Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1911-07-06
THE UNCANNY
STRANGER
By SHIELD ESTHER DUNN
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

LII lHe SOOu Olu cOlOuy IllueS when
travellers. instead of spinning along
smoothly in a parlor car. were bumped
over dirt roads in stagecoach on
the post road between New York and
Boston. in the state of Connecticut,
there stood tavern. Before it swung
a sign on which, under portrait of
King George ILL.,, were the words The
Royal Arms" In the room which in
those days was called 1.-The bar" sat
a number of persons, some drinking
from pewter mugs.
THE up coach will be late tonight"
said the landlord. going to the door
and looking out. THE road is bad
enough at any time, but on such
night as this it is we'll nigh impass-
able"
the building, and those in the room
fortified themselves with pull at the
mugs before them.
"A bad night to be on the road" said
man in a brown coat and buff
breeches.
"And a merry one for ghosts" put
in a red headed. blear eyed person
whose wig. being awry, gave evidence
that he had drank too much.
Those about him looked at him pro-
testingly and with something of awe.
"If there's any of 'em about" spoke
up a fresh importation from the EN-
erald Isle. you're the first Of us that
they'll be visitin'."
A creaking and a splashing were
heard without. and the coach drew up
to the door of the tavern. A man OF
somber appearance descended from
the vehicle and stalked into the bar.
His eyes were set deep in his head
and surrounded by dark circles, his
cheek bones high. complexion a whitish
gray.
Luggage, STRIP said the landlord
inquiringly.
Luggage. l need no baggage. l
wish lodgings for the night only, and
on the morrow l shall proceed on my
Journey
The stranger attracted the attention
of every one present.
There's something queer about
him." whispered the man in the brown
coat to the lrishman, who was cross
ing himself with his finger under his
coat The landlord, who was looking
over the keys to his rooms with
view to selecting one for the stranger,
turned and said:
! mo chamber vacant tonight. sir.
Sorry"
Il sleep tonight" replied the guest.
''in No. 12.'
His back was turned to all save the
landlord. so that no one could see his
face. but they all saw the landlord
No. II. The stranger took it. put it in
his pocket and. sitting down at ia
BILE. called for a glass of hot punch.
In a corner sat 9 young man with
hook nose. Il little newspaper and a
mug of grog before him, who did not
seem to share the superstitious dread
Of the others for the mysterious stran-
ger. Instead Of shivering this young
man looked at him almost insultingly.
The sOmber man returned his gaze
with his great melancholy eyes, but
failed to strike terror into him.
What dye mean" whispered the
Irishman. "by angerin' the man? Meb-
be he's a ghost"
"Ghost!" replied the other contemp-
tuously. "I'll pull his nose for shil-
ling. There are no such things as
| ghosts"
The somber man turned. You
would pull my nose for a shilling" he
cried. his deep set eyes lighting up
with a flare. ''I'll give you chance to
pull your grandfathers nose for f2O."
"My grandfather has been dead these
thirty years and is not likely to come
back to earth for the purpose Of get
ting his nose pulled"
For EGO, l say. Pll have him here.
If fail. Ego is yours"
II have but IS. Cd. Will that serve"
mo. Now cease your talk
Come, neighbours" said the man
with the hook nose. cant you help me
to show up this pretende~"
The cupidity Of those present over
balanced their superstition, and they
began to feel in their pockets for coins.
Twenty pounds was made up among
them, each man to receive as much in
addition at the winning of the bet as
he put in. and handed to the man with
the hook nose. The stranger produced
as much.
"Who shall hold the stakesY' asked
the hook messed man.
Hold them yourself"
Twill not one of the gentlemen do as
welI?"
mo; you alone will know which
wins"
"All right" And the hook nosed
man pocketed the money.
Now" said the stranger, handing
him his key. ''go to No II and stay
| there till the bet is won or lost"
| The hook posed man did as he was
| bid. and the stranger. sitting down in
the corner left vacant, apparently sank
| into q Slumber Presently a terrible