The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-05-22
.(Continued.l
CHAPTER XXI.
The Little Picture.

I~HHE cava1cade was well out into
the wilderness east of the Mis-
sissippi on that afternoon Of
49, Oct. 8 in the year 1909. Stop
ping at the wayside taverns which
now and then were found, they had
progressed perhaps hundred miles
to the eastward. The day was draw
ing toward its close when Peria rode
up and announced that one or two of
the horses had strayed from the trail
Il have told you to be more careful,
Peria," expostulated Governor Lewis.
There are articles on the packhorse
which l need at night. Who is this
new man that is so careless? Why do
you not keep the horses up? Go, then,
and get them. Major Nicely, would
you be SO kind as to join the men and
assure them Of bringing on the horses?"
And what Of you, governor"
Il shall go on ahead, If you please.
Is there no house near by? You know
the trail Perhaps we can get lodg-
ings not far on"
1.-THE first white mans house beyond
here answered Nelly, belongs to an
old man named Grinder. TITS no more.
than few miles ahead. Suppose we
join you there@
Agreed" said Lewis, and, setting
spurs to his horse, he left them.
It was late in the evening when at
length Meriwether Lewis reined up In
front Of the somewhat unattractive
Grinder homestead cabin, squatted
down alongside the Natchez Trace,
place where sometimes hospitality Of
q sort was dispensed. 1t was an ordi-
nary double cabin that he saw, two
cob house apartments with covered
space between, such as might have
been found anywhere for hundreds of
miles on either side of the ,A1leghenies
Mt that time. At his call there appear
ed woman-Mrs. Grinder, she an
nounced herself.
Madam" he inquired, could you
entertain me and my party for the
night? am alone at present, but my
servants will soon be up. They are
on the trail in search Of some horses
which have strayed."
"My husband is not here said the
woman. I'VE are not well fixed, but I
reckon IL we can stand tt all the time
you can for night. How many air
there in your partyY
"a half dozen, with an extra horse
or two"
81 reckon we can fix ye up. Light
down and come in.''
She was noting well her guest, and
her shrewd eyes determinedthim to be-
no common man. He had the bearing
of gentleman, the carriage of a man
used to command. Certain Of his gar
ments seemed to show wealth, al
though she noted when he stripped off
his travelling smock that he wore not a
new coat, but an old one, very old, she
would have said, soiled, stained, faded.
It looked as il it had once been part of
a uniform.
Her guest, whoever he Was-and she
neither knew nor asked, for the wilder
ness tavern held no register, and few
questions were asked or answered
paid small attention to the woman. He
carried his saddlebags into the room
pointed out to him, flung them down
and began to pace up and down, some
times talking to himself. The woman
eyed him from time to time as she
went, about her duties.
tSet. up and eat" she said at last.
II reckon your men are not coming"
81 thank you, madam" said the
stranger, with gentle courtesy. do
not let me trouble you too much. I
have been Ill Of late and do not as yet
experience much hunger"
Indeed, he scarcely tasted the food.
He sat, as she noted, a long time gaz-
ing fxedly out of the door, over the
forest toward the west
'Is it not beautiful world, madam? p
said he after a time in voice of great
gentleness and charm. 81 have seen
the forest often thus in the west in the
evening when the day was done. It is
wonderful
Eyes. Some of my folks is thinking
Of going out farther into the west"
He turned to her abstractedly, yet
endeavoring to be courteous.
"a wonderful country, madam" said
he And so he fell again into his
moody staring out beyond the door.
After time the hostess of the back
woods cabin sought to make up a bed
for him, but he motioned her to desist.
ut is not necessary" said he. II
have slept so much in the open that it's
rarely I use bed ct all. ! see now
that my servant has come up and is in
the yard yonder Tell him to bring
my robes and blankets and spread them
on the floor as I always have them.
That will quite answer, thank you"
Peria it seemed had by this time
found his way to the cabin along the
trail. He was alone.
"Come, man." said Lewis. .sMake
down my bed for me, am i'll. And,
tell me, where is my powder? Where
! are the bullets for my nistols? I find