The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1893-06-14

wound like a narrow belt OF ribbon. l
could see for miles ahead and on either
side Of me, and nowhere was there
sign of habitation. All about me, as far
as | could see, there lay only wild, I'M
broken plain, with here and there in
the distance a small herd of grazing
cattle. The solitude of my surround
ings, and the near approach of night,
filed me with dread and feeling of
loneliness that could not shake off,
and for the first time that day l
felt how utterly alone in the
world l was. Night was coming on
and there was no prospect Of shelter, and
the thought of spending the long dark
hours alone on the open prairie was dis
tressing beyond measure. | was hum
cry, too, and weak, and exert myself as
would, knew I could travel little
farther that night and that could not
tramp the distance that lay between me
and the nearest house.
Thoroughly dishcartened l sat down
by the wayside, wishing with all my
soul that. ! could go to sleep there and
never awake again. My mind was too
much confused to admit of any sensible
reasoning and though ! attempted to
decide what was best to do could reach
no intelligent conclusion. So | sat
there while the darkness dcepened
around me, and, recalling all the long
bitter past, afflicted myself with the old
pains that had raclsed my heart SO Oft
en-. thought of my father, now so far
away, and wondered if he wouldn't
feel little touch of pity for me could
/ he see me and understand the desola-
ton of my soul.
1t had become quite late while / sat
there, and the darkness had increased
until could distinguish objects but a
/ few yards away. My mind had drifted
back to the present and was wonder
ing in q confused, uncertain manner,
whether l had better lie down and try
to sleep the night out or whether | had
better drag my weary limbs q little
farther on toward my destination.
was still bordering, and undecided,
when | was arrested by the rumble of a
wagon, which | discovered was APP
preaching from the direction had
come. sprang to my feet and waited
in hopeful anticipation, feeling sure
that whoever the driver might be he
could not, seeing my distress, do less
than take me safely to place of shell
ter.
After the lapse of two or three min
Ia ,,t. ,,,n
saw that its only occupant was man.
knew nothing of the world, nothing
of humanity, as have said so did not
have that distrust of strangers which
my sex acquires from experience.
had no thought of the map offering me
violence, and did not hesitate to call
to him when he drew up where stood.
"What you want?" he demanded,
refining in his horses and glancing
around
81 want to ride in your wagon to a
shelter for the night" replied, "if you
will be so kind as to let me-"
He looked very hard at me for quite a
little while, and some way / did not
altogether like his manner. felt that
there was something Of familiarity i'll it.
80 you want to ride with me, eh?'
he questioned, and at the same time
gave vent to low chuckle. ''Id like
mighty well to accommodate. you, but
I've got wife at home and guess she
wouldn't much fancy the idea Of me
hauling other women around with me
She's awful jealous, she is"
Having said so much he broke into 6
loud laugh which grated harshly on my
nerves and which had the effect o.
frightening me most thoroughly. fell
almost sorry for having called to tho
man, and if my situation had not beer
so desperate should certainly have flee
from him even then.
That's one O. my little jokes" ht
said, letting his laugh cease. 81 aim
got no wife, nor nobody else to inter
fcre with my privileges, SO I do as
please and don't keer what nobody says
If you want to ride with me you can
and welcome, so hop up"
"Will you take me to some place
where can find shelter and food?"
asked, hesitatingly.
"Sartin | WILL" he answered, with (,
queer grin. "I'll take you to my house
whar thar's plenty to eat, and drink
too, and whar thar's plenty O. shelter
an nobody to occupy it but me an you
That's good enough, reckon, SO climl
in an les be trav'lin'."
He extended his hand for the purpos,
of helping me in the wagon, but
shrank away from him and babe hin
leave me alone. He looked at me for ,
moment with evident surprise, then ex
claimed:
"Ho, amt my offer good enough?
offered you all you asked for, and II
like to know what more you want?"
J II want you to 60 away and lesv'
! me-" cried.
"What9 Amt you goin' TO ride witt
J me?" he asked.
J mo, l nm not"
, In an instant he had sprung 70 tn
| ground, and before I could divine hi
/ intentions he had his arms claspe,
. about me. l struggled and screamed
: out in spite of all could do he held m
, fast.
) $50 you won't ride with me, ch?" h
r said. hoarscly. And after aslin' m
, if you could, too. Wen see abou
t that, guess. You've got to do it now
If have to put you in the wagon b
, force and hold you there when you ar
in"
. caught a Whit of the mans breat