Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-04-22

1t, but so nearly were our horses swept
from under us by the swift current Of
the stream and so difficult was 1t for
them to gcin a footing on the steep
embankment Of slippery rocks on the
other side, that, i truth, thought we
would be lost. After much maneuyer-
ing and some desperate chances we
found shallower water little sand,
and triumphantly gained the other side.
Then night came on, and over the
unknown road for a distance that seem
ed interminable we almost felt our
way" And he laughed lightly at the
recollection. "Gaston's lamentations
and curses OF thy country, sweet, and
water running off me in streams, damp
ened mine ardor SO that it was h
detection and rather heartless pleasure
from window ahead of us on the
road. Reaching the house, or, rather,
cabin that it was. knocked loudly for
admittance. A querulous old voice
babe me begone, cried feebly that there
was tavern for strangers mile down
the road, and that we had no manners
to disturb poor sick body at that
time O. night. So we continued on our
journey until we reached house with
signs Of life about it that proved to be
the tavern.
"a solemn visaged landlord received
us. took our order for good warm
supper, called a boy to take the horses,
and we entered.
How great distance to the May
land farm / inquired as he showed
us to room
1.-The Maryland farm?' he repeated
in stupid bewilderment. I ha' ne'er
heard on IT,
Fool! Churlv exclaimed, my pa
thence exhausted by the long series of
discomforts. Thou livest at Cragen-
stone and hath meier heard of the May
land farmv
But this is the village Of Stern
dorf,' he answered. 'Cragenstone lieth
on t'other side of the mountain, across
the forest. Prlthee, sir, it's long, te-
dious, roundabout journey from here
to there Margaret, in my surprise
and disappointment at his information
l could have run him through, SO des-
perate was i. The mans stolid, un-
sympathetic face and no better sugges.
ton to offer than that we abide there
until the ending of the storm mad
dened me, and, as though the fault of
the mistake were his instead of mine, I
babe the fellow begone in my surliest
tones. Twould weary thee, hearts love,
to tell thee all" he continued, with a
sigh-"how the next day the storm
ragged, preventing our departure, and the
next and next; how took counsel re-
peatedly with the idlers about the tav-
ern as to the expediency Of our setting
forth and how they all assured me
gravely that 1t would be impossible to
ford the Skolvent stream. Then grew
pstless and, to my surprise, seemed not
to care; had no appetite; mine eyes
swelled and smarted in my head, fol-
lowed by nausea and hot fever. Then,
dire calamity, was attacked with the
pest called measles, disease raging
IN every house in the village, and lay
Ill of it for near fortnight, and, Mar
garet, when was strong enough ant
safe of contagion to come to thee al
traces of the storm had passed, the
stream was passable, and we rode
forth, with blithe farewells to the So
Der faced loungers about the tavern
door, down the mountain to find the
right road that brought us at last hap
PLY to Cragenstone. Sweet, art glad
to see mel"
Margaret pressed the hand gently
that held hers, saying, with sigh OF
tontent: 'Thou knowest well, dear God.
frey, how glad am !. Such nights Of