The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-10
|0N A KL0NDIKE CLIFF :

Behind it stood an old man and back of him
hand.
Don't shoot yet" laughed, stepping
into the room and hauling my sled in after
me. because I've heard of you and l know
| enough ito expect better treatment" Still
laughing | pulled off my coat and threw 1T
on the floor. uHe old man meanwhile clos
ing and carefully relocking the door.
What do we want? ?" he asked sourly.
Want! Why l want to stay all night.
the same as all the Others have done and
may be a day or two longer"
The old couple looked at each other.
Suppose we let him. said the old woman,
but he'll have ter take things as he finds
SIN. IS
That I had made a mistake in the place
was now evident to me. but as the fire was
warm within sni night bitter cold without,
thought 1t 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 was engaged in my meditations
and pulling off my heavy overboots and
wrappings. the old woman disappeared
leaving the old man to assist me.
I'VE can give We supper and bed; an
don't suppose yell want any more than
that" he said.
"oh, no." I responded cheerfully, "and
don't put Yourself to any trouble. I'm used
to roughing It,.
At this moment the old woman reappeared
and beckoned me into the kitchen. There
upon the table. as though she had been
expecting a guest, lay plate, dark han
died knife and fork and cup. Il seen ye
coming" said she. "an' l know'd ye was
coming here. the same as all the others. "
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, was surprised to see in its re-
Election the old couple bending over some
thing in the front room. and turning the
glass better to see, was astonished TO md
that it was my sled. They were examining
it. They had pulled off its covering and
were bending over the leather trunk tap
ping it with anxious fingers and listening
as they tapped. 'Ho no. ! said TO my
self. pccketing the glass, Il VIII have 70
watch this old couple, as we'll as guaru
against outsiders
AT the first sound they rose quickly and
the old man stepped to the door with a
candle. Guess yell want to go to PED
pretty early" he drawled. wife an 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
.'T,hanks." said /, II guess l will turn IN
now, and. by the way" ] added, as II II
were an afterthought, II will take my
trunk UP with me. I've get some Things
in 1t that I NAV want"
AT this the old pair looked at each other
"I'll unpack 'em for yer" sad the old
dame quickly, "but I wouldn't take it up
II wuz you. The stairs is too narrer any
way"
And too narrow they were. AT first en-
deayored TO lit 1t on NV shoulder But
tt,r niip1ht hp d0OrWQY.
finally giving NJ up. / rolled it end over
end up the stairs. the old couple cycling me
evily all the while.
I'm up safe" / called out as breauhless
I arrived at the top Of the STAIRS w-tn IL,
"and as 4 see my room ahead OF me; VIII
not trouble you any further tonlght.
minute later / had gained the INSIDE
OF Tie small square room which occupied,
apparently, the entire upper floor; ana nau
boiled the door behind me.
The room, as took a quick survey Oh :.
NV the light of the open shutter, was
so,lare one. devoid of furniture except a
rude bedstead and one chair. There was no
provision for bathing in the morning nor
as could see. was there lamp or canaie.
felt in my baggage tor a canaie' put
the last end was gone. I'm have 10 ven
tllre down" ! said to myself, TOT oon
propose to be without light
AS stepped to the narrow staircase some
instinct prompted rue to go quietly. creps
down the stairs one by one until STOOD
on a level with the sitting room.
There, seated comfortably at pine Dap nS
in the middle of the floor were the oid
couple. A lamp was between them; n rs
paused to take survey S.9 % Change the
door knob?" /.
he got up stairs Ss TOO s,s iu Woman aor turn
arm,nd "Wllsat do We want?" she snapped
at me. ,,.,, ..,a
saat .an, IN take 1t UP fer ye."
Ahead Of me she sprang up the staircase.
showing remarkable agility for one 50 Zee tss
ton she was coming out OF my room, while
within flickered the light OF suffering
candle.
7 sat In nv little dusrters looking around.
Irat there Yves a night shead Of me fer
pretty certain. but how. and IN what form