The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-09-22
A DROP OF BLOO1

In the summer of 1888 I was emloy-
ed to look after some legal businSs at
Boone Courthouse, w Va. Leaving the
railroad at Brownstown and takig di-
rections and a horse from my landlord
at that point, / set out through the
mountains early in the a~fternooi ex-
pecting to reach Racine in time foEup-
per.
As the afternoon waned, howetr, /
noticed that the road became conSnt-
ly rougher and apparently more ufre-
quented until it was little more tan q
deserted pathway that crossed ant re-
crossed the gravelly bed of a dry teek
In a mad effort TO remain in the narrow
valley that wound circuitously among
the mountains. whose black timbred
SUBMITS seemed to stretch highe1and
higher above me in the gatheringtwi-
light. It being q cloudy day, Twas
completely mystified as to the poi1s of
the compass, and 1t now became evtent
to me that / had in some manne missed
my way. / had already gone too Ar to
retrace my steps before nightfal SO
that unless / speedily found shelter /
would be obliged to pass the nigh in
the open air. "
Being in nowise pleased with his
prospect, / concluded to press ON ALT
tie farther before abandoning the pest
and had barely formed this resolution
when a bend in the pathway brogght
me into full view of what appeard to
be q large, square, southern manson,
surrounded by trees and situated ALT
tie way up the slope of a remarkably
lofty mountain that rose precipitolsly
behind it. h.
A ear approach revealed an nut
ward appearance Of o~yergrowth anddi-
lapidation. The fence had fallen down
in several places. The open gate vas
barely supported by its rusty hines.
The yard was a mass of weeds. The
condition of the house I could notde-
termine in the dim light made dinner
by the heavy shadows of the trees. Be-
tween the tall weeds and briers there
was q wide stone walk leading from
the gate to the front door.
The prospect was not an inviting ore,
hut as my situation had become some
what desperate I determined il possible
to obtain accommodations for the night.
My repeated knocks elected no To-
Spouse beyond a hollow echo, and en-
Guiding the place to be deserted / tired
the door. Somewhat to my surprise it
yielded, the rusty hinges creaking err
ribly as I pushed it wide open. As Ten
tered / was greeted by that musty, life
less odor common to places long clssed
and uninhabited. I had matches With
me, and striking one / looked about me.
/ was in q wide hall. Before me q
dark staircase, partially whitened with
dust, led to rooms above. To the lefi
and right were closed doors, and attach.
ed to the white easement of the Iattei
was a little bracket candelabra contain.
ing a cluster of six half consumed waz
candles. Lighting two of these, ! tool
one of them from the holder. and open
ing the door at my right enterRd.
The room In which / found myself
was apparently the parlor of the desert
ed mansion. The dust covered hairclotl
furniture, which had evidently been fol
many years undisturbed, was of a style
massive and once much i'm vogue. A
number of paintings and engraving
were upon the walls in furnished gil
frames. A large chandelier suspended
in the center of the room was of elabO
rate workmanship. The floor was Gov
cred with a heavy mating, the exac
nature of which / could hardly deter
mine, owing to the thick covering O
dust. Passing ON TO the adjoining room
/ was not disappointed in finding il q
be a large bedroom with all the appoint
ments peculiar 10 an old time southern
home of wealth. I approached the tai
canopied bed In the opposite corner ant
drew back the curtains. 1t was read.
for the guests for which it had SO lon
waited. The bedding was yellow witt
age, but the canopy had protected
| from the dust 1t had not been occupie,
for years.
i confess / was possessed with a sens
of awe amid these surroundings, bu
not being of d timid nature + deter
mined to pass the night beneath thi
roof in preference to enduring the heav
fog that always gathers at night in thes
mountains. Leaving my candle lighted
I returned to my horse and arranged hi
bride rein 80 that he could eat the gras
for a considerable space about him
Then, removing the saddle, / retnrne
with it TO my strange quarters.
Frying open one Of the creaking wiz
dows and its heavy shutters to Let fires
air into the musty apartment, / fasten
ed back the draperies Of the tall bed an
threw back the long unused bedding
the odor of which reminded me of cers
ments. TO relieve this somewhat I cor
cred the pillow with my coat, and II
moving only my outer garments I Ia
down, for I Tas greatly fatigued wit
riding, am exercise to which / was tota
ly unaccustOmed.
NY candle I had, with & few drops 1
melted wax, affixed to a small tab
near the center Of the room, and hayiri
no desire To remain in darkness in th1
lonely place / left 1t burning.
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