The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-13


wind-break of brush and trees piled to
northward to shelter it.
With a sigh of thankfulness I turned
my sled into the path that wound west
ward TO the house and began the work
of pulling it steadily along the narrow
way. h3
To my surprise, for AL had told me great
tales of the hospitality of the Inn, no one
came out to welcome me; but 1 tredged on
thinking mine host of the Inn must be
asleep. AS / drew nearer I was surprised
to see all the shutters closed, and, al
though it was dark, not light shone from
any of the windows.
1 stepped boldly up to the door and
knocked.
No answer came. but from above there
was creaking sound of shutter thrown
open.
rs this Iceberg Imp 1 called out.
For answer the voice at the window ask
ed, How many of you are there?"
"Only one man, but a mighty tired and
hungry one. Come, hurry down and let me
in"
There was a GATHERING sound and in a
minute the door was pulled cautiously
open. Behind it stood an old man and back
of him crouched an old woman, pistol in
her hand.
Don't shoot YETI I laughed stepping
into the room and hauling my sled in after
me, because I've heard of you and 1 know
enough to expect better treatment" Still
laughing 1 pulled off my coat and threw it
on the floor the old man meanwhile clos
ing and carefully re-locking the door.
What do We want?' he asked sourly.
want! Why 1 want to stay all night, the
same as all the others have done and may
be day or two longer"
The old couple looked at each other
Suppose we let him." said the old woman,
but he'll have to take things as he finds
EN-"
That l had made a mistake in the place
was now evident to me. but as the fire
was warm within and night bitter cold
without, 1 thought it best to stay. The
house was safe enough-of that had little
doubt-and as for the feeble old couple. /
had little to fear from them.
While 1 was engaged in my meditations
and pulling off my heavy over boots aud
wrappings, the old woman disappeared,
leaving the old man to assist me.
I'VE can give We supper and bed; and
1 don't suppose yen want any more than
that" he said.
"Oh, no." responded cheerfully, land
don't put yourself to any trouble I'm
used to roughing it,"
At this moment the old woman reap
peared and beconked me into the kitchen.
There upon the table, as though she had
been expecting a guest, lay a plat, a dark
handled knife and fork and a cup; 81 seen
was coming here, the same as all the 9TH
ers."
The expression same as all the others"
| grated upon me, though could not tell
| why.
AS finished eating, leaned back in my
| chair and took out small pocket mirror
| Lifting it to my eyes, to take survey of
my face, 1 was surprised to see in its re-
! Election the old couple bending over some
| thing in the front room; and turning the
glass the better to see, l was astonished
to find that it was my sled. They were
examining it. They had pulled off its COW
| erfngs and were bending over the leather
trunk tapping it with anxious fingers and
| listening as they tapped. "Ho, no." l
said to myself pocketing the glass, Il will
| have to watch this old couple, as we'll as
| guard against outsiders"
At the first sound they rose quickly and
| the old man stepped to the door with a
candle. Guess ven want to go to bed
pretty early" he drawled, wife an 1
| hev fixed the room fer yer"
AS he spoke he pointed up dark, mar
row ladderlike staircase, which evidently
led to my sleeping quarters up above.
Thanks, said / II guess l will turn
in now; and by the way added, as if
it were an afterthought, 81 will take my
| trunk up with me. I've got some things
in it that l may want
At this the old pair looked at each other
| "Tll unpack 'em fer YER said the old
| dame quickly ''but wouldn't take 1t up
if l wuz you. The stairs is too narrow
anyway"
And too narrow they were. At first
eudeavored to lift it on my shoulder. But
I could not getsthrough the low doorway,
and finally giving it up. I rolled it end
over end up the stairs, the old couple eye
ing me evilly all the while.
I'm up safe,'' / called out as breathless
I arrived with II at the top of the stairs;
land as / see my room ahead of me, I
will not trouble you any further tonight"
A minute later had gained the inside
of the small square room, which occupied
! apparently the entire upper floor; and
! had bolted the door behind me-
The room. as l took quick survey of
! il by the light of the open shutter, was
! a square one, devoid of furniture except
| rude bedstead and one chair. There was
no provision for bathing in the morning,
nor, as 1 could see. was there lamp or
! candle.
felt in my baggage for a candle. but
| the last end was gone. I'm have to ven
| ture down." 1 said to myself 'for 1 don't
| propose to be without a light"
As l stepped to the narrow staircase
| some instinct prompted me to go quietly.
| ] crept down the stairs one by one until
l stood on a level with the sitting room.
There seated Comfortably at a pine Ia
| BILE, in the middle of the floor, were the
old couple. a lamp was between them.
! AS 1 paused to take survey of them,
| / heard the Old woman say: Did We
| change the door knob"
mo he got up stairs too quick for me-"
A sound made the Old woman turn
around. What do We want?" she snap
| ped at me.
| could you give me a Eght?" I said.
| Certainly" said she. springing TO her
| feet, IAN 1 will take IL up fer ye."
Ahead of me she sprang up the staircase
| showing remarkable agility for one so fee
ble and by the time I had regained the
top, she was coming out of my room;
while within hickered the light of a sput-
| tering candle.
few minutes later with rebolted door
| I sat in my little quarters looking around
| That there was a night ahead of me 1
felt pretty certain, but how, and in what
| form the trouble would come l could
only conjecture
AT this instant my eye CHANGED to fan
| upon the door knob and for a minute I
| sat and gazed at it in wonder l could
have sworn that it had moved. No! there