Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-10-20

She took him by the arm aud was lead
ing him away, when the sailor stepped
forward, withdrew the murderons knife
from the bed clothes, and handing it to
her said, with meaning look;
Il think you had best take this with
you. And I'd advise you to get Your hus.
band into some other calling, lest his
dreams cost some ody their life.
Grzzle Meade took the knife without
answering o word and led her husband,
who staggered like man suddenly bereft
Of understanding, from the room.
Then the sailor struck light for him.
self with tinder tox, lit the rush, looked
at the window carefully, pushed the bed
by main strength over to the door, and
after satisfying himself that no one could
enter without waking him, once more laid
down and fell sound asleep.
When he rcso the next morning be was
inclined 10 think he had been canning,
but there was tie bed against the door
Then, as the extraordinary experience of
the past night was recalled, the sailors
countenance grew severe. When he went
downstairs it was with very stern face.
Grizzle Meade evidently anticipated a
call for an early breakfast. The table
was spread, but the landlord was no.
where 10 be seen. The landlady dared
not meet tie sailors eyes. She trem-
bled, too A pssy seemed to have over
taken Grizzle Meade.
L have never had so much trouble as
had last night" she said, as she helped
the sailor. My husband has been beside
himself.
"Ayel And did he not get any rest?"
He never closed his eyes until Just
now" m
"So?Andh has he had these-6ts often?"
Never before.
We'll, mistress, there's some wou d
say, if they saw what happened to me,
it is enough to hang him. Many a man
has been hangei for less.
20, sir, if you speak Of it it will ruin
u.s."
NO doubt-without doubt. But il /
do not speak of it it will be because l
must not.
IF you heard the story you would have
pity on us both. My son-our only SON
was murdered in that bed"
The sailor laid down his knife and fork
and looked at her
ut is true. All Salem knows it. But
my son was killed by stranger He
came the night before. He shot my son
and ran away, and no one has ever seen
him since. My husband has never been
the same from that day He would kill
the murderer if he could lay hands on
him. He has murder in his heart, and not
much wonder!'
80? Now l understand the case, I'll
not be the one to ruin any man. Only
if had been asleep
I'VE will give up the inn. 1 will-you
can depend ont.
ut will be best, Mistress Meade.
Il give you my word it will never hap
pen again.
And yet it will be hard 10 let the busi-
ness go. lis likely a good penny you
make in year.
That is the pity. But it can not be
helped"
"Unlcss you could cure him. What DO
the bone settlers say, eh? Have they
looked into t?"
AYE, have they. The best advice, and
there's no medicine for it,"
That's bad"
You'll not think he meant it
"No? Why, didn't he come in the dark
straight to the bed? Didn't l see him
wake up? He was as sound asleep as
ever man was. That l could swear. A
sleep walker--that is what be is.
But he never walked until this trouble
befell us.
Il can believe that. Well, it will dono
good spreading reports. Do you keep an
eve on him. 'Twere best YOU guard all
lodgers we'll. No, no! I'll do you no
harm. I'll make no trouble for honest
people. It's only rogues Id hang.
When be bad eaten breakfast-and he
ate heartily, like man who relished his
victuals--he paid his score and went
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