Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1903-12-17

and | quickly dismissed That IDEA from
nv mind A clump Of alders had
sprung up below it in picturesque con-
fusion, while number of knotted and
twisted grape vines swaying pendulous.
ly to and fro, suggested gloomily Of
/ hangmen's ropes or Grains, and almost
expected to see a shrivelled form dang
| ling from their embrace as many a
! highwayman used to dangle in chains
on the heaths of Old England.
The appearance of the place was any
thing but reassuring. 1t was so uncan-
ny that / expected ghostly inhabitant
to make its appearance, and as examln-
ed it fancied | saw an unearthly face
peering at me from the single small
square window on the side nearest me.
But hitched my horse in protecting
clump of cedars, for the snow flakes
were now flying fast and turiously,
veritable snow squall--and struggled
up the steep and slippery path leading
of the door to the strange habltation'
At the top of the ascent | turned to
the left and found myself before heav-
ily built door of rough-hewn plank, and
knocking for admittance, was immeul-
ately babe to enter by harsh and for
bidding voice. A sense of fear seized |
me, but a second glance overhead at |
the driving storm impelled me to ac-
cept this single chance for shelter, so |
boldly entered. No sooner was ! fully |
in than the door was closed by an un-
seen force with bang that shook the
building. and facing about found my
self before one of the most evil-looking,
forbidding and repulsive bags | have
ever seen. She was fully six feet tall,
OF massive frame and powerful muscles.
, Her skin was smoky yellow, and drawn
-. l., hon
which was set with deep, cavernous
eyes, glaring like the eyes of panther
! lurking in the depths of thicket. Like
! that of savage animal, her counte-
: nance denoted ferocity mingled with
. firmness of design. 1t was the face OF
: one who would not be thwarted in any
I purpose, however wicked and cruel.
e A harsh cacklS of laughter behind me
!. cause me again to turn, and IL l believ-
n ed che bag | had just seen to be fend
o as one Justly might have done, glance
q in the opposite direction towards the
q other voice, would have strengthened
h the impression, and confirmed the fact
A. that | mad fallen into a den of hays.
d For, if one had the face and appearance
4 of Gorgon, the other might by like
synonym be called Medusa. Meth
70 er of the pair would have passed as an
e gels of light in a congress of demons.
IA But what caused such a sweeping as
h sertion, you say? A diminutive bag,
n lean and wrinkled, was looking at me
,e with the eager look that child might
ST show at receiving some coveted toy or
ID the fierce Joy of cat about to play with
" wretched mouse, and her look sent
in chill through my blood, The pleas
N ure she evince1 at seeing me was too
real, to plain, to reassure me, and feel
I ing of impending evil made me shudder.
I'd And her appearance was even more re-
& voting than her sisters If one was
g. the representative of evil, the other
NJ was its instigator and accomplish.
in | rushed to the door to leave, and as
at | stood there vainly fumbling at the
h. fastening the room was filled with the
NJ dabolical laughter of the two hays who
mo- derided my attempt to escape. In vair
w | beat against the massive door. 1t de-
on fled my efforts as if had been dwar
Ia beating against the postern gate OF I
or castle, and at last l gave up the futile
he struggle, and turned to demand an ex
~ PLANTATION of this strange treatment
I'd "Why am delayed here, and what i
ne the meaning of this gross violation o
IN the laws of hospitality?" | iercely de
NO manded,
,iss Because" replied the eldest hal
q
ar because we knew you we're coming"
in Knew ] was coming" echoed
,er "How know?"
cb Slowly she answered and with tn
nd tone and action of sibyl, 1--WE kno'
he because we have been informed"
ON "Why do you detain me here agains
nd nv will?" / cried. II sought this plac
o1, to find shelter from the storm, and
I'D find only reason to be alarmed an
inf troubled"
ON mo harm will come to you," she re
as piled IF you do not fail us. We hav
err been waiting many years for you. HaV
ay. we not, sister,"
we Thereupon the younger bag nodde
al her head in assent, and raised frigh
hIa full laugh tn 'ough her toothlesS gums
ose A huge black pot was simmering owe
nod the Goals in the yawning chimney, an
,nt the lurid reflection from the leapin
-be flames that encircled it was cast on
&c black cat of monstrous proportion
which, crouched before the fireplace, Wa
nv looking at me in manner suggestiy
az of desire to rend my flesh and tas
ar nv blood. Instinctively raised cha
NO. to defend myself against the creatur
tba which even then sprang at me, Will
,er the two hays with loud cries seized M
am | resisted stoutly, but their strengt
mn was superior and l was soon OVerCOm
ro. They bore me to a little closet, thre
,ter me in, and shut and fastened the door
Painting and half-stunned totter'
n to my feet, and cropping in the darkne
bsr for the door, tried to force my way GU
mo but with every effort l made | cou
o9 hear the hags on the other side burstil
,,as out in paroxysms of diabolical Taught
i,os mingled with the savage miaulings
Jsn the cat, whose claws doubtless, judgil
ne from the many deep scratches th
-. ~ panied me had more than once be-
Dad sunk in my flesh.
ON ASH CROPPED around ! discovered
,rn. little window in my prison, butso sma
e. that could with difficulty thrust n
.oo head through il. But could only 81
&c the creek rushing far below me, al
,tod the gaunt limbs Of the trees tossing
~ the Intervals Of the snow storm. The
'ycs was absolutely no chance for escaT
= ~ and despairingly abandoned hope
,bfs wait through the long hours Of teri
"a bic night what the morrow would brin
o., And as ! sat in the darkness pondC
- ing over my strange condition strong
90 and stronger grew the feeling that
- had sometime and somewhere .dream'
nh, am this, and strove but vainly to d
~. sover the outcome Of the situatio
'itt Yet IL was like the solution Of a pu
roc. zle, and racked my brain gill the vel