The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1908-12-04


sandwiches and apples were good. and
with the addition of some water from a
stream near by, made very acceptable
lunch. When he resumed his walk after
resting couple of hours, the weather had
changed. In the morning it was bright
sunshine. Now the clouds had gathered
| and a storm seemed imminent. To make
matters worse, Walter had managed to
stray from the road. He found himself
| walking in narrow lane, lined on either
side by thick woods. Soon the rain came
pattering down, at first in small drops
but quickly poured down in drenching
shower. Walter took refuge in the woods
congratulating himself that he had sold
the books, which otherwise would lave
run the risk of being spoiled.
Il wish there were some house nearby
in which I could rest" thought Walter
The prospect of being benighted in the
woods in such weather was far from
pleasant.
Looking around anxiously, he espied a
small footpath, which he followed, hoping
but hardly expecting, that it might lead
to some place of refuge. To his agree
able surprise he emerged after few min
utes into small clearing. perhaps half
an acre In extent, in the middle Of which
was rough cabin. 1t was a strange
place for house, but. rude as it was.
Walter hailed it's appearance with Joy.
At all events it promised protection from
the weather. and the people who occu-
pied 1t would doubtless be willing to give
him, for pay, of course, supper and lodg-
ing. Probably the accommodations would
not be first class, but our hero was pre-
pared to take what he could get, and be
thankful for it. Accordingly he advanced
iearlessly and pounded on the door with
his fist, as there was neither bell nor
knocker.
The door not being opened Immediately.
he pounded again. This time not par
ticularly musical voice was heard from
within:
us that you, Jack?"
NO" answered Walter, 1T isn't Jack"
His voice was probably recognized as
that of a boy, and any apprehension that
might have been felt by the person with
| in was dissipated. Walter heard bolt
withdrawn, and the door opening, reveal
ed tall, gaunt, bony woman, who rved
| him in manner which could not be con-
sidered very friendly or cordial.
"Who are your" she demanded abrupt
ly, keeping the door partly closed.
Il am book agent" said Walter.
| do you expect to sell any books here p
asked the woman, with grim humor.
| mo-" said Walter, "but l have been
caught in the storm, and lost my way
Can l stop here over night If the storm
should hold on?"
This isn't tavern" said the woman
ungraciously.
mo, suppose not" said Walter ''bu
it will be favor to me If you will TAX,
me in, and I will pay you whatever 70,
think right. l suppose there is no tavern
nearby"
He half hoped there might be, for h
had already made up his mind that th
would not be very agreeable place t.
stop at.
There's one five miles off," said tn
woman.
That's too far to go in such weather
If you'll let me stay here, will pay yol
whatever you ask in advance"
"Humph!' said the woman, doubtful
ly. II don't know how Jack will like it.
AS Walter could know nothing of tn
sentiments of the Jack referred to, he re
manned silent, and waited for the woman
to make up her mind, believing that sh
would decide in his favor. He proved t.
be right.
"Well," she said, half unwillingly, "
don't know but I'll take you in, thoug
it isn't my custom to accommodate t. ly
elers."
II will try not to give you much trou
ble," said Walter, relieved to find tina
he was sure of food and shelter.
"Humph !" responded the woman.
She led he way into the building
which appeared to contain two rooms o
tho first floor, and probably the sam
number of chambers above. There wa
no entry, but the door opened at ono
into the kitchen.
Come up to the FIRE If you're wet,
said the woman.
The invitation was hospitable, but I'll
manner was not. However, Walter wa
, glad to accept the invitation, witho,
thinking too much of the manner in who
it was expressed, for his clothes wei
pretty well saturated by the rain. Thel
was no stove, out an OLD Drlck nreplac
on which two stout logs were burnin
There was one convenience, at least, abe,
> living in the woods-fuel was abundan
and required nothing but the labor of Gu
G ting it.
c II think I'll take of my Shoes" ga
e Walter.
e "You can II you want to- said his gri
3 hostess.
It He extended his wet feet toward Il
!. fire, and felt a sense Of comfort stealth
, over him. He could hear the rain fa
70 ing fercely against the sides of the cabi
l. and felt glad that he was not compeil
to stand the brunt of the storm.
le He looked around him guardedly, n
p wishing to let his hostess see that he W
Ie doing SO, for she looked like one w
a might easily be offended. The room seel
d ed remarkably bare Of furniture. The
I. was an implanted table, and there we
also three chairs, one Of which had iS
y its back. These were plain wooden chat!
4 and though they appeared once to ha
se been painted, few vestiges of the origin
he paint now remained. On q shelf were
!: few articles Of tin. but no articles
40 crockery were visible. except two crack
ly cups. Walter had before this visited I
dwellings of the poor buk he had uey