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

window-shutters, and Idevoutiy thanked
God it was over and that had lived to
see daylight again.
As soon as | could see clearly, I got
up and cautiously moved my bales, shud-
dering in anticipation of finding the hand
l had cut off last night. But what was
my establishment to find neither hand nor
candle, nor even stain of blood on the
floor; nothing, actually nothing, to tell
Of last nights horror. Had il then
really been only dreadful dream2
All, the knifel I eagerly snatched it
up. Yes, there was the red witness,
plain enough, still wet, and crimsoning
the blade from point to handle. Yet on
turning again to the floor there was no
stain there, aud on close inspection it
looked solid plank from end to end.
WELL" thought I, ''of all the queer
places l ever heard of, this one
takes the lead. But for this knife
1 should be tempted to believe
the events of last night only a vivid
dream. This, however, is indisputable
evidence of what happened, and of one
thing am very certaiL-the sooner get
away from here, the better for my
health"
wiped the knife GA the skirt of my
coat, and placed it in my bosom, taking
very good care to have the handle con-
venient for laying hold of. I thea
opened the door, not without many in
ward misgivings, and calle1 to the land
lord to bring out my wagon.
He soon appeared, sullen aud logged
as ever, but saw no change in him
since last night. He offered me break
fast, which at once refused; not for
worlds would have eaten or drunk in
that house. I was in fever of impa-
thence to be off, and after paying his bill
in the smallest chan ge I had, and with
out any unnecessary display of wealth,
stood by and watched him replace my
packages in the wagon, and harness the
horse. | did not offer to assist him; |
was too much afraid OF being taken at
disadvantage. I kept my hand on my
trusty weapon, and never took my eyes
off the surly villain. His amiable help
mate did not make her appearance, and
I thought could give shrewd guess at
the reason. I made no inquiries after
her health, but jumped in my wagon
and drove off.
To this day I cannot account for my
escape. The fellow must have seen that
I suspected him, and must have guessed
at the witness to his attempted crime
which [ carried with me, yet he made
no effort to stop me. I can only sup
hn onf oPT wi
his brutality, and dared not attack me,
| knowing me to be armed and on my
guard; especially after his accomplice
| was disabled.
It was nearly two years afterward that
| was travelling the same road again, and
passed by the scene of my memorable
adventure. had, I ass Ire you, no in
tention of calling, but I found the ap-
pearance of the place so changed that l
made sure it no longer belonged to my
former friends, and curiosity tempted
me to stop and ask what had become of
them.
Everything about now wore a thrifty
and cheerful look, aud so did the come-
ly dame who answered my knock. Upon
inquiring after the former occupants, I
heard. without surprise or regret, that
they had at last received the punishment
they so richly deserved. The disappear
ance of traveller, who was known and
expected in the neighboring town, led to
suspicion, and suspicion to search.
"And would you believe, sir" con-
tinued the good woman, "they found
trap-door in that shed room there with
false floor, and under it was a deep hole
with the travellers body in it, and the
| skeleton of another man and dog, poor
thing! They killed him, suppose, for
trying to defend his master. Aud the
wicked wretches was put in Jail and
hung, and we bought the place dirt
cheap because it had such bad name.
Some folks says it's haunted, but laws!
[ AIM seed nothing, aRS amt scared
of ghosts nohow."
l did not disturb her comfortable
skepticism by relating my experiences
in that house, but I believed then, as
believe now, that supernatural warning
saved my lift on that night of terror.
Romance.