Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-03-18

mind was that | extended my tour Il
little farther than | at first intended.
On the fourth day | was surprised by
storm, and sought refuge under the
shadow of an overhanging 1ock; but
darkness came on so rapidly that l
had the agreeable prospect of passing
the night in the open. | also noticed
that l had lost my way, for l suddenly
came to an unknown path; and it
seemed to me that it would be worse
to turn backwards than to proceed. !
listened attentively, hoping to hear
the barking of dogs that might indi-
cate the proximity of some human
habitation, but in vain. After follow
ing the path for few moments it
seemed that | saw light glimmering
through the darkness, and [ immedi-
ately continued in that direction. /
had to ford small stream, and then
found myself in front of house.
Aroused by the barking Of dog, some
one came out. Replying to his inquiry
or to who was there, | explained that
| had lost my way, and was greeted
by cordial invitation to come in,
which | did.
AS l entered 1 was confronted by
two people, who were gazing at me
attentively. One was young man,
with strongly marked features, and
the other sweetly pretty young wo-
man. 1 explained to them that I
would be satisfied with the most SIM
pie food and bed, if they would take
me in for the night.
"You are heartily welcome" the
young man replied, "my wife and /
will endeavor to make you comfort
able" He then introduced himself
by name, and informed me that he
was the owner of the little farm and
mill, after which he provided me with
dry clothes, and when 1 re-entered
the room found that his wife had
meanwhile prepared good supper.
They both seemed pleased to have me
as guest, and | certainly felt very
contented as l leant back and enjoyed
smoke with my host. While we
were talking, large white cat jumped
unceremoniously on his knee, but Sc
clumsily that I looked at it more at
tentively, and saw that one of its legs
was far shorter than the other.
"Has she been soldier and
wounded in the WARP" I asked, laugh
ing.
"Not exactly" he returned, smil-
ing, as he gently stroked the cats fur
"but she lost part OF her leg i'll a fight
for booty; she is, in fact, the founder
of our fortune"
/ looked at him in astonishment.
''It's fact" said he, nodding hi
head and taking his wife's hand.
snow that you have aroused IN,
curiosity, you must crafty it,
"It's long story" he replied
"However, if you ure willing tc
remain up another half hou
I'll tell it to you. 1 am th
son of a well-to.do farmer, who's
property was situated about thre,
miles distance from here. As the onl,
child, / was the heir to the farm bu
one misfortune after another seemed
to pursue US. Our land was inunda
ted by flood, two horses died il
one week, disease broke out among
our cattle, and to eclipse all, m,
father became involved in lawsuit
in which she obstinately refused t,
yield an inch. Mortgages had to b,
taken up, and at my fathers death
found things SO deeply involved tina
we surrendered everything to ou
creditors. I was serving in the hus
sars. My only aunt, with whom
I had become better acquainted at IN,
fathers funeral, always reproache,
him for his fondness for litigation
and this had caused some dissensio
hetween them. But to me she ha
always been friendly. I knew sh
was well-to-do, and my father had ofte
complained about her penuriousness
as she had refused even to len
him $40. was somewhat astonishe
and panied to find that she decline
to help me toa respectable position
telling me should learn to paddl