Year: 1860

On one cold and stormy December
evening. Herbert Deley, an agent for one
of the many Western land companies,
started on his return trip from the Great
West, where he had been to superintend
the sale of tract of land, and carried
the proceeds of the sale, in the shape of
large amount of gold, and drafts on
banks in the Northern cities.


He purchased horse to enable him
to return with more dispatch than by the
slow OK teams that passed weekly through
the town where he was stopping.


He started on his return this bitter
evening, hoping to reach the next town
before nightfall, but in passing through
desolate piece of forest country, his
horse cast shoe, and SO disabled him,
that he thought his only alternative
would be to pass the night in the forest,
and he commenced preparing shelter
for himself and horse, when he saw a
stranger approaching him, of whom he
inquired the distance to the next town.


Its long way" said he you
will find it a difficult matter to reach
there before midnight"


What have | got to stay here in
the forest all night, and in danger Of per-
ishing with cold ?"


No. by ST. Dennis, you won't do
that, you are not in SO bad plight as
you think. Why, we are scarcely FIVE
minutes walk from my own cottage
There you will be welcome to nights
rest, and the best | have got. So come
and follow me-


DeIey obeyed, his horse walking with
difficulty after him, until they arrived at
the house.


His conductor knocked at the door. 1t
was some time before he was answered,
the inmates seeming to doubt whether
they should be admitted.


. Come, come, old woman, hurry up
and open the door,"


"Oh is it you, Jake /? Come in and
don't keep the door open" replied gruff
female voice within, as the door opened,
disclosing to Deley's eyes, tall. mus
cular looking female. with an ugly, re-
pulsive countenance, circled by dirty
night cap. holding lamp in one hand,
and shading with the other.


I" Come in and don't keep me standing
here in the cold"


"Walk in, Mister" she said, seeing
Deley standing behind her husband.


Jake so and put the gentleman's S
horse away"


Saying which. she ushered Deley into
room where good fire was burning
on the hearth. Deley Immediately placed
himself in an easy chair that stood close
by the fire, to dry and warm himself.


Its sharp, biting wind" said the
man. coming in from the shed, where he
had been to put Deley's horse away for
the night.


His eountenance was strange mix
ture Of cunning aud good humor with
black, glittering eyes, short, thick
form. and full neck, that seemed to
offer an ample apology for the length and
leanness Of his wife.


Il wonder what detains my son SO
long l begin to feel uneasy about
him."


His wife was at work getting supper.
when Deley turning to her, said I:


And are you not equally anxious
about your son ?"


Not l." she replied. peevishly.-
" He is no son Of mine /; and il he was,
that is none OF your business.


What do you mean. wife. by getting
out Of humor. and insulting the gentle
man, for asking a simple question ii
you had not looked so cross, he would
never have thought you old enough tc
have son two-and-twenty.
Suddenly loud halo rang through
the forest. and made Deley start.


Don't be frightened. stranger" said
the old man. Its my boy, hope
Yes, here he is y


AS he said this, young man appear
ed at the door Of the cottage.