Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-02-21
CHAPTER XIX.

In the quiet mouse OF MT. Jake OluloH
the unfortunate woman who had fol-
lowed her worthless husband across the
seas lay on a snowy bed attended by one
of the kindest creatures in the world,
Mrs. Simon. The farmers wife found
her heart going out to the poor creature
who had been so cruelty deserted and dis
carded by the man she loved.
It was at the close Of a dismal day in
the early part of February that the fam
ily were gathered about the great, broad
fireplace, in which the flames from the
hickory logs were cracking and roaring.
Two Of the younger boys were watch
ing pair of apples simmering and blub-
boring on the hearth. The farmer sat in
his armchair smoking his pipe and list
ening to the pleasant chatter Of the ur-
chins. Mrs Simon sat in another corner
by her spinning wheel, busy as usual
and the Oldest daughter was knitting
stockings. The visitor sat in an easy
chair, her great dark brown eyes Oh the
bright, sparkling flames.
The farmer suddenly looked up and
asked:
"Where is Tom?"
Don't know" answered the woman at
the spinning wheel "Ain't seen him since
supper"
just then there came the sound of rap
id footsteps from without, the door was
flung open, and Tom, red-headed youth
of fourteen, suddenly burst into the room,
out of breath, and eyes wide open with
excitement.
"Hello, Tom. what's the matter?"
ooh! daddy-run everybody-the evil
;,,,i1 h. 1ol
"Silence. We untxuthful lad! How dare
We make use O. such language cried his
pious sire.
"'Cause it's so, daddy-every word on
it is So l saw him!' painted the youth.
Hes comm down the hill with baggy
breeches an windin' sheet wrapped
about his head"
Here the door was opened and an OBJ
ject appeared on the threshold which
at once threw the whole household into
q panic confirming the assertion Of Tom
that his satanic majesty was coming. The
boys shrieked and clung to their parents.
The father was frozen with terror, the
mother on her knees, and the daughter
dropped her knittinfi and fed to the attic.
The object was black man fully six
feet high. with baggy trousers and a
white turban. lie had great, white rings
il his ears, made of ivory, and his whole
appearance was so strange, so mysteri-
Gus. so unlike anything these simple peo-
pie had ever seen, that aone cannot won
der that they were thrown into a panic.
in the name o the powers, who are
We, and what do We want?" cried the
father.
"Obcjah Sahib, juggler. l be too hun
cry and too cold for comfort" was the
answer.
At mention of the name and sound of
the voice Ruth Sanford leaped from the
chair in which she had been lost in pain
full revere over her desertion and reject
cd love. and hating cried:
"Away-away! murderer.
''Do you know him. asked Mr.. ST.
mon. his teeth chattering.
'.Yes-oh! heaven. l know him, though
years have passed since | gazed on that
hateful face. He murdered my ms ster
and mistress
The Hindoo closed the door and stood
with his back to it. apparently not in the
least disconnected at the terrible aceusa-
ton. AS soon as the farmer was FULLY
satisfied that he was not "Old MEX, J"
he became more composed and dispo
to treat in some way with his visitor.
The Hindoo >was really suffering from
hunger.
Ruth Sanford after she had overcome
her first shock, sank back in her chair,
aud gazed at the black face before her.
Tie farmers wife brought some bread,
AID warmed over some of the pork and
beans, which she placed before him. He
declined the offer of a table, but squat
ted cross-legged in a corner, while he
ate Mr.. Simon turned to the woman
in whose mind the appearance Of the
Hindoo had revived some bitter recollec
tions. and asked:
Where did We ever see this strange
critter?''
I'm Calcutta, India She answered.
He was conjurer, a snake charmer and
juggler.'
did re say he murdered some one?"
My master and mistress, whom / low
ed. died from poison, and he was suspect