Year: 1864

/. Hat - true, IcJOiutd, buS hoo'


not apply TO my case"


Then you travel on business"


nodded again.


''An agent presume, for some manu-


featuring or mercantile house.
felt the interrogatory to be imperti-


ncnt, but as had fairly set the example,
which my companion was following L


could only nod again.


We had only gone a little way when


my guide took the lead, an arrangement


which seemed necessary, for the road we


had taken was apparently little more than


a bride path winding up the sides and


through the gullies of PERCEPTIONS and


uninhabited hills. Ny companion sci


dom said anything, and if l attempted


TO draw him out, he genrally succeeded


in turning the conversation upon myself


and often, as in the case already men


toned in drawing something from me


which did not care that he should know,


under existing circumstances. Once as


we reached a road bridge across a brook
that came rushing hoarsely down ra-


vine, he checked his horse and looked
about attentiyely, as if he had expected
TO meet some one, or was trying to re
cognize some object. His head was bent
as he rode along and though he appeared
sunk in profound thought, | did not fail
/ to observe something nervous and expec
tant in his carriage.


/ As we slowly climbed upward the mist
\ and vapor became thicker and the low
ering night closed in with speed. Du
ring years Of travel i had become accus
toned to strange positions, but could
not now avoid feeling of insecurity
Perhaps / should have said that did not,
for that kind which one feels on looking
down from a mast head while though his
head swims he has down deep in his
mind pretty substantial conviction that
there is really no risk after all.
The night soon grew so dark that | was
guided only by the clatter of hoofs be
fore me and the sparks struck from the
stones. Up and down we toiled and
stumbled Oh in the thick darkness. L
began to feel that if my sinister looking
companion meant me any harm, he could
not have taken me to place better suit
ed to deeds of violence though ny hand
seldom left my pistol, l knew that in the
darkness L was very much at his
mercy. The strangest of it was that
no inn appeared in sight although /
judged that we should have reached it
some time before. My apprehensions
had nearly amounted to alarm when n
light suddenly appeared and refining up
before a small white house we both halt
ed


Leaning over in his saddle, my com
panIon said in a low voice Il have lead
so far-do you 90 forward now" Twas
not slow to comply and riding up to the
door which | could dimly make out. L
dismounted and raped. An elderly
man soon appeared and without waiting
for any inquiries on my part, he stepped
back, calling upon a boy to take my horse
and returning invited me to enter 1t
was not until had crossed the threshold
that he seemed to notice my companion,
who like myself, had thrown his bride
to the ostler, and was following me in.


"There are two of you, see. Do you
wish for supper, gentlemen ?"


replied in the affirmative, but my
guide shook his head, and pulling his
cap over his eyes, he sat down by the fire
to dry his clothes, for it had already be
gun to rain.


regarded him closely, for he had ex-
cited many conjcctures in my mind, and
1 saw that though apparently inattentive
he was keenly observant of my host, and
of everything about the place. Once in
particular. when a beautiful girl, of eigh-
teen or twenty, tripped into the room
and whispered a moment in the ear of
the landlord, he watched them with
gaze Of more than curious interest. lie
rose up soon after and in voice disguis-
ed from what I had heard it, asked to be
shown to his room


While my supper was preparing, L had
an opportunity to become somewhat ac-
quaiuted with my host. He seemed TO
be about fifty. well formed, though not
stout, with 4 fine open face. and an eye of
much intelligence. He had prepossesSed
me bv the frank and cordial welcome he
had giveu us and his unfeignel desire
to make Ms comfortable, and when he had
sat chatting with me for half an hour, by
his cheerful fire he seemed to me like an
oil friend. rather than a mere innkecper.


The bell rang, and l was shown into All
adjoining room where supper was waiting.
A neat carpet covered the floor. and upon
the hearth y fire burned brightly. There
was no sickish dining room smell, the
table coves was spotless, and the dishes
were arranged with neatuess and taste.
When was seated, the young lady of
whom have spoken, came IN quietly
and gracefully gave finishing touch to
the table. poured out my tea, let down
the curtains and left me to enjoy my
meal alone. As l sat slipping my tea
and iuhailing its fine aroma, nibhling my

biscuit and watching the light glimmers
playing up and down the curtains, | eN-
perienced sense of exquisite comfort
such as l can hardly express.


On my return TO the sitting room, l
found my host less cheerful, and more
thoughtful than when | had left it.


..Do you go in the morning." he asked,


Il intend 20 do so, l replied.


Excuse me, sir, did not know. but
YOU might wish to remain with US, as it
is thanksgiving.


"Iudeed, had forgotten about that
/ had hoped to reach home by that time,
and am afraid my little nest will be
lonely without me. There are not many
to come to it, and there is the more need
they should all be there


..And have not many to come home,
said my host with much feeling; land
perhaps none, perhaps none Yet there
il ono or there WAS one-whether he Is