Year: 1862

O2e pleasant evening in the month Of June,
in the year II, d mau was seen entering the
borders of a wood, near the Hudson river
his appearance was that OF a person above
common rank The inhabitants of a country
village would have dignlfed him with the title
of squire, and, from his manner, have pro.
uouuced him proud but those more accaS
toned to society would iuforn you there was
something like military air about him. Hi,
horse painted as if it had been hard pushed for
some miles yet from the owners frequent
stops TO caress the patient animal, he could
not be charged With want OF humanity ; but
seemed to be actuaed by some urgent necessity
The riders torsaking a good road for by
path leading among the woods indicated
desire TO avoid the gaze OF other Travellers
He had not left the house where he had in
quired the direction of the above mentioned
path more than TWO hours before the qujetude
of the place was broken by the noise Of dist
aut thuuder He was soon alter obliged to
dlsmouut {; travelling became dangerous, as
darkness concealed surrounding O'ject>, except
when the lighteungS flash afforded hIm "A mo
mentary view of his situation. A peal louder
and of longer duration than OF any of the pro
cecding which row burst over his head. seem
ing as If it would rend the woods as>under,
was quickly followed by ! heavy fall of IAN,
which penetrated the clothing OF the stranger
ere he could obtain the shelter Of large Ouk
which stood at little distance


A lmUst exhausted with the labors Of the
day he was about TO make such dispositions
of the saddle aud his own coat, as would ena
bic him to pass the night with what comfort
circumstances NO i'd admit, when he espied
a light glmmerng through the trees. Anma
ted with the hope Of better lodgings, he deter
mined to proceed. The way, which was some
what steep, became attended with more obsta-
cles the further he advanced the soil being
composed of clay, which the rain had reude red
SO soft that his feet slipped at every step. By
the utmost perseverance, this difficulty was fin
ally overcome without any accident, aud he
bad the pleasure of finding himself in front of
q decent 10 ,kiug farm hogs". The watchdog
began ba kirg, which brought the owner of
the mansion TO the door.


Who is there y said he.


:" A friend Who has lost his way and in
search of place OF shelter" was the reply.


s." Come in SIR" added the first speaker !;
and whatever my house will aford,yo shall
have with welcome"


- must provide for the weary companion
of my journey" replied the other.


But the former undertook the task, and af-
ter conducting the new conner intO a room
where his wife was seated he led the horse
into well stored barn, aud there provided Tor
him most bountIfuliy. On rejoning the traV-
eler, he observed


' That's noble animal of yours, sir"


Yes" was the reply, and | am sorry
that wes obliged to misuse him so as to make
it necessary to give you so much trouble with
the care OF him. But | have yet to thank you
for the kudness 10 both of US"


al did no more than my duty, SIR" said the
entertainer, " and therefore am entitled to no
thanks But, Susan" added he, turning to
the hostess, with a half reproachful look
" why have you not given this gentleman
something to eat !"


Fear had prevented the good woman from
exercising her well known benevoence fer a
robbery had been committed by a jawless
band of depredators, but short time before,
Ia that neigh orhood, and report stated
that they were all well dressed, her mind sug
gested that this might be one of them.


Al her husbands remonstrance, she now
readily engaged in repairing her error by pre-.
pairing plentiful repast. Daring the meal
there was much interesting conversation be-
tween the three. AS soon As the worthy coun-
lryman preceived that his guest bad satisfied
us appetite, he Informed him that it was now
the hour at which the ia lily usually perform.
Gu their evening deVotlons, inviting him at the
same time to be present. The invitation was
accepted in these words: