The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-08-31
A DROP OF BLOOD.

rections and horse from my landlord
at that point, set out through tho
mountains early in the afternoon, ex-
pecting to reach Racine In time for sup
per.
AS the afternoon waned, however, I
noticed that the road became constant
~ rougher and apparently more unfre-
quented until it was little more than
deserted pathway that crossed and re-
crossed the gravelly bed of a dry creek
In mad effort to remain in tho narrow
valley that wound circuitously among
the mountains, whose black timbered
SUBMITS seemed to stretch higher and
higher above me i'll the gathering twi-
light. 1t being a cloudy day, l was
completely mystificd as to the points of
the compass, and it now became evident
to me that had in some manner missed
my way. l had already gone too far to
retrace my steps before nightfall, so
that unless l speedily found shelter
would be obliged to pass the night in
the open air.
Being i'll nowise pleased with this
prospect, l concluded to press on a lit
tie farther before abandoning the quest
and had barely formed this resolution
when bend i'll the pathway brought
me into full view of what appeared to
be large, square, southern mansion,
surrounded by trees and situated "a lit
tie way up the slope of remarkably
lofty mountaip that rose precipitously
behind it.
a nearer approach revealed an out
ward appearance Of overgrowth and di-
lapidation. Tho fence had fallen down
i'll several places. The open gate was
barely supported by its rusty hinges.
The yard was a mass of weeds. The
condition of the house could not de-
termne in the dim light made DINNER
by the heavy shadows of tho trees Be-
tween the tall weeds and briers there
was wide stone walk leading from
the gate to the front door
The prospect was not an inviting one,
but rs my situation had become some
what desperate l determined if possible
20 obtain accommodations for the night
My repeated knocks elected 10 re-
Spouse beyond a hollow echo and con-
Guiding the place to be deserted tried
the door. Somewhat to my surprise, it
yielded, the rusty hinges cracking ter
ribly as pushed it wide open. AS 1 on
tered l was greeted by that musty, lifs-
less odor common to places long closed
and uninhabited. l had matches with
me, and striking one looked about me.
was i'll IL wide hall Before me
dark staircase, partially whitened with
dust, led to rooms above. To the left
and right were closed doors, and attach
ed to the white easement of the latter
was little bracket candclabra contain
Ill, or e -. l.. -
candles. Lighting two of these, l took
one of them from the holder, and open
ing the door ut my right entered.
Tho room i'll which | found myself
was apparently the parlor of the desert
ed mansion The dust covered haircloth
furniture, which had evidently been for
many years undisturbed, was Of y style
massive and once much in vogue. A
number of paintings and engravings
were upon the walls in furnished gilt
frames. A largo chandelier suspended
in tho center Of the room was of elabo-
rate workmanship. The floor was COW
cred with a heavy mating, the exact
nature of which 1 could hardly deter
mine, owing to the thick covering of
dust Passing OH to the adjoining room,
l was not disappointed In finding it to
be large bedroom with all the appoint
ments peculiar to an old time southern
home Of wealth. 1 approached the tall
canopied bed in the opposite corner and
drew back the curtains. 1t was ready
for the guests for which it had so long
waited. The bedding was yellow with
age, but the canopy had protected it
from the dust. 1t had not been occupied
for years.
| confess l was possessed with sense
of awe amid these surroundings, but
not being of timid nature I deter
mined to pass the night beneath this
roof i'll preference to enduring the heavy
fog that always gathers at night in these
mountains. Leaving my candle lighted,
returned to my horse and arranged his
bride rein so that he could eat the grass
for q considerable space about him.
Then, removing the saddle / returned
with it to my strange quarters.
Frying open one Of the creaking win
dows and its heavy shutters to let fresh
air into the musty apartment, 1 fasten-
ed back the draperies of the tall bed and
threw back the long unused bedding,
the odor of which reminded me of ccre-
ments. To relieve this somewhat I coy
cred the pillow with my coat, and re-
moving only my outer garments lay
down, for was greatly fatigued with
riding, an exercise to which was total
~ unaccustomed.
My candle l had, with few drops Of
melted wax, affixed to small table
near the center of the room, and having
no desire to remain in darkness in this