Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-01-25

inc c.St!t toNu tu ule east uoN INV lu.
one upon either side of the ravine. One
of them not that by which l had
mounted on the previous afternoon
we took upon this walk together.
We had gone about 4 mile or rather
less upon this road when We came up
on the first signs of life. The country
was but sparsely peopled, but here, at
any rate. was some remote and faith
full settler. The inn-for such it was
bore the name of the Woodman and
was. as l conceived, Of the sixteenth
century at least. 1t was small, but the
outbuildings attaching to it rambled
away into the forest behind. The sign
swung, creaking, on a green patch Of
grass before the door. AS we drew
near, a man lounging in front Of the
inn suddenly drew his pipe from his
mouth and touched his hat.
Good morning, Hood" said my COM
panion quietly. pausing and leaning on
his stick. These are very pleasant
days for us all"
'They are, sir" responded the man.
He was of middle height, with a great
appearance Of activity in his sinewy
body, and his thin dark face bore a ha-
bitual expression of polite Difference.
1t was as if his air apologiZed for not
already interpreting your unuttered
wishes. l understood the reason the
next moment.
Mr.. kesteyen, turning to me, nodded
in a friendly way toward the man.
You have heard me speak of Hood"
said he, with a faint smile. He was
the valet 1 mentioned, whom 1 lost a
month back. A month, isn't it, Hood?"
Eyes. sir; just a month-four weeks
and three days. that u.s." replied the
man respectfully.
"Ah, indeed; it's wonderful how long
time tarries,' said my host cheerfully.
Business good, Hood? l hope YOU are
not losing by the experiment. l sup
pose" he said, turning to me again.
that it is a trying position to be in a
subordinate state. Every M likes his
independence"
l assented con%ventionally, and Hood
waited very courteously until l had
made my answer before he took up his
to reply to bis former masters 1ues.
ton.
81 can't complain. sir" he said.
There's not much traffic in the Gwent,
sir, but l do a certain business"
"Ah. l should have thought it a wiser
policy to have gone nearer civilization,
Hood. Why not have taken a place at
Ilanellan:"
A faint but respectful smile lowered
on the mans nervous face. Il don't
hold SO much with Llanellan, sir. This
is a tidy house, and business will i'm
prove, 1 hope
"Well. we'll, let US hope So" was Mr..
Kestevcn's answer as his eyes wander
ed toward the inn. "a pretty place,
is it not, Mr.. Greatorex:' And then
with a glance of scrutiny at the land
lord, You have had an accident,
Hood?''
Eyes, sir" was the answer: "a slight
accident, sir-nothing of consequence.
l fell against the bar yesterday and
he put a finger alphabetically to his
clean shaved lip, which I now per-
ceived to be somewhat swollen.
"a nasty fall, a nasty fall said Mr..
Kesteven, shaking his head. 1T is
lucky it was no worse" He moved
away with a courteous nod Of his head,
to which the innkeeper responded with
a salute. AS he did so he turned and,
taking my arm, smiled back at Hood.
you see the Gwent has it's visitors
sometimes, Hood. Mr.. G%reatorex is
staying with me. So perhaps we may
turn the Woodman in time into a fash
ionable resort of society"
He laughed as if at his own small
jest, in which the innkeeper Joined,
and, pressing my arm, walked on. He
seemed a very kindly master, I
thought, and I had 10 doubt but that
Hood had been an excellent servant. 1
remarked as much, to which he as
sented cordially.
II have never come upon a man who
fell into my ways better and knew his
work more efficiently" he said. can
admirable servant-altogether admira-
ble."
Our walk had exhilarated me and,
what is more, had given me a huge
appetite. The result was that l ate
heartily Of lunch, which was delicately
served by the. agreeable old housekeep-
er. Mr.. Kesteven also seemed to rally
his appetite, for he had eaten but little
the previous evening, and drank a good
deal Of brown sherry, in which he jest
1ngiy invited me to join him. But l
was for the sour or perfumed claret,
which | found much to my palate.
Whether 1t was the sherry or not, my
hosts tongue piled very continuously
during the meal, but always in the
most possessed and civil manner. He
spoke Of his house, of his ancient de-
scent (Which was IL ancient as the
CASTLE and finally Of himself. The Kes-
tevens had been people Of note in 9th
er centuries, had boarded gains and
fulfilled the pomp ven of courts, had
nuttered briefly and very brightly and
In various characters across The stage
OF history. But now they were dwin-
died to this one old feeble man. The
race had lost its physical vlgor. From
contesting tournaments, fighting bat
ties and intriguing against courts II