuated old man, tit for
nothing but to tell tales of what hap
pened to him in his younger days.
That was before network of railroads
covered the country, and we Soon
mercial gents who could afford it traV-
eIed in light, covered wagons, carrying
our goods with US. I had been making
longlsh stay in Norfolk, laying in my
stock, and, when my business there was
finished, I started west, intending to
visit some of the inland villages and
plantations. AS I said before, I had got
beIated and beWildered by the storm,
and stumbling on this little lonely house
OF entertainment, determined to put up
there for the night.
I can't say was much pleased with
the looks of things, for more lonesome
and desolate place never beheId; nor
were the countenances of mine host and
his wife more prepossessing. had some
valuable goods in my wagon and good
horse, besides some money, so was worth
robbing and perhaps numbering. It was
Hobson's choice, however, so decided to
make the best of it; and, after sup
per of fried bacon and eggs and corn
bread, | asked to be shown to my room.
1t was a truly wretched affair, that
room, being nothing more than a shed
attached to the rough, boarded cabin
dignifed by the title of tavern, with
single unglazed window closed by a
heavy shutter. I was as cold as the
dickens, and after having my packs
placed in the room and seeing the door
and window securely fastened, I tumbled
INTO bed, not examining the sheets too
closely, but praying that there might be
cover enough to keep ne from freezing.
I soon feel asleep, for | was dead beat
with driving so far in the cold, and over
the vilest roads that ever mortal travelled.
I must have slept for some time, fer
when awoke all the lights were out and
everything was profoundly quiet. What
had awakened me I could not tell, but
all of a sudden I found myself sitting up
in bed, with my eyes staring wildly at
the blank darkness, and my hair stirring
and lifting on my head. A strange feel
ing posse ssed me that something I'M
canny, something dreadful, perhaps
deadly, was near me, but could neither
see nor hear anything.
After waiting for some moments in
that state Of intense suspense which fol-
lows a sudden shock from sleep,
regained sufficient self-possession to re-
member that had box of matches in
my pocket, and l reached out my hand
for my clothes, which | had left lying
on chair by my bedside. Something
moist and warm touched it, licking 1t
like the tongue of dog.
I felt immensely relieved. Of course
it was a dog; dog which had been
sleeping under the bed and had crawled
out to make acquaintance with the new
inmate. lay down, drew the bedclothes
over me, and tried to sleep again; but
could not. The strange, eerie feeling
grew stronger every moment. I could
not persuade myself it was really dog
in the room. A dog would have made
some noise; I should have heard it
scratching or moving about, but every
thing was deadly still.
While lay vainly trying to reason
myself into going to sleep, a soft,
warm touch passed rapidly over my
face. What on earth was it2 What
could it be? Nothing human, I was
sure. Now, Ireally must strike light
and see what was in the room.
With desperate determination I
grabbed my clothes, got the matches
and struck one. As it blazed, cast a
furtive glance around. What I expected
to see l can't say, but something hor-
rible. The match lasted so short
time, it was necessarily brief and i'm
perfect survey, and I struck another,
and another, but could see nothing.
There was an end of talIow candle on
the implanted washstand. But that was
at the other side Of the room, and to
save my life I could not summon courage
to get out of bed. I am ashamed to
confess it, but an absolutely paraiyzing
terror had mastered me. literally
could not stir. : lay still. with closed