The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-09-14

l had reached a spot where the road
dipped down into rocky glen, known as
"Pedlar's Hollow" from tradition that
pedlHr bad been murdered there III by
gone years and robbed OF his Tack. At
the opposite side of the glon there was "A
pretty stiff ascent which / knew from
experience had to be taken easily.
| had just pulled in tho mare ut the
foot of this incline, when upon lifting
my head, l thought / saw dark blotch
on the white face OF the hill. The next
instant il seemed to merge into the sur
rounding gloom. Fixing my eyes steadily
upon point just beyond IL, the object.
whatever it was, took q moro distinct
shape. aDi | became convinced II was
moving rapidly toward mo. l am not
given TO be superstitious-wo medical
men generally lean more TO the material
than To the spiritual-but really on the
present OCCASION, felt cold chill creep
ing up my spine, for my thoughts invol-
unfairly turned TO the deiunCt pedlnr,
and the possibility of his restless spirit
having returned TO visit the scene OF his
tragic fato.
Ny apprehensions on this point. how
ever, were speedily set nj rest. As tho
igura loomed out Of the darkness, | saw
that not only was it creature of flesh
and blood. bnt a very substantial one,
too-a tall, powerfully built man, as far
as | could make out. But who could it
bef-and what on earth brought him out
on this lonely country road at such an
hour, Of su1h night AS | asked myself
these questions, an idea suddenly oc-
CURED 10 me scarcely less startling than
tie first Could IL bo possible there was
any truth in the strange rumors current
among the country people, and this was
the mysterious stranger OF whom
had heard 80 much of late?
How these rumCrs had originated ! had
Ia ~ "A /
regarded them rs mere idle gossip. They
were 20 the effect that mana gentle
man, from all accounts-was In the habit
of roaming about these roads at ali hours
of the night. and in all kinds of weather.
Tho strange part OF IL was, no eye ever
remembered having zen him In the day
time. hut Of his nocturnal wanderings
there appeared 10 be abundant evidence.
debated farmers, returning home from
distant markets, had frequently EN-
coGntereI him upon the high road; the
Inmates OF wayside cottages had grown
accustomed 10 hearing his heavy foot
steps ia the dead Of night; urowsy car
rier. stretched on the top OF his load. had
more than oncO heen startled bv his ap-
pronoh and watched him 70 strining past
with "a teenng Ot super stitious awe. some
assorted that he occasionally muttered tn
himself as he went OH nis way; uthors
declared they bad heard Linn cry oIt as II
While ali this wns passing through my
mind, the stranger had rauidly approached
until tho light from my lamps began To
play M on his tall figure. Suddenly he
stopued sbCrt and drew aside toward the
hedge, shading his face with his hands,
as IL the glaro dazzled or hurt his eges.
| look ed at him i'm surprise and wonder.
Whit STRUCK me most In his appearance,
| emOmbor, was tho fact that he was
dressed I'm an ordinary shooting suit
Norfolk Jacket, kniUk9fblckors, and
teaktd onp-Nithout coat, cloak or
covering oi any sort TO protect him from
the tomuostuous weather. lie was ovi-
deutiv drenched through and through by
this time. for judging by the way he was
splashsd with mud &c must nave teen spn
the roGa fer hours Just o. my whccls
were on line with him ho faced round
slowly, and glanced mp at NE from under
his ham.
"PatdOn me. - he said politely, "cnn
you tell me if / am on the right road for