The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1908-09-10

Ee stoppcu unoer the SLade OF Z iarR
elm and ate the lunch which he ha,
brought with him from the inn Th'
Z sandwiches and apples were good. ard
, with the addition Of some water from
stream near by, made a very ~acceptabl.
lunch When be resumed his walk afre,
, resting a couple Of hourx, the weather hai
changed. In the morning it YES bright
sunshine. Now the clouds had gathered
and a storm seemed imminent. To mike
matters worse, Walter had managed fc
! stray from the road He found himself
walking in a narrow lane. Iined on either
side by thick woods. Soon the rain cams
patterIng down, at FIRST in small drops.
but quickly poured down in a drenching
shower. Walter took refuge in the woods,
congratulatiDg himself that he had sold
the books, which otherwise would AVE
run the risk OF being spoiled.
Il wish there were some house nearby
in which / 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 be followed, hoping.
but hardly expecting. that it might lead
to some place of refuge. To his agree
able surprise he emerged after a few min
utes into a small clearing, perhaps half
an acre in extent. in the middle of which
vas a rough cabin. 1t was a strange
place for a house, but, ude as it was,
Walter hailed its appearance with 10Y.
AT all events it promised protection from
the weather. and the people who cccu-
pied it 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 10 take what he could get. and be
thankful for ii. Accordingly he advanced
fearlessiy 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 a not par
t~icularly musical voice was heard from
within
rs that you. Jack =
NO" answered Walter, lit isn't JACK
His voice was probably recognized as
that Of a boy, and any apprehension tEat
might have been felt by the person with
in was dissfpated. Walter heard a holt
withdrawn, and the door opening. reveal /
ed a tall, gaunt. bony woman. who wed
him in q manne which could not be con
sidered Fery friendly or cordial.
Who are your she demanded ABRUPT
", keeping the door partly closed.
4 am a o agent said Walter.
DO you expect to sell any books here 2
asked the woman, with grim humor.
No" said Walter, but 1 have been
caught in the storm, and lost my way.
Can | stop here over night if the storm
should hold on?'
This isn't a tavern" said the woman.
ungraciously.
NO. | suppose not" said Walter hat
it will be a favor to me if you viii AXE
me in, and I viii par you whatever you
think right. I suppose there is no tavern
nearby"
He half hoped there might be. for he
had already made up his mind that this
would not be a very agreeable place to
stop at.
There's one five miles off, said the
That's too far to go in such weather.
II you'll let me stay here. l will paw Won
whatever you ask in advance"
~Humph - said the woman. doubtful
;, Il don't know how Jack viii like It"
As Walter could know nothing Of the
entimeuts Of the Jack referred to, he re-
NAMED silent. and waited for the woman
0 make up her mind. believing that she
would decide in his favor. He proved to ,
e right.
Well she said, half u~nwillingIy. Il .
ont know but I'll take you in, though
isn't my custom to accommodate t.Iy-
lers.' {
I will try not to give you much trou- g
le," said Walter. relieved to find that [
e was sure of food and shelter. a
"Humph - responded the m .
She led he way into the building. :
-hieh appeared to ontain two rooms on .
le first floor. and probably the same .
lumber of chambers above. There VAS D
D entry, but the door opened at once |
ito the kitchen. v
Come up to the fire if you're wet v
id the woman. 5,
The invitation was hospitable. but the 4
was not. However. Walter was !
ad to accept the invitation. without !,
too much Of the manner in winch I
was expressed, for his clothes were .
city well saturated by the rain. There d
as no stove. but an old brick fireplace. b
which two stout logs were burning. Ol
lere was one convenience, at least. ab,ut Il
ing in the EoOds-fuel was abundant
ID required nothing but the labor Of cut 50
g it. :,
7 think III take of my shoes, said \
II
You can if you want to- said his grim h
stess. he
He extended his wet feet toward the
2. and felt a sense OF comfort stealing
ar him. he could hear the rain fall
fercely against the sides Of the cl5in II
d felt glad that he was not compelled -
stand the brunt Of the storm. -
He looked around him guardedly, rot vi
shiug to let his hostess see that he was
ng so. for she looked Ike one who Gil
.ht easily be offended. The room seem In.
remarkably bare Of furniture. There loo
5 an implanted table. and there were of
0 three chairs, one Of which had lost ma
back. These were plain wooden chairs, -
I though they appeared once to have
u painted, few yestiges OF the original ieN
now remained. On a shelf were =
articles of tin, but no articles of
r,-- - -s-sITa 1900 49, - fro